Ruddock: Slam shows Wales can tackle the best

Mar 18 2008 by Andy Howell, Western Mail

MIKE RUDDOCK believes Wales can challenge the giants of world rugby this year – if everyone sticks together after their “fantastic” Grand Slam.

The former Wales coach, left, warned it was essential WRU powerbrokers got the management side of things tied up as quickly as possible.

Ruddock said it must be a top priority to persuade defence guru Shaun Edwards to sign a deal through until the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

Edwards, who had an agreement with Wales for the Six Nations, has expressed a desire to remain part of his pal Warren Gatland’s Welsh set-up.

The rugby league great spoke out before England hold a review into their Six Nations campaign with the possibility the Wasps coach could be offered a significant job in the Red Rose set-up, perhaps even as head man if Brian Ashton departs.

Edwards said his Wales future was “still up in the air” as Wales mastermind Gatland and WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis signalled their intention to strike a deal with the Great Britain 13-a-side code legend.

If the pair can do that, Ruddock, the man at the helm of Wales’ 2005 Grand Slam, believes it will help Gatland’s squad challenge the southern hemisphere big guns.

Wales meet World Cup holders South Africa in two Tests – Bloemfontein on June 7 and Pretoria a week later – and host them, New Zealand and Australia at the Millennium Stadium next autumn.

Ruddock’s Wales side came close to ending 51 years of defeats against New Zealand when they went down by a point to them in 2004.

They also came close to beating South Africa during the same series, losing 38-36. It was those performances which gave them the confidence to kick on in 2005 and win a first Grand Slam in 27 years.

Ruddock, whose coaching revolution at Guinness Premiership Worcester Warriors has began to transform fortunes at Sixways, reckons there isn’t a better time to be facing the Springboks.

He said, “Wales has a coaching team that is all pulling in the same direction.

“Everyone is reasonably optimistic about the future because, if you look at it, South Africa will be rebuilding and refocusing themselves after a change of coach.

“So the worry about going there in the summer is not as great as it would have been.

“Then there are going to be a lot of other teams in transition, looking to rebuild after the World Cup and to play new combinations.”

Wales have never won an international in South Africa – their only victory over the Springboks was the inaugural match at the Millennium Stadium in 1999 – but, with confidence soaring following their astonishing Six Nations clean sweep, anything seems possible.

The Boks could be without top locks Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha and other Europe-based players, while the future of new coach Peter de Villiers is clouded amid a row over who has the final say in selection.

De Villiers took the job on the proviso he could pick whoever he wanted in his team but there has been suggestions that won’t happen because of the quota issue.

Australia are eminently beatable and there is a school of thought Wales would have accounted for them at the 2007 World Cup had Gatland and Edwards been in charge.

New Zealand have lost a stack of top players, including Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Luke McAlister, Byron Kelleher, Doug Howlett and Aaron Mauger overseas, so will be in rebuild mode.

Ruddock, though, warned Wales have to “learn” from past years when they have created something special only to tear themselves to shreds afterwards.

“There is a great opportunity for Wales in the autumn internationals to really build on a Grand Slam,” he said.

“It will be great to see what can be achieved when everybody pulls together.

“Warren is an intelligent guy.

“He is very pragmatic as well as successful and you realise it has only just begun for him.

“I also think key to that is getting the coaching team all sorted out and contracted out and learn some of the lessons of previous years and that everyone pulls in the same direction.”

Ruddock was alluding to what happened to him after the 2005 Grand Slam with player-power, acknowledged by star centre Gavin Henson recently, being an issue.

Behind-the-scenes wrangling was a factor in Ruddock stepping down from his post in contentious circumstances during the 2006 Six Nations, just three days after Wales had beaten Scotland in Cardiff.

As for the 2008 Grand Slam, Ruddock was resting up before Worcester’s Premiership basement battle with bottom side Leeds Carnegie, which ended in a 10-10 draw.

But he was a passionate TV viewer the previous day when Wales triumphed 29-12 over France at the Millennium Stadium to secure the European crown in style.

“Well done to Wales. It was a fantastic effort and I watched it in my armchair.

“The quality of defence was fantastic and the discipline was excellent,” said Ruddock.

“When the chances came along, people like Shane Williams are masters at taking them.

“Martyn Williams scored a good try as well. You have great players in Wales all around. They finished the game strongly so the fitness is obviously there.

“The fact is they have a coaching team now that can take them forward.”