Sparkling second half brings Slam closer

Feb 24 2008 by Simon Roberts, Wales On Sunday

Wales 47-8 Italy

WARREN GATLAND’S reputation as the man with the Midas touch remains untarnished as Wales’ march to silverware in this Six Nations gathers pace.

The Wales coach is still unbeaten and is now two wins from a Grand Slam in his first season in charge.

His side won their third successive game in this season’s tournament as the much-talked about Italian resistance never really materialised during this comprehensive victory.

Gatland now faces an emotional return to the Emerald Isle – where he was Ireland coach for four years – to face Eddie O’Sullivan, the man who replaced him and who many believe was the architect of his controversial exit as national coach.

The tough-talking Kiwi will continue to downplay any idea of Wales’ clash against Ireland being a personal battle between the two coaches, but be under no illusions – it is.

And if they overcome the Irish at Croke Park, there is the remarkable possibility of a Grand Slam clash against France in Cardiff next month.

Who would have thought any of that was possible after such a miserable World Cup campaign last Autumn?

And who would have expected an assault on the record books in Cardiff?

This was Wales’ biggest victory in the Six Nations and, amazingly, they haven’t missed a kick in this season’s tournament having landed 21 successful pots at goal.

On top of that, Shane Williams touched down twice against the Italians to take him to 39 Test tries – one short of Gareth Thomas’ record for Wales.

Gatland and his coaching team deserve all the credit for the success.

They have given Wales direction, focus and a physical and mental toughness sadly lacking in recent years.

Gatland has gone back to basics and instilled some old-fashioned values.

There is a unity of purpose and a real team ethic about the national set-up, similar to that under his fellow Kiwi Steve Hansen.

The message from the Wales camp is simple and straightforward – nobody is bigger than the team and nobody is pandered to.

The ultimate responsibility for everyone is to the Wales jersey. Nothing else matters. Gatland, in his own inimitable fashion, won’t get carried away with this victory.

Now, though, we may find out what he thinks is his first-choice starting line-up for Wales.

This, on paper, looked like a tricky encounter for Wales.

Italy are strong where Wales have traditionally been weak, but Gatland’s Wales dealt with the physical and one-dimensional approach of the Italians.

In fact, in the end this turned into a bit of rout, so dominant were Wales.

They could easily have racked up 50 points and finished the game playing with real confidence and self-belief.

Wales completely dominated the opening quarter, but had little to show for all the ball and territory they had.

Outside-half Stephen Jones landed two early penalties against an Italian side seemingly lacking in confidence.

But the home side gave Italy a much-needed boost by handing them the first try of the game after just 10 minutes from a Welsh lineout: It was such a present all that was missing was the wrapping paper.

Hooker Matthew Rees and lock Ian Gough totally misread each other and Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni trundled over from five metres. And suddenly the Italians were in the game at 6-5 and looked like a side who wanted to be in Cardiff.

Meanwhile Wales, after employing a successful kicking policy, became obsessed with running into a thick and immovable blue line of defence.

And Italy blew a golden opportunity to take the lead for the first time when centre Gonzalo Canale dropped the ball after a clinical back-line move had shredded the much-vaunted Welsh defence. Wales full-back Lee Byrne then crossed for his second try in the tournament after Shane Williams showed a glimpse of what he could do.

His quick tap-penalty saw him and prop Gethin Jenkins held up just short of the line, but centre Gavin Henson – who produced another assured and impressive performance – threw a superb long-range pass for Byrne’s simple try.

Jones added the conversion, but Italian full-back Andrea Marcato responded with a penalty to make the score 13-8 to Wales at the break.

Gatland obviously read the riot act to his side at half-time for not making the most of their dominance, and they responded with some style almost straight from the re-start.

Tom Shanklin, winning his 50th cap, ran half the length of the field after intercepting Andrea Masi’s pass.

Having lost Dwayne Peel with blurred vision, Wales should have scored a third try after a superb break by his replacement, Mike Phillips, but the Ospreys star went for personal glory and completely butchered the opportunity.

Phillips is a real athlete, but it’s time he became a real scrum-half.

He completely ignored wing Mark Jones inside and then passed on bad ball after he knew he couldn’t get to the line himself.

Jones kept slotting over the penalties before Wales ran riot with two tries by wing Williams and a second try by Byrne as they racked up 34 unanswered points in the second half.

They have now played three, won three and from here anything can happen.

The trip to Dublin will hold the key, with a Triple Crown there to be ripped out of the hands of O’Sullivan’s men.

Gatland may not say it publicly, but that would be the sweetest victory for him, and Wales will be one game away from a second Grand Slam in three years.

Truly remarkable.