Dyer’s yellow was a flawed decision

SHANE WILLIAMS

WALES AND LIONS LEGEND

THERE’S no point beating around the bush and waffling on about positives because what we saw at the Principality Stadium was what I expected. I hoped Wales wouldn’t lose by so many points, fall to their heaviest defeat under coach Warren Gatland in 133 fixtures, concede more than 50 points and eight tries, both firsts during either of his stints in charge, but it happened.

Gifting interception tries and making mistakes galore contributed to the avalanche of points racked up by South Africa … but let’s put the 52-16 defeat in perspective.

This was mostly a rookie and experimental Welsh line-up against the World Cup holders. The Springboks fielded a massive and hugely experienced line-up and played at a fast tempo. They had bags of power and performed at an intensity which was streets ahead of what England offered against Wales in their previous two warmup fixtures ahead of the global showpiece.

It was perfect preparation for South Africa ahead of meeting Six Nations kings Ireland and a dangerous Scotland in a group of death at the World Cup. Make no mistake about it, the Springboks will be a right handful in France and possess the strength in depth to challenge to become only the second nation to land back-to-back tournaments.

Wales’ youngsters found out just why the likes of Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel and Willie Le Roux are world stars.

When I looked at those names and then at that of the Wales team I thought: ‘Oh sugar, this could get ugly.’ And it did for, at times, it was men versus boys, despite the determination and effort of the Wales team.

The amount of tackling they had to do in the first half, against such big and powerful runners, was bound to tell eventually. Wales weren’t helped by the penalty try that never was or the touchdown that followed seconds later when Mason Grady blundered.

Let’s deal with the penalty try first. South Africa right-wing Canan Moodie had clearly over-run the ball as he chased a kick and had missed his chance of gathering it. It may have touched a hand before flying off a hand of the covering Rio Dyer. I don’t think Dyer knew much about it and I didn’t feel it was a deliberate attempt by him to bat the ball out of play.

Irish referee Andrew Brace initially said he thought Moodie had “gone past the ball” but didn’t seem to get much assistance in making the right call from TMO Joy Neville. At best, it may have been a penalty to the Springboks but, yellow card and a penalty try? No way. It was an incredibly flawed decision and had a profound impact on proceedings.

Wales were only three points behind at that stage. But, with Dyer in the sin-bin, they were in trouble and South Africa went for the jugular with Kriel cashing in on Grady’s seeming to throw a pass after being forced over his try-line rather than ground it for a 5m scrum to the Boks. Grady is a young player with big potential and he will learn from it. That’s what this match was about.

Jac Morgan

PICTURES: Getty Images/Alamy

So what were the positives to come out of it for Wales? I thought Dyer was the best Welsh player. You could see, by the expression on his face and his reaction to being shown the yellow card, he felt the referee had got it wrong.

Dyer returned from the bin and impressed, with his footwork, excellence in the air and work-rate. He has been Wales’ most consistent wing during the three warm-up matches and I’d play him against Fiji in Wales’ opening match at the World Cup, in Bordeaux on Sept 10.

I hope confidence isn’t dented by the size of the reverse against South Africa and the youngsters learn from it. Most won’t be in the match-day XV for Fiji. I would pick only five of them – Dyer, Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright, Will Rowlands and Elliot Dee at hooker – if Dewi Lake is unfit.

Morgan would be my World Cup captain. He is growing as a leader and has done everything asked of him by Gatland. Even in adversity against South Africa, he made some steals and had a positive impact.

Jac has probably been Wales’ best performer at forward over the warm-up matches. He works hard, with and without the ball, and I know, from talking to players, he is well-respected by his teammates. My full-back would be Liam Williams. He was terrific against England at Twickenham and has got a CV to match. Liam has been there and done it, so to speak, and is a world-class player.

It would be a toss-up between Josh Adams and Louis Rees-Zammit on the opposite wing to Dyer. Centre? I’m none the wiser following these matches and am disappointed Kieran Williams wasn’t given more of an opportunity. George North will probably get a slot.

I’d plump for the experience and leadership of Dan Biggar at outside-half with Tomos Williams at scrum-half and Gareth Davies being used as a potent weapon off the bench.

The scrum has to be stiffened for the World Cup and be able to hold its own, so it would be scrummagers Gareth and Henry Thomas starting for me. Wainwright and Taine Basham, who is sensational with the ball and brings something different, would form my back row, along with Morgan.

Will Rowlands would be at lock but I’m not sure who would be his partner. I suspect Gatland will pick Adam Beard against Fiji but he needs to up his work-rate, be more assertive and lead the pack.