Cast, naturally, in the role of the feared Philistine giant are the world champion Springboks; playing their part as the young, overmatched shepherd are a Wales side beaten in their last 11 games and swallowing down nervously the reality that an entire calendar year without a win beckons.
David was at least armed with a staff, five stones and a slingshot; in their current configuration, Warren Gatland’s side look comparatively underpowered. Harmonious elegies seem to play each time a callow side venture in to the grounds of their once intimidating Cardiff castle, mournful howls from the bastions from a public by now expecting little – and yet still finding themselves disappointed.
In the past two weeks, the situation in Wales has gone from faintly diverting to simply sad. If defeat to Fiji was emblematic of a team lacking in talent and leadership, the 52-20 collapse against Australia seemed to show a side that, while retaining corporeal form, had been drained entirely of its spirit.
Gatland himself has taken on husk-like qualities at various times this year, his recent moments of levity and light seeming to come when considering a future beyond his current role rather than the task at hand. The infighting that typifies such a sorry situation has begun – Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips and Alex Cuthbert were among those to criticise their former head coach, favourite sons squabbling with a patriarch who once made the Welsh rugby family flourish.
この記事は The Independent の November 23, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Independent の November 23, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
DeChambeau is an unlikely winner in game's civil war
As golf's civil war rumbles on, with any optimism that came from the announcement in June 2023 that LIV Golf and the PGA Tour had a framework agreement in place for a merger having long since dissipated, it's hard to argue that the situation has created many winners.
Mbappe looks a spare part in the Real Madrid machine
Real Madrid are the kings of Europe, that much was true even before La Decimoquinta.
Sign on the dotted line: the £12m steal and £50m dud
The best and worst Premier League transfers this season
Why are there no trains running on Christmas Day?
Q Why don't any trains run on Christmas Day in the UK? Everywhere else on the European continent trains run on 25 December.
The flightmare before Christmas: why December disruption is so painful
Air traffic control language is commendably succinct. The advisory message that was sent out by the US Command Center at 11.50am GMT on Christmas Eve read: “Nationwide ground stop for all AAL Main and Subs”.
CLAUSE FOR CONCERN
A new study suggests lying about Santa is not only 'unethical' but also bad parenting. Charlotte Cripps finds out if telling a festive fib should really earn you a spot on the naughty list
Sanctioned Russian cargo ship sinks after explosion
A US-sanctioned Russian cargo ship sank in the Mediterranean Sea overnight after an explosion ripped through the engine room, Russia's foreign ministry confirmed.
Protests in Syria erupt after Christmas tree set on fire
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across Syria after foreign fighters burned down a Christmas tree in the centre of the country, sparking concerns about sectarian violence.
Canal threat is latest drama in Trump's Panama history
Donald Trump strained North American diplomatic relations over the weekend with a threat to retake the Panama Canal, two and a half decades after the US transferred control of the vital global trade route to Panama.
Hong Kong issues arrest warrant for teenage activist
A 19-year-old pro-democracy activist who went from finishing secondary school in the UK to becoming one of Hong Kong's most wanted critics has vowed that she will not be silenced by Chinese fear and suppression.