What they witnessed would have shaken them rigid because it had never been seen before: a Welshman, born and bred in Cardiff, tearing up the All Blacks for England. In doing so, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 'Manny' to his mates, provided damning evidence that Wales have lost rather more than too many matches.
The number had risen to nine within a few hours of the Red Rose convert giving New Zealand both barrels, long enough for those hitherto unaware of his explosive ability to ask how it came to this; that a boy introduced to the game at Corpus Christi School in Cardiff in tandem with one of the capital's junior clubs, Rumney RFC, felt more at home with England.
That he happens to be a specialist outside centre, a position where Wales have suffered from a chronic shortage of contenders in the years since Jonathan 'Fox' Davies at his peak, makes 'Manny's' exit all the more galling.
That would still be so had Wales maintained a lengthy winning streak in Melbourne yesterday instead of extending their losing one beyond another overgrown milestone. Nine in a row, one more than under Warren Gatland in 2012-13, adds up to the longest for 21 years, since Steve Hansen reached double figures from which he recovered to win successive World Cups.
Fiji are next up for Wales in November followed by two more home matches against the Wallabies and Springboks, then a continental start to the Six Nations, France in Paris, Italy in Rome. Despite Fiji displacing them in the world's top ten, Wales will be expected to beat them at home but then they said that of Italy at the end of the Six Nations and look what happened.
Denne historien er fra July 14, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra July 14, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
