Good afternoon, and welcome to
Sports Mole's full text commentary of Wales vs.
Uruguay! Co-hosts Wales will be looking at this match as a must-win game, with Australia and England to come in Pool A. They have home advantage, can they make it count today?
Our man
Daniel Lewis is live at the Millenium Stadium to provide updates throughout the afternoon. Here are his opening remarks ahead of today's game:
"So two days after England got their World Cup campaign underway, Wales now follow suit in what is surely a home banker against Uruguay. Fiji provide Pool A's banana-skin fixture, as witnessed on Friday night, but Uruguay head for Britain with a rather poor record against top-tier nations.
Pablo Lemoine's side did battle hard to get here by overcoming Russia on aggregate, yet even a weakened Wales squad should have no real difficulties in picking up a bonus-point win on home soil this afternoon.
The Red Dragons may have been struck down by injuries, the loss of kicking-machine Leigh Halfpenny in particular tough to take on the eve of the tournament, but Warren Gatland is confident that his side still have the ability to battle through this Pool of Death. The journey - be it short term or long term - is about to begin."
Just over 20 minutes to go until kickoff, so let's take a look at the teams.
WALES STARTING XV: 1. James, 2. Baldwin, 3. Lee, 4. Ball, 5. Charteris, 6. Warburton, 7. Tipuric, 8. King; 9. Davies, 10. Priestland, 11. Amos 12. M.S. Williams, 13. Allen, 14. Cuthbert, 15. L.B. Williams
URUGUAY STARTING XV:1. Corral, 2. Arboleya, 3. Sagario, 4. Vilaseca, 5. Zerbino, 6. Gaminara, 7. Beer, 8. Nieto; 9. Ormaechea, 10. Berchesi, 11. Silva, 12. Vilaseca, 13. Prada, 14. Gibernau, 15. Mieres
Plenty of familiar names from Wales then, but who are the ones to watch from Uruguay? Three players ply their trade in France - prop Mario Sagario (Massy), scrum-half Augustin Ormaechea (Stade Montois), and fly-half
Felipe Berchesi (Carcassonne). The rest play in Uruguay, with the exception of full-back Gaston Mieres, who plays for Italian side Valpolicella.
The excitement is really building in Cardiff, let's clock in with
Daniel with more from the Millenium Stadium:
"The Millennium Stadium is really starting to fill up now, as kickoff moves ever closer. This ground may still be young in comparison to other major sporting stadia, but it already has a firm place in history - particularly at the Rugby World Cup.
In fact, the soon-to-be-renamed Principality Stadium will become the most used venue in the competition's history in just a few weeks' time, with a number of key fixtures to be played here between now and the October 31 final."
With 10 minutes to go until kickoff...
So after England's win on Friday, the pressure is on Wales to claim their first win in Pool A before taking on their neighbours and, of course, Australia. The win should be a formality for Wales today, but after yesterday's shock win for Japan, rugby fans know that anything can happen at the World Cup.
Uruguay have been absent from the Rugby World Cup since 2003 (England fans will be looking for an omen there I'm sure). They have never made it past the pool stage, and given the teams in Pool A this time around, very few would give them a hope this year.
We've had the anthems, and kick off is just moments away at the Millenium Stadium!
KICK OFF! Uruguay get proceedings under way.
Penalty for Uruguay, given away by Tipuric. A dream start?
PENALTY! Wales 0-3 Uruguay (Felipe Berchesi)
Another penalty given away by the hosts here, and Berchesi - full of confidence - goes for a kick from inside Uruguay's own half!
It didn't quite have the legs, but Uruguay collect the return. They lose the ball though, and Wales have a scrum, but the hosts fail to complete a ruck and Uruguay gather the loose ball. Interesting start to the game so far, Wales looking a little nervy this afternoon.
Wales penalised for a high tackle - advantage to Uruguay, but it isn't completed and Berchesi has another chance to add points to the scoreboard at the Millenium.
PENALTY! Wales 0-6 Uruguay (Felipe Berchesi)
Well would you believe this? Uruguay have bossed the opening 10 minutes at the Millenium Stadium, Wales have been riddled by mistakes and bad discipline. The fans won't be panicking yet, but they will want a period of Red pressure soon.
Daniel Lewis with the latest from the Millenium Stadium:A very slow start for Wales, much like Ireland yesterday - the difference being Joe Schmidt's men managed to shut out the opposition.
