Pride restored in the Jersey (Welsh National Rugby Union Team)

Member Name: xwelshyx

Product:	Welsh National Rugby Union Team
Date:	28/11/08 (109 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gatland, Edwards, Grand Slam 08 and convincing performance against SH teams

Disadvantages: Not putting the win away against SA

No one has reviewed the Welsh Rugby team in a while so I thought I would give it a shot about this years success :) Having only been into rugby the past 4 years this may not be as knowledgeable as other reviews. You simply cannot argue with the fact that the Welsh are the most passionate rugby supporters in the world. Most countries have football as their prefered support such as England, Italy and France but I believe in Wales and New Zealand rugby is part of our heritage and culture. It is our national game and a sport which I believe we are now regarded as world class in.

Wales compete in both the six nations and the world cup. Wales have never won the world cup but have won the six nations title 24 times - the most recent wins both being grandslams in the year 2005 and of course this year 2008.

Since Warren Gatland was appointed in Novemeber 2007 there has been a huge belief in both the squad and the Welsh supporters. His first match as a coach was against England where Wales were 13 points behind at half time but fought back to win 26-19 with their first win over England at Twickenham since 1988. The welsh public do tend to get carried away once the team achieve a result..more so against England. Fans wont admitt to it but the possibility of another Grand slam was already playing on their minds. Week by week the fans started to discuss this idea of a brilliant start by Gatland and Edwards and it happened, Wales shocked rugby supporters all over the world by winning yet another Grand slam after such a poor and disappointing world cup.

More recently have been the autumn internationals where Wales have yet again impressed. They should have put the South Africa game away and come away with a win but it didn't happen. The match against New Zealand I believe could be a starting point to showing us where we are in the rugby world at the moment. Wales responded to the Haka by standing tall and not moving until the ref had to get on with the game. The fans reaction to this was simply breath taking. The whole stadium errupted with chants of "WALES WALES WALES" which made you feel such pride and passion. Wales were leading New Zealand at half time but unfortunately lost, however..Wales learnt so much from this match and developed a signifcant amount I believe. Wales go on to face Australia next week and I truly believe they will win.

Wales currently sit 6th in the IRB standings one place behind their rivals England. This weekend England play New Zealand and Wales play Australia - both knowing that the fourth place spot which is vital for the world cup is there to be taken. Wales need a convincing victory of 13+ I think it is to take the 4th place spot.

This year has also seen Shane Williams win the IRB International Player of the Year award beating off competition from players such as Dan Carter and the Welsh captain Ryan Jones. Shane winning this award shows just how much Welsh rugby has improved in recent years. He is the first Welsh player to win the award and I am sure he wont be our last.

Wales top players: Shane Williams, Lee Byrne, Adam Jones, Gethin Jenkins and of course Martyn Williams

Players to watch: Leigh halfpenny, Andy Powell and Jamie Roberts.

Rugby holds an important place in both Welsh culture and society. The millenium stadium is often sold out on important match days showing you just how much rugby means to us Welsh people. Wales have restored the pride and belief back into the red jersey and I hope this success follows through to the world cup.

Cymru am Byth

Summary: A very proud nation