RUDDOCK PRAISES WALES EFFORT

The mighty New Zealanders are next up for Wales at the start of the four match Autumn Series on Saturday 5th November. That game will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first meeting of the two nations and kick-off the Welsh Rugby Union’s 125th birthday celebrations.

The Grand Slam champions’ end of tour debrief following the runaway victories over the USA Eagles and Canada ended with some words and video clips from last autumn’s narrow defeat by the All Blacks as coach Ruddock made sure the players enjoyed their winning moment, but then immediately focused on the next massive challenge.

“I am very pleased with the way the tour went,” said Ruddock as the squad arrived back in Wales yesterday (Monday) after thumping 77-3 and 60-3 victories over the USA and Canada respectively.

“We achieved all our objectives – and more – and at the debrief when I spoke to the players I said how pleased the management were with the tour when I feel they delivered the full package of forward power, flair and defensive pride.

“But as well as complimenting them I also pointed out that the next challenge for Wales is the All Blacks and those reminders of the match last autumn were to focus them on the magnitude of that challenge.

“The message was that this tour was over and now the focus for them had to be on being in the squad for the autumn series of internationals.”

Wales and New Zealand first clashed in 1905, Wales winning 3-0 in Cardiff, but the All Blacks have walked off the winners from the last 17 meetings and the bonfire night showdown now has Ruddock’s full attention.

“I am confident we can challenge and stay with the All Blacks – although a year on from that 26-25 defeat last November I accept they will be even better again,” said Wales’ Grand Slam winning coach. “We could have sneaked a result last time, we missed a few kicks and hit the woodwork, and I am sure the 11 Welsh players out in New Zealand with the Lions will all come back better players for that experience.

“We also have the players who were with us on tour in North America and as I said, we certainly achieved all our objectives.

“We played well, built on our performances in winning the RBS Six Nations, won both games and saw some new combinations to gauge the depth of our talent.

“There were two great scorelines, especially considering the extreme heat in Toronto, and the fact that we didn’t concede a try was tremendously pleasing.

“The forwards scrummaged well when they had to, we scored two tries from driving line-outs, the backs scored plenty of free-flowing tries and the seven new caps all acquitted themselves very well.

“We have finished the year with eight wins from 10 matches and when you take into account the fact that the defeats by South Africa and New Zealand were by two and one point margins I think that reflects a very positive season.

“We are developing a winning habit – and that has to be a big part of our objectives.”