#360view: Wales can flourish after lifting 'big three' jinx

Martyn Thomas 13:51 30/11/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Encouraging: Wales will be hoping to build momentum on the back of their win over South Africa.

    It was not pretty, and it was by no means comfortable but Wales’ defeat of South Africa could be the catalyst they need to fulfil their undoubted potential.

    – Record number of teams makes Dubai 7s bigger than ever
    – Sam Burgess: 'Monkey off the back after Bath debut'

    Having secured a southern hemisphere scalp just once in Warren Gatland’s seven-year reign prior to yesterday evidence of a mental block had been mounting.

    Yet that theory has been banished emphatically and heading into a huge year, Wales and Gatland need to build on this victory.

    Indeed, it could prove to be the result that turns them from World Cup also-rans into genuine contenders.

    No longer will this group of players, so often on the receiving end of morale-sapping defeats against SANZAR nations, feel inferior when stepping onto the pitch with the best of the world.

    Gatland is still able to call on the core of the side that impressed so unexpectedly at the last World Cup, but it is no secret that they had failed to kick on as had been hoped.

    This result gives them belief that they can beat any side on the planet.

    Admittedly, it was not a performance that will live long in the memory, and the win owed as much to mistakes made by the Springboks at the end of a long season. But Wales got over the line for once, and that will have only a positive impact on squad and supporter confidence.

    The positive momentum now needs to be harnessed by Gatland so that his side head into the Six Nations ready to lay down a marker for the World Cup.

    And while there was evidence of the nerves and mental fragility that cost them so dear in the latter stages against the Wallabies and New Zealand, there is plenty to build on.

    Not least in defence, where the men in red swarmed all over the Springboks. Captain Sam Warburton, the evergreen Gethin Jenkins and Biggar were all exemplary in this regard, while Wales’ sheer size in all areas makes them a formidable foe.

    Ospreys fly-half, Biggar, has grown into the famous No10 shirt, and although he is not in the same mould as some of the greats that have worn it before him, there is no longer any doubt he is the preferred playmaking option. His combination play with Rhys Webb, a quicker scrum-half than predecessor Mike Phillips, looks made for the biggest stage and helps Wales stay on the front foot.

    Remember, too, that this was a result secured without the hulking presence of George North, and with his replacement, Liam Williams, one of the standout performers.

    Williams has been the revelation of what now has to be seen as a satisfactory autumn campaign, his unorthodox gait providing some surprising pace.

    It means that Wales now have competition for all back three slots, an ideal position to be in when competing for silverware.

    Were North, or even Leigh Halfpenny, to suffer injury on the eve of the World Cup there would not be the same panic in the Valleys as before.

    That can only be positive as Gatland plots to find a formula to beat both Australia and England at Twickenham in pool play next year.

    South Africa were visibly tired, Willie Le Roux’s uncharacteristic mistakes highlighted as much, but Wales closed out the win, and in doing so have taken a huge stride forward.

    The game will not be pressed onto a commemorative DVD, however, winning is infectious and it could end up playing a huge role in how Wales fare next autumn.

    Recommended