Toyota City (Japan) (AFP)
Shaken by the dismissal of assistant coach Rob Howley, Wales introduced the addition to Georgia, swept (43-14) Monday at Toyota, and reaffirmed his ambitions at the World Cup.
Forget the stares, the questions around Rob Howley, Welsh rugby icon, returned to the country early last week against a backdrop of suspicion of illegal gambling. And especially play, think only rugby.
The Welsh have largely fulfilled their objective, reciting especially in the first period their rugby movement against a complicit and naive adversary especially at the back lines.
Considered by some observers as potential entrants in the Six Nations Tournament, the Georgians were unrecognizable in the first forty minutes, multiplying the fouls and even engaging in a dramatic reverse on the first scrum, yet a home-grown specialty.
The Leek XV won the bonus point even before half-time (29-0), with four tries, including two on the pitch, with the intervention of winger Josh Adams served inside.
By the way, the Welsh recited their ranges of "flat passes" and race lines to find (easily) spaces in the Georgian defense.
After such dominance, the Welsh struggled to maintain the same involvement in the second half, especially as Georgia had recovered its legendary sting in the locker room.
This newfound desire has allowed the Lelos to register two attempts to zero passes through Mamukashvili (penaltouche) and Chilachava (shelling). Meanwhile, Tomos Williams and George North scored the last two trials of the Leek XV.
"We had a good first half, with some nice tests, we were very happy at half-time," said Welsh coach Warren Gatland, "then it was a bit messier, and we're happy with the gap. and take the bonus point ".
A signal sent to the future opponents of the Welsh: the authors of the Grand Slam in the 2019 Tournament are vulnerable under pressure ... However, as soon as the volume increases, they are difficult to stop.
Australia, next opponent, first place in Pool D in play Sunday, surely learned the lesson.
© 2019 AFP