Monday, February 09, 2009
Wales too good for Scotland at Murrayfield
"This has been a tough place for Wales to come over the years, so I have to be happy with the result.
"We have put ourselves in a good position, but we are bearing in mind that there are four games to go - and only a six-day gap before facing England. That will be very physically demanding for the guys."
"I was delighted with the accuracy of most of our play, but there is also plenty for work on, Gatland stressed.
"It was also important for us to maintain our discipline, and - other than the late yellow card for Martyn Williams - we did that."
Despite many missed place kicks, Gatland wasnt concerned.
Maybe it did put us under a little pressure at times, but that will be sorted out."
Tom Shanklin, Alun-Wyn Jones, Leigh Halfpenny, and Shane Williams all scored for Wales, with Max Evans grabbing Scotland's only try.
Welsh powerhouse centre Jamie Roberts, named man of the match, said he was looking forward to playing England at the Millennium Stadium.
"It was an absolutely fantastic performance first half - they had us on the edge of our seats at the end but fair play to Scotland they made us work hard," said Roberts.
"I'm looking forward to next week - bring on England."
Time: 05:04
Posted at 10:04 am | 45 comments
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Viewing 45 comments
Anonymous February 09, 2009 11:33 am
that kicking job by stephen jones wasnt any good, let halfpenny do the kicksor bring hook? why isnt hook being playedfirst btw
Anonymous February 09, 2009 11:45 am
a solid win. About what you would have expected against the easybeats of scotland. The score could have been bigger if they got some kicks too.
roddymac February 09, 2009 12:03 pm
Aye well wales just too strong for us. They destroyed us in the scrums and too good in the backs. We definately missed Murray in the pack and hopefully max evans will start for us nxt week he's our version of shane williams maybe even better haha well better looking anyway!! Really impressed with andy powell fantastic player who plays with real passion. Too anon making the 'easybeats' comment piss off and well worked out that the score would have been bigger if wales had got more kicks!?!
Anonymous February 09, 2009 12:11 pm
Good game for the first 60 mins, good move by Gats to make the mass subs due to the 6 day turnaround before Wales face England.Next week should be a cracker.
No.5 February 09, 2009 12:27 pm
Interesting debut for Cross......he is in the starting line up, he gets knocked out, and he gets sin binned.......quite a busy day!
Abs7 February 09, 2009 12:32 pm
Not a bad wales, still room for improvement!couldnt understand why scottland didnt play max evans from the start with his brother because they have been scoring tries for fun this year!! oh well, England next week, come on Wales!!!
jonmac February 09, 2009 12:34 pm
My favourite moment of rugby this year...Martyn Williams going over to deliver rough justice to a player unconscious on the floor. Bad day at the office!
jacobo February 09, 2009 12:50 pm
why didnt scotland get patterson out from the start ???? GO IRELAND !!!
mat February 09, 2009 12:56 pm
was impressed with scotland in places, they play with more ambition than previously. be good to see more of the club form for the country though.M william was never a yellow card he knocked on making a tackle.Webster who knocked himself out making a high shoulder tackle on williams deserved to go though, at least a penalty to wales.tough game away to france for scotland. hopefully they can build on club form in Hein Cup if they can do that they will really competeFrom wales good to see set piece working, that is usually our achilles, our play in the loose is always good. are complete now. and look to be dealing with pressure well, usually the opposite for wales
welshno7 February 09, 2009 12:58 pm
solid performance , couldnt fault wales , maybe a little room for improvement in the lineout ?very pleased with jamie roberts , running over the gain line every time he touched the ball , cant wait for next week now!
Timbo February 09, 2009 1:26 pm
Shows what a great job Shaun Edwards does in coaching defence. Wales' D snuffed out everything Scotland threw at them with ease. Evans' try was individual skill and strength. Also Scotland scrum without Euan Murray and Nathan Hinds was not like the scrum that gave the Springboks/All Blacks problems in November.
Anonymous February 09, 2009 1:31 pm
"easybeats of scotland"I love it how Scotland have a few bad year and Wales a few good, and all of a sudden uv acting like the bloody EnglishWhat a wank!
cheyanqui February 09, 2009 2:05 pm
Two disappointing observations related to player safety:I was thoroughly disappointed to see Simon Webster stay on the pitch. It was pretty clear on his initial hit, he had lost consciousness, and thus should have been yanked.Second was my disappointment with Martyn Williams on the Scot #3. The Scot #3 clearly took out Lee Byrne, and the card was on. He had no need to grab him. Had he bothered to cool his red head a little bit, he would have seen the player was clearly knocked out. And given that the guy was out cold, grabbing him by his jersey and shaking him was dangerous. But I guess Williams -- already a victim on the Webster play -- was a bit tired of the Scots playing so chippy.Credit to Rolland for pointing out both situations telling Scotland to pull Webster, and telling Wales to not put hands on the Scot.We all realize that this isnt tiddly winks, but player safety should be respected.
geraint February 09, 2009 3:03 pm
Good win but put pressure on ourselves with so many missed kicks. Still need lots of work on the lineout. Shame to see so many subs brought on at once as it killed the game. Looking forward to the england game, had to be on bloody valentines day though didnt it. Martyn knew what he was doing he definitely knocked that on on purpose to stop them from scoring. And no need for anonymous to say stupid things like "easybeats", have some respect and dont be a prick.
