Steve Tandy has already confirmed he will make changes to his Wales squad for the Test match against South Africa next Saturday following their 35-21 defeat to Argentina in San Juan.
The team traveled to Durban on Sunday before Tandy and his coaching staff completed selection, leaving little time to prepare to face back-to-back world champions.
One of the downsides of the new Nations Championship is the hectic travel schedule. Wales had just one full training session before the defeat in Argentina, which was less than ideal preparation for Test rugby.
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Massive changes risk creating more problems than they solve, but there are a few areas Tandy can’t afford to ignore. If Wales are to remain competitive in Durban, some important selections are inevitable.
Wales’ attack in Santa Fe was simply not good enough, making just three line breaks compared to Argentina’s 12.
Attack coach Matt Sherratt has built his system around a second playmaker in the middle, but the midfield partnership of Joe Hawkins and Eddie James has yet to provide the fluency Wales need in attack.
It goes without saying that the biggest challenge Wales will face in Durban is the sheer size and explosiveness of the Springboks.
There aren’t enough strikers in the Wales team, but Tandy can’t do much because there aren’t enough of those types of players.
Scarlets center Eddie James may need to be moved to inside centre, which is his best position.
Wales’ Eddie James is captured by Bautista Delgui and Argentina’s Mateo Carreras (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
James is a confused 13-year-old and his biggest strength is his size and strength. The 23-year-old is capable of breaking the gain line and making big meters after contact, but he is better equipped to do so with the number 12 on his back.
He’s also an underrated ball handler with good footwork and a decent offload game.
Max Llewellyn is yet to establish himself consistently at Test level, but his winning ability remains an asset that Wales are struggling to exploit.
At 6-foot-5 and over 17 inches tall, he offers a physical presence that few others on the team can match.
Against South Africa there is a compelling case for pairing Llewellyn with Eddie James in midfield.
Size is no guarantee of success against the Springboks, but matching their strength is a must and Wales need more ballast in the middle if they are to compete physically in Durban.
The center’s current partnership is not working and changes need to be made.
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Tandy will likely also consider a change on the left flank. Sam Costelow is a talented player but was below his best against Argentina, while Dan Edwards did little to take his chance in the win over Fiji.
These two players have opposite qualities. Costelow is comfortable playing straight down the line and is most effective when operating within a structure, while Edwards is a more instinctive player who brings confidence and threat with the ball in hand, backing himself to attack whatever is in front of him.
The dilemma for Tandy is whether Wales need more control over Costelow or the unpredictability Edwards can provide against the Springboks.
But Costelow is the better defender and Wales might be better off if he stuck with the Scarlets playmaker, potentially bringing Edwards on in the final quarter.
The back three will probably have to be changed as well.
Blair Murray is a dangerous runner, but his short stature means he can be very exposed on a high ball.
Wales might be better off putting Ellis Mee at full-back because aerial play is an area where he excels.
Louis Rees-Zammit should return to the starting lineup, but Tandy should also consider starting Mason Grady.
Louis Rees-Zammit (Image: Kian Abdullah/Hugh Evans Agency)
The Cardiff striker remains a work in progress but his raw qualities are hard to ignore.
His combination of size, power and explosive pace gives Wales something new in attack, and his fitness means he won’t be overwhelmed by the demands of facing South Africa.
On the surface, there aren’t many changes Tandy could make to strengthen the team.
Teddy Williams could be considered in the second row, but Wales are likely to need two tightheads against the Springboks.
Williams might be better off coming off the bench in the second half.
Additionally, Dewey Lake has been limping off through injury and if he doesn’t recover in time, Ryan Elias is certain to start at hooker.
Wales XV Steffan Thomas: Ellis Mee; Louis Rees-Zammit, Max Llewellyn, Eddie James, Mason Grady; Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Dewey Lake, Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter, Adam Beard, James Botham, Jack Morgan, Aaron Wainwright.
Substitutions: Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Ben Warren, Teddy Williams, Thane Plumtree, Kieran Hardy, Dan Edwards, Blair Murray.
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