Uruguay were written off a little too easily by many - myself included - but we could have a game on our hands here.
Wales just need to settle themselves in and cut out the silly errors.
Much better from Wales, who are unable to complete a long advantage and find themselves with a penalty. The hosts kick to the corner and hope to find the game's first try.
From the lineout that followed, a powerful Welsh maul drives towards the tryline before winning a penalty. Wales find the corner again and will look for that first five-pointer.
TRY! Wales 5-6 Uruguay (Samson Lee)
A forward's dream! From the lineout, a superb effort from the Welsh maul allows
Samson Lee to drive over the line for the first try. Kick to come.
CONVERSION! Wales 7-6 Uruguay (Rhys Priestland)
So Wales have their lead, and are starting to look dangerous. Uruguay are penalised for some offside defending, and Priestland's kick for yardage moves Wales forward.
TRY! Wales 12-6 Uruguay (Cory Allen)
Wales' second try, and some great play from the centre
Cory Allen sees him touch down under the posts after the earlier lineout.
CONVERSION! Wales 14-6 Uruguay (Rhys Priestland)
Wales have settled into the match now, the past 10 minutes have turned the game completely in their favour, and the side attack Uruguay again before losing the ball. Wales recover in their own half, but Priestland's kick found Uruguay, and a high tackle from Jake Ball gives away another penalty.
Daniel Lewis from the Millenium Stadium:Wales finally click into gear, and there really is only one winner from this point on... surely?
Allen deserved that try following some fine work; Uruguay must now soak up some pressure and hope to hit their opponents back before the break
PENALTY! Wales 14-9 Uruguay (Felipe Berchesi)
Priestland produces a good kick into the corner, and Ormaechaea puts himself under pressure after the lineout, but the scrum-half recovers and his side can clear their lines. Wales, have an opportunity to drive forwards in the Uruguay half, but Scott Williams knocks on.
A penalty given away by Gaminara gives Wales a chance to move the ball forward. From the lineout, Wales try to score another try from a maul on the right, but the maul collapses and Uruguay have a scrum.
TRY! Wales 19-9 Uruguay (Cory Allen)
Welsh lineout, and the ball is passed inside by Davies to Priestland, who finds Allen to finish below the posts. Second try for the Cardiff-born man.
CONVERSION! Wales 21-9 Uruguay (Rhys Priestland)
Wales have a penalty as Uruguay are found guilty of failing to bind the scrum, and Priestland looks for the corner again. From the lineout, the backs move the ball to the centre, and after a couple of phases Wales earn a penalty.
Priestland finds the left corner and from the lineout the maul tries to go over the line. This time Uruguay are equal to the challenge, and the Welsh forwards are unable to move.
Lloyd Williams is forced off for Wales with a dead leg, and Matthew Morgan replaces him at full-back.
Baldwin moves towards the tryline, but the referee had blown his whistle for a Uruguay penalty. Wales in complete control of proceedings as the first half comes to its end.
TRY! Wales 26-9 Uruguay (Cory Allen)
Wales fail to bind in their scrum, and Uruguay get the feed. King wins it for Wales though, and the ball is sent out wide towards Cuthbert, who charges down the right before being stopped. The ball is swung to the left flank to Amos, who moves towards the line and finds Allen inside to complete his hat-trick.
CONVERSION! Wales 28-9 Uruguay (Rhys Priestland)
HALF TIME! Wales 28-9 Uruguay
Wales lead 28-9 at the break, and after their initial nerves the hosts have looked good value for the scoreline. Cory Allen had never scored an international try until tonight, but the Cardiff-born man has a hat-trick today in his home city.
Find out how the action unfolded in the first half with
Daniel Lewis' report from the Millennium Stadium
here.
Here are some stats that paint a good picture for Wales fans - 72% territory, 58% possession, 5-0 up on clean breaks, 8-3 up on offloads. Wales have been dominant with the ball in hand.
Ahead of today's match, Wales captain told the Daily Post his side will be fully focused throughout the 80 minutes against Uruguay, will his side keep to that promise? Here's what he had to say: "No-one knows what a good score is until a couple of teams play. It's quite a tricky situation. The main thing is you want to get a win and after that we'll be foot down for 80 minutes."
