Back row now Dragons’ den in All Blacks battle
FROM the summer of 2016 right through to the autumn of 2018, Wales went 23 consecutive Tests without starting a Dragons player in the back-row.
Since then, in the 38 Tests that have followed, there has been at least one Dragon present in 29 of them.
Furthermore, of the 114 starting positions in the back-row across those 38 matches, no-one has filled more spots than the Gwent region – boasting 35 starts since November 2018.
It’s a remarkable turnaround that has been capped by the news that Wales will field an all-Dragons backrow against New Zealand today.
On six previous occasions in recent years, two Dragons players have started in the Welsh back-row but the triumvirate of Ross Moriarty, Taine Basham and Aaron Wainwright will go a step further when the All Blacks roll into town.
That familiarity could prove crucial against Ian Foster’s side, given how Wales are severely depleted elsewhere.
But what can we expect from this new-look back-row?
Dragons team-mate and 94-cap Wales international Jamie Roberts is someone who has seen each of them up close and personal – making him the ideal candidate to explain what makes them so special.
“I’m delighted for those guys,” said Roberts, who will be working on today’s game as a pundit for Amazon Prime.
“I called it after the first game of the season – ‘This could be the backrow for that opening Test match’.
“Obviously there were certain players out. Ellis has had a longterm injury so he’s just finding his feet again – he certainly won’t be at this level. Regardless of that fact, I believe this back-row is picked on merit. Each of them brings something unique. They’ve all got their USP.
“Ross is tough, uncompromising. He’s a tough ball-carrier, tough in the contact area. He’ll work all day for you. He does exactly what you want from a six.
“I love the balance. Aaron Wainwright has been awesome this year. His footwork, his athletic ability. He’s a smarter player than he was a few years ago. His yards after contact is very impressive. He goes into tackles and he always goes another metre or so.
“Taine Basham has been the standout player for me in Wales this season. I think he’s really come into his own this season. He was there or thereabouts last year, he’s been brilliant for a couple of seasons now.
“But he’s really knocked the door down recently. He has an all-round game. He’s punchy in the carry. He’s brilliant over the ball. He’s a link player with a huge skill set. He’ll improve in all facets of the game.
“I love the balance of those three and they’re all great guys. I train with them every day and they’re all hungry to improve and learn. They’re very diligent guys and they’re very personable people.
“I’m delighted to see them go against one of the best back-rows in world rugby. I’m sure everyone at the Dragons is delighted to see them stake their claim this weekend. Again, regardless of who is or isn’t available, they are there on merit.”
In particular, Basham has been one of the standout talents in Wales this season – with the 21-year-old justifying Wayne Pivac’s faith with a series of big performances.
The Wales coach admitted this week that they rate Basham highly, while he’s clearly held in similar regard at the Dragons – even if teammate Greg Bateman described him as a “complete idiot” in training.
“Define idiot!” joked Roberts. “We’re all idiots in some way. Taine is an idiot in his own way!
“But he’s hungry to learn. You saw that in the summer when he scored twice on his debut.
“I don’t think he realises how good a player he is. I know because I play alongside him. His ability to carry the ball at pace, hit it and not lose any power or pace, is pretty special.
“He’s completely fearless in the carry. I love seeing that in a player. The ability to time a run on to a pass perfectly and just get teams on the front foot.
“Ross is similar, so is Aaron. He probably uses footwork a bit more.
“Taine is a really, really special player. He has all the attributes to be at the very top and stay there for a long time. Most of all, he’s a good kid and he’s hungry to learn.
“I love the fact he’s knocked the door down this season. He’s been brilliant for the Dragons and he gets his chance against the best side in the world. I hope he carves it up.”
It’s not just Basham who has impressed this season, though.
Despite Moriarty and Wainwright boasting 79 caps between them, their form has been heightened by a switch in positions.
Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan has followed the lead of Pivac in moving Wainwright to No. 8, with Moriarty packing down on the blindside – a complete role reversal to the positions they played in at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
And Roberts believes, particularly for Wainwright, that it has opened up new possibilities in their games.
“I think what sets Aaron apart is his athletic ability, his footwork and his pace,” he added.
“His ability on the ball is pretty unique. He has it all, really. He’s got the size. He’s punching into contact better than he did a couple of years ago.
“He can beat people on the inside shoulder or outside shoulder. When you have someone like that at No. 8, it allows Ross to do what he does best.
“That guy is not soft in the tackle, I can assure you. He’s also got ability over the ball, which is gold dust in the modern game.
“The All Blacks play with tempo and pace, but I’m sure those guys can be effective over the ball.”