Anonymous February 09, 2009 3:38 pm
Wales v Ireland and France v Wales should be a great open running games judging by the games just gone.Written by Kenny
mat February 09, 2009 3:45 pm
you say that but both teams will be cautious of each other attacking power that the games are very tight low scoring encounters.scot - italy games have been some of the most entertaining over the last few years, both poorer teams make each other look good. i wonder if there was a hint of that in the ireland - france game??
Anonymous February 09, 2009 4:11 pm
yeah that makes sense Mat, the great teams play crap and the poor teams play well!?!, i think u have been fiddling to many sheep on the welsh highlands Mat, Ireland France just seemed to rip into each other. Remember wales still have 2 play France and if i remember rightly you have to play them in Paris so good luck playing a "poor" team lol.Written by Kenny
Anonymous February 09, 2009 4:14 pm
I liked how Scotland tried to play much more with the backs, if they improve that I think they won't get the wooden spoon (I'm NOT trying to be a dick)
Matt February 09, 2009 4:51 pm
Hey guys, good performance although took our feet of the gas in last 20!and to the annonymos who thinks we're turning english lol. We're having a good spell. and being consistent for once:) much better than the 2005 grand slam year last year.Its going good for once.
Cragdoo February 09, 2009 5:09 pm
Williams played the referee to perfection, constantly infringing in the ref's blind spot. As for his attempts to 'rough' up Cross , I hope he realises he could have done more damage than the intial incident by moving an unconcious player , what a dick. BTW did anyone notice the trip on Cusiter by Bryne when Cusiter was clean through late in the game. Seems being Welsh player is an excuse to get away with alsorts , but well played
durrie February 09, 2009 5:12 pm
Wales look to be well drilled. Every man knows his job and the scrum was immense...that tight head on the 5m line was HUGE!Wales defense was solid although Scotts didn't really test it at all and the only two men who did were Evans who scored and Patterson who nearly scored.It's plain as day that the ELVs are making this game about speed of the ball and momentum going forward...you have to go through the phases to score nowdays unless you capitalise off your opponents mistakes like England did.The Scotts did this in the final 15 and were camped in the Welsh 22 without points only because their basic skills kept letting them down and the Welsh pack was just too strong as a unit...
durrie February 09, 2009 5:18 pm
Agree with you about Williams Cragdoo... I remeber Collin Jarvis who is possibly the worst commentator I've ever seen - explaining how the welsh pack kept holding up the Scottish ball...i.e. infringing!The cherry on the top of this is that he selected a clip of Williams totally off his feet and stretched right through the ruck knocking the ball out of Cusiters hands...i.e. as professional as a foul can get.The bottom line is this...Williams played out of his sock in the prime ordeal open side flakers role of making an absolute menace of himself...but...Alain Rolland...is possible the poorest ref on the circuit.
Anonymous February 09, 2009 5:24 pm
The worst ref is the one in England-Italy, that idiot missed every penalty in front him from both sides. That's why I hate southern referees, they let the game keep going after somebody's head is rolling on the floor, altough Nigel Owens stopped the game after every phase
Alain February 09, 2009 7:14 pm
im tired of the six nations already rd.. plz put up a super 14 preview ..
Anonymous February 09, 2009 7:15 pm
Did nobody have a look at cross in the reply. Eyes on the ball didn't even know bryne was there still a penalty but sin binning was harsh there was no intent. Think rolland was trying to make up for the mistake he made with websters tackle that should have been reversed. Reffing was poor allowing the welsh to lay on the ball and kill any speed in the scottish attak depending on your point of view clever play or just frustrating.
Sheep for pleasure February 09, 2009 8:16 pm
Great from Wales, but still more to come, theres so much depth in the ranks. When Henson and Mark Jones are back, woh goes on the bench, Shanklin or Mark Jones? Views please.
Anonymous February 09, 2009 8:40 pm
fire frank hadden, get a decent coach who can choose the best side instead of leaving out in form players eg thom n max evans alaister kelock should replace jason white in second row and get passionate scotland!
