Chiefs too strong for Welsh

By Mark Stevens
15/6/2016

Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis was among the Welsh side who conceded six tries in their 40-7 loss against two-time Super Rugby champions the Chiefs.

In a game which the New Zealander dominated from start to finish, head coach Warren Gatland was far from impressed with his side’s fortunes in his home town of Hamilton.

Replacement hooker Kristian Dacey scored the visitors solitary try, which was converted by fly-half Rhys Priestland.

That was a rare bright point for the Welsh, who have now leaked 16 tries in their last three games - five in the 28-13 defeat against England at Twickenham, another five in the 39-21 loss to the All Blacks last weekend and now six more.

“It was disappointing. We asked a few questions of some players by giving them an opportunity, but some of them didn’t take their chance and we weren’t clinical enough in finishing off our chances,” said Gatland.

“As a team we felt the Chiefs were tiring a bit, but they defended well and when the chances came their way they were excellent. They dominated us at collision time.

“Sometimes the game of rugby is very simply - it is a physical game about collisions and they were better than us in attack and defence in that area. A lot of our players will have learned a lot from that.”

Wales - who also included former Exeter winger Tom James (pictured) in their starting XV - face world champions New Zealand in two more Tests on tour, starting in Wellington on Saturday.

“In terms of morale, we are disappointed with the performance,” added Gatland. “However, a big part of having this game was to give the players a chance to learn from playing against one of the top teams in the world. The big part of tonight is what the players and coaches take away from the game and what we learn from tonight.

“Midweek games are tough but [art of the experience for some of the squad was to learn from playing against a quality side. We have never shied away from wanting to play against the best teams. We have learned from those games in the past and I think the players will have learned a heck of a lot.”