Jenkins: We must learn our lessons
Eurosport - Sat, 04 Aug 20:32:00 2007
Wales coach Gareth Jenkins vowed his side would learn from their record 62-5 defeat to England at Twickenham.
Jenkins's second-string pack was completely outplayed as England ran in nine tries to one, scored by wing Daffyd James.
Despite England making it quite clear from the early stages how they intended to play, the Wales forwards provided feeble resistance.
"We've learnt a hard lesson but it's a lesson that's not impossible to come back from," said the Wales coach."People back home are going to be totally unsatisfied but we've got to keep our heads up.
"There is no doubt this could have been an emotionally denting performance and we have to protect ourselves from feeling as poor a side as we looked."
Not surprisingly, Welsh defence folded late in the game, the constant tackling clearly taking it toll on the players' energy levels.
"The last 15 minutes we were completely out on our feet and could do little about half-a-dozen tries that were easy run-ins," Jenkins added.
"England dominated as a pack, they really put us under the hammer and there was nothing much we could do.
"We played with 29% of the ball again and you can't play Test rugby without having a share of possession.
"There were a couple of phases where we put rugby together that showed we have a lot to offer.
"But we're not getting enough of the ball and penalties are a major factor, we're too expensive and we give sides like England an opportunity to put the ball in the corners.
"It wasn't attractive from England, to say the least, but it was very effective."
Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport
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