Gatland: 'The perfect boost'
Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:30
Wales received the perfect confidence boost ahead of their mid-year internationals, when they cruised to a convincing 33-10 Six Nations victory over Italy at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
James Hook crossed for a second-half brace of tries to ease Wales to only their second win of the championship and lift the pressure on head coach Warren Gatland.
Wing Shane Williams added a third try while flyhalf Stephen Jones scored 18 points, including four penalties and three conversions in a 100 per cent kicking and man-of-the-match performance.
Italy fought to the death and were rewarded for their efforts when fullback Luke McLean touched down for a consolation score.
Wales coach Warren Gatland said that the victory had given them a confidence boost ahead of a tough mid-year series against southern hemisphere opposition - which include a visit by South Africa to Cardiff and a tour to his native New Zealand.
He added that all in all a fourth placed finish in the Six Nations did not justify their real standing.
"It's been pretty frustrating and I felt we haven't played to our potential," said Gatland, who came into the match with a certain amount of pressure building on him.
"Our position doesn't reflect our quality but really we can take on any team in the world on level terms. Today [Saturday] we put on a professional performance and showed what we are capable of."
His Italy counterpart Nick Mallett was far from downcast at his side's defeat, compared to how he had felt after their 46-20 defeat by France last Sunday.
"I am not at all disappointed with this defeat," said the England-born naturalised South African.
"I am very proud of the team. I thought we were fantastic in defence and saved perhaps six to eight tries. We had players dropping like flies all over the pitch and we had already lost three players on Thursday."
Stephen Jones said that it had been nice to round off their campaign with such a performance.
"I am very pleased, because it was our most complete performance," said the 32-year-old.
"Shame it was the last match of the tournament but we are a good side and we know we can get things together. We just made too many errors in our earlier matches."
Tom Prydie became Wales' youngest ever player, beating Norman Biggs 122-year record by 25 days.
And the 18-year-old showed no fear on his debut as the teenage wing was in the thick of the action from the kick-off.
AFP
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