Anonymous February 09, 2009 9:58 pm
alot of flair from the welsh side and some good use of ofloading in the tackle just like they showed in the autumn. if they can keep ireland down then the grand slam could well be theirs again although i can see the friday night game in paris potentially being a struggle. dont see england or italy offereing much of a problem to the welsh judging by last weekends form, also hook should be played more as he is a player constantly improving. also good to see phillips make a good comeback from injury, lets just hope henson and jones can do the same and then gatland is going to have almost too much choice amongst the backs, not a bad position to be in really aha
Anonymous February 10, 2009 10:17 am
im sorry to say but i have to agree with anonymous. Scotland are easybeats atm. They lack flair, backline ability, they never look likely to score tries or even threaten the opposition defence. They wont make the quarters in the next world cup if they dont lift their performance. Wooden spoon for this years 6 nations !!! YER SCOTLAND YOUR REALLY GOOD!!! GO THE WALLABIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
geraint February 10, 2009 11:53 am
Why would shanklin go on the bench instead of mark jones, or vise versa when jones is a winger and shanklin is a centre?? I'd keep henson on the bench if he's back because he hasnt played much. And i'd keep halfpenny playing as i don't really rate mark jones.Cross looked at Byrne just before he took him out, you can't deny it. Watch it again. And martyn reacted because he just took out his team mate in mid air, as soon as he realised he was out cold he let him go, he would not have grabbed him if he knew he was out.France and Ireland should be the main challenges left for Wales but we should be wary of England and Italy too.
Anonymous February 10, 2009 12:09 pm
aNyone nows why gavin henson didnt play???however that n.12 was absolutely outstanding and shanklin made a huge effort too !!! great work for the welsh!!!
Anonymous February 10, 2009 12:18 pm
I think scotland recently (the last few years or so) have only looked dangerous in the last quarter or so.....it seems to be when they are losing and they need to get some points to help their chances in the tables. i know in the last quarter winning teams tend to sleep a bit when they have a comfortable lead, but scotland actually work well and perform well. its almost as if they cant do anything but basics when they are under pressure, and even then things go wrong.......but once the pressure eases slightly they perform really well. i cant remember what year or what match, but scotland were losing and then the dying moments they scored two tries through actual skill..........i think the scrums really missed murray, hines and euan. the backs needed paterson.....im not sure about blair or cusiter, i think they are both excellant scrum halfs, blair is great at keeping his head on but perhaps lacks in flair sometimes, whereas as cusiter is sometimes just flair and doesnt always make the right choice, but other times his quickness catches the opposition offguard........anyway...
Anonymous February 10, 2009 12:27 pm
Scotland are easybeats? Is that why they were leading against South Africa in the AI's? (not bad considering the lack of players at their disposal)
Billybob February 10, 2009 1:14 pm
Atleast the scottish are gracious enough to admit they lost to a better team, if wales beat england next week it'll be because england were poor or bad refereeing not cos of how well wales play... Good on the scots and i hope they beat england.
USA Scrum-half February 10, 2009 1:44 pm
Anyone else see a possible attempted trip by Shane Williams after he offloaded to Leigh Halfpenny for the try? Shane looks to reach out with his arms and get tangled in the legs of the player attempting to tackle Halfpenny. Tough to tell without a slow-motion replay.
Cragdoo February 10, 2009 2:08 pm
watch the game back and around the 74:30 mark , Scotland make a good break , where evans delivers a good offload to Cusiter who makes a clean break , watch Bryne as he half-manages to trip Cusiter ... but it;s ok hes' Welsh and is allowed to get away with such things
geraint February 10, 2009 3:19 pm
"but it;s ok hes' Welsh and is allowed to get away with such things"What a stupid comment
T February 10, 2009 10:26 pm
Why the hell was Max Evans not started? Him and Patterson were the only Scotland players that looked like they wanted to play, and they were subs.Max Evans has got to start now... for christ sake, he is fearless, so's his brother.And why not Jackson at 10?
ieuan February 11, 2009 1:56 pm
Cragdoo it is very annoying when theres cheating on a rugby pitch against your team but if scotland had cheated and gotten away with it then it would have been great play. Got to take it on the chin rather than saying stupid comments.
NeathExport February 11, 2009 8:45 pm
I went to scotland with a few of the lads for the game and i have to say its one of the best most hospitable places to go and watch rugby. Great people, great rugby and a great weekend.
Anonymous February 11, 2009 11:55 pm
im welsh and i thought scotland given the way they played in the autumn were really going to give us a hard game, i think the 2 evans' brothers should have started for scotland. Good game of rugby though
Anonymous February 13, 2009 9:40 am
two words..... SCOTLAND SUCKS. Up the wallabies go you good thing!!!!. Cant wait to see Scotland get dominated again they suck so much they shouldnt be allowed in the 6 nations. Replace them with Georgia.. they put up a better fight. Scotland meant to be the bravehearts...i see a lot of surrender atm. C'mon get some heart and have a go ya softies. The wallabies can show ya how its done ya cats
Anonymous February 13, 2009 3:07 pm
I will Never Forget this game, ever!! it was the last me and my father watched together!!
bazza February 14, 2009 12:36 am
to anonymous 2 above me scotland A beat georgia 69-3. so much for them putting up a better fight. So just shut the fuck up u have no idea wat ure on about.you may have forgotten but wales beat australia about 3 months ago. Just cause scotland arent as good as wales dont ridicule them u wanker.
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