Wales hammered by Chiefs in New Zealand tour game

Wales conceded six tries to the two-time Super Rugby champions as they crashed to a 40-7 defeat against the Chiefs in Warren Gatland’s home town of Hamilton.

“They’ve got to be honest about looking themselves in the mirror, look at that performance and [think about] what they learned from tonight and how do they apply it to be better players in the future – and we’ve got to do exactly the same as coaches too”.

The scrum-half Gareth Davies got to within five metres, wing Eli Walker was hauled down inches short and then No8 James King was stopped on the line.

Donald converted for 14-0 and the Hamilton crowd were scenting a scalp, even more so after a strong finish to the half.

It took Wales until the 55th minute to get on the board when replacement hooker Kristian Dacey barged over to finish off a lineout drive with Rhys Priestland adding the extras.

Donald hit four conversions before hobbling off to a rousing applause in the second half and the rout was completed by exhilarating attacking moves finished off by James Lowe, Toni Pulu, Sam McNicol. Donald added a fourth conversion before leaving the field to a standing ovation and James Lowe knocked over the final conversion to make it a 33 point gap – Wales’ biggest provincial defeat in New Zealand.

The match pointed out differences between Welsh and New Zealand rugby which were evident in the first test. The Welsh had plentiful possession but could advance the ball only slowly, and a meter at a time, though the carries of tight forwards; the Chiefs went immediately and through long passes to the outside backs, who often found Wales’ flank defence porous.

The ideal snapshot of what would become a mismatch arrived at fulltime, when Warren Gatland’s Wales formed a guard of honour and applauded an understrength Chiefs team from the pitch.

“It probably answered a few question on a few players who have been knocking on our door in terms of why they wanted an opportunity at Test match level. The Welsh are a good team and we thought, ‘Hell, we’re just going to rip into them, ‘ and hopefully that will be enough”.

“They defended well and when the chances came their way they were excellent”. A few questions were answered for us about the fringe players and where they are at the moment.

The Chiefs will be missing no less than eight All Blacks and, like Wales, are handing a starting debut to one of their flankers – 22-year-old Mitchell Brown. “The challenge is how we respond to that and that’s what we’ve got to do on Saturday”.

Rennie said it was special as they spent a fair chunk of the game without the ball.