Warren Gatland's Wales side has taken its fourth Six Nations grand slam crown since he took over as manager back in 2007. Most of the hard work was achieved with an almost perfect first half performance which saw the Welsh side go in 16 points to nil at the close of the first half.
Wales' two New Zealand born players, Hadleigh Parkes and Gareth Anscombe scored all 27 points between them. Anscombe kicked 20 points while his compatriot scored the opening and only try of the game just 2 minutes after kick-off.
Anscombe hasn't been given an easy ride by Welsh fans over the past four years. But as Wales secured the Six Nations 2019 title and the Grand Slam in front of their own fans at Cardiff Park, he answered his critics in the best way possible with an outstanding display of rugby. Not only did he score seven out of seven with a masterful display of kicking, but he also set up the opening try for Hadleigh Parkes.
Warren Gatlin, when asked about Anscombe's performance, said it all as he replied that the 27-year-old wing-half has an outstanding game.
Anscombe gets his Welsh pedigree from his mother (Tricia), and he was christened Gareth after the great Gareth Edwards.
When the tournament first got underway, Wales didn't look like they would be champion Grand Slam winners. In their first game against France, they were trailing 16-0 at halftime. But in a dramatic second-half turn-round they ended up sealing the most incredible fightback in the history of the Six Nations, winning by 24 points to 19. The win was their tenth on the trot.
That first result clearly showed Warren Gatland's men's resolve and was an indication of what was to come. It might not have been pretty, but the best teams in any sport have to be able to grind out results even when they are not playing well, which is exactly what the Welsh did in their opening game.
Wales' win over Ireland was their 14th successive win and was a fitting end to Gatland's Six Nations career as head coach. His role as manager will end for once and for all once the impending World Cup comes to a conclusion.
Even though Wales have achieved their third Six Nations clean sweep and will now be ranked second in the world behind his native New Zealand, Gatland is hoping to remain beneath the radar of the World Cup, although that wish seems a little forlorn.
Having said that, they have a good draw and will be appearing in Pool D alongside Australia, Fiji, Georgia, and Uruguay. With their odds are currently 9 to 1, they could be considered to be dark horses. When the World Cup draw was made, Wales were ranked eighth. The top nation in their pool at that time was Australia who were ranked number two. They are currently ranked sixth. With the top two teams from each pool going forward into the quarterfinals, Wales are virtually assured a place in the quarterfinals. The Welsh squad will hold their preparations at training camps in Switzerland and Turkey.
