Power shortage exposed by Springboks

THERE have been some micro steps forward over the past month with Wales' attack looking far more threatening than it has for a while. They have looked good with ball in hand, showing some great invention, especially against the All Blacks, but they are way off the pace when it comes to power and physicality.

- by Steffan Thomas

This was as brutal as expected for a severely under-strength Wales side as the world champions won without getting out of first gear.

If Steve Tandy is to fix Welsh rugby, the first thing tha must be improved is the lack of power upfront.

Nobody can question the effort of the Wales forwards but they have been second-best as a unit in all four games this autumn.

It was no surprise to see the Wales pack struggle against the three Rugby Championship outfits Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa but they also struggled physically against Japan.

During the first Warren Gatland era, Wales had a pack that could go toe-to-toe with the likes of South Africa.

They had the required size and power to compete at this level while they also had serious athletes like Alun Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Ian Evans, Sam Warburton and Taulupe Faletau, among many others.

But currently Tandy does not have that calibre of player at his disposal in Wales.

This writer spent the day with the Wales U19s squad a fortnight ago and there were some huge physical specimens, but they will take a few years to come through.