The last word of half time goes to
Daniel Lewis:
"A few changes for Wales already, then, though it is hard to tell whether these are just precautionary at this stage. No need to take any risks at the moment, of course, with this second half all about seeing through things ahead of that crucial clash with England next weekend."
The game resumes and Wales have a scrum on the Uruguayan 22. Davies gets the ball and finds Priestland, who launches a kick up towards the tryline but Uruguay deal with the move.
Aaron Jarvis is the aforementioned change for Wales, replacing
Paul James.
A Welsh penalty gives Priestland a chance to find the corner, but he fails to find touch, and Uruguay are able to clear their lines.
NO TRY! Justin Tipuric goes over the line, but drops the ball! With help from the TMO the try is ruled out, and Uruguay have a scrum.
TRY! Wales 33-9 Uruguay (Hallam Amos)
From a Uruguayan lineout, Wales emerge with the ball and break, as Amos takes over and drives under the sticks to score the first try of the half.
CONVERSION! Wales 35-9 Uruguay (Rhys Priestland)
Good moment for Uruguay, who in the Welsh half keep possession for 12 phases, but they give away a penalty as the support man was in at the side of the ruck. Best moment of the half for Uruguay.
Hat-trick man Evans is forced off with injury, being replaced by Liam Williams, and it looks a serious one. A real shame for the man who had had such a wonderful afternoon up to now in Cardiff, but Wales' injury crisis continues.
Wales keep the ball alive in the Uruguayan half, and complete nine phases as they edge closer to the tryline before winning a penalty. Priestland finds the corner again, and before the lineout is taken, Sam Waburton is replaced by Lydiate.
TRY! Wales 40-9 Uruguay (Gareth Davies)
From the lineout, another rolling maul, which results in
Gareth Davies recieving the ball from the breakdown and scoring a try on the right-hand side.
CONVERSION MISSED! Priestland fails to add the extras as his kick goes just to the left of the posts, but Wales have a handsome 31-point lead regardless.
From kickoff, Scott Williams breaks the Uruguayan line before passing out wide to Cuthbert, but the winger struggles to control the pass and Uruguay are awarded a scrum in their own half.
NO TRY! Williams thinks he's scored from a Welsh break, but a forward pass by Amos rules out the try. Williams never heard the whistle, carried on regardless and scored! He won't mind too much being 40-9 up.
Mexican Wave in the crowd - often the sign of a game gone flat, and it did for a few moments. Wales have a penalty now, and Priestland finds the Uruguayan 22 metre line. Another rolling maul edges them closer to the tryline, but Wales lose the ball, and Corral breaks for Uruguay - an impressive turn of pace from the veteran prop!
Daniel Lewis from the Millennium Stadium:Could points difference play a part in who progresses out of this Pool of Death? Maybe so - particularly if this year's Six Nations is anything to go by.
Wales need to find their top levels once more, because there is still a few tries left in this one.
TRY! Wales 45-9 Uruguay (Justin Tipuric)
CONVERSION! Wales 47-9 Uruguay (Rhys Priestland)
Another lineout, another rolling maul, another Welsh try - this time Justin Tipuric drops onto the ball to secure the points.
Lineout for Wales, and the ball moves out to the backs, but Scott Williams drops the ball and allows Uruguay time on the ball. Can Wales add more points before the final whistle?
Some neat play from Wales on the left-hand side, but the good work is undone by a forward pass and Uruguay get a scrum on their 22.
TRY! Wales 52-9 Uruguay (Gareth Davies)
Another rolling maul breaks down for Wales, and the ball is sent to Gareth Davies for an easy try, Wales' last one of the afternoon. Kick to come.
CONVERSION! Wales 54-9 Uruguay (Rhys Priestland)
FULL TIME! Wales 54-9 Uruguay
A win, and 54 points for Wales this afternoon, but the injuries are mounting up for Warren Gatland's side. Wales fans will be celebrating the win today, but may have reasons to be concerned ahead of the remainder of the side's Pool A fixtures.
Uruguay did not embarrass themselves today, and led the way in the first 10 minutes thanks to the boot of Felipe Berchesi, but in the end they could do little to resist the power of the Welsh maul and the pace of the backs.
Find out how Wales defeated Uruguay this afternoon with
Daniel Lewis' match report from the Millennium Stadium
here.
That's all we've got time for with this match, but stick with Sports Mole for reaction and more from Wales and the rest of the Rugby World Cup. Thanks for your company!
