How Wales defence Slammed ’em

Mar 30 2008 by Simon Roberts, Wales On Sunday

SHAUN EDWARDS certainly made his mark in the Six Nations.

One look at the International Rugby Board’s 45-page statistical review confirms how important the new Wales defence coach was to the Grand Slam success of 2008.

Under Edwards’ no-nonsense tutelage, Wales conceded only two tries, a new record low for the Six Nations.

But one statistic bears out how much of an impact he had on Wales defence.

Their opponents needed a staggering 49 minutes and 50 seconds of possession to score a try against them.

The old sporting adage that defence wins you championships, attack wins you games, is certainly born out in the official stats of the 2008 Six Nations.

Wales’ mix of a stubborn defence and a rapier-like attack was the difference between Warren Gatland’s side and every other in the tournament.

Rob Howley, Wales attack coach, proved worth his weight in gold with Wales coming out on top in the try-scoring table.

But are there any similarities between Wales’ Grand Slam success of 2005 and 2008?

On the surface, Wales’ approach this season has been markedly different to Mike Ruddock’s side.

The class of 2005 played fantasy rugby, with a ‘we’ll score more tries than you’ approach,’ while the class of 2006’s success was much more pragmatic and built on a mean defence.

But the stats do prove there were still startling similarities between both Grand Slam campaigns.

Wales, overall, still tried to use their skills, pass the ball and played more rugby than any other side.

n Wales put the ball into touch less than any other team.

n They kicked long at almost every re-start – 25 out of their 27 restarts were kicked long.

n They scored more tries from their opponents’ handling errors and kicks

n They scored more tries from inside their own half than England, Scotland, Ireland and Italy combined.

The major difference between both Grand Slams was Wales’ defence in 2008 and the turnaround from the previous two tournaments is absolutely startling.

In those seasons, Wales leaked a total of 24 tries.

But in 2008, Wales didn’t concede a try in the second half, while 11 of their 13 tries were scored in that period.

It was also Wales’ ability to score tries, from broken play which really set them apart from every other side in the Six Nations. On top of that, Stephen Jones and James Hook, who both wore the No 10 jersey, didn’t miss a single conversion.

But their penalty success rate was only 83 per cent and lagged behind Scotland and Ireland.

Wales had more players yellow carded than any other side, with Mike Phillips, Martyn Williams and Gavin Henson all sent to the sin-bin.

And, finally, for those who still have question marks over the fitness of Welsh players, here is a stat to put that myth to bed, once and for all. Wales’ 29-12 victory over France had the longest ball in play time of any Six Nations game – 49 mins and eight seconds.