Five second-half tries undid a lot of good work by the Men of Gwent in a 47-7 defeat
Fine Inisi celebrates with Fetuli Paea and Rio Dyer(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
A spirited Dragons were ultimately no match for the power of the Bulls as they were brought back down to earth following their European exploits, losing 47-7 at Rodney Parade.
Here’s how the players rated…
15. Cai Evans – 5
Solid if unspectacular. Took some decent high balls, but was largely asked to run down blind alleys from deep.
Went to fly-half late on. Kicked a penalty dead from there. They missed Angus O’Brien.
14. Jared Rosser – 7
Got back for a crucial breakdown penalty near his own line. Another very good defensive read as the Bulls countered from deep was blotted a little by then infringing at the breakdown.
Lovely flat ball on the loop for Inisi’s try. Superb finish for the try that never was.
13. Fine Inisi – 7
Sent through a gap in midfield, but took his try very well. First time he’d started with Paea in midfield for the Dragons and they linked up nicely.
12. Fetuli Paea – 7
Deft hands on the gainline created space for those outside him time and time again. Can also carry hard and often. In Aneurin Owen’s absence, he offered a midfield focal point. Midfield worked nicely.
11. Rio Dyer – 6
One first-half chance just didn’t sit up for the Wales wing with the tryline begging. One lovely take under the high ball to regather a box-kick, slipping an offload out of contact in the process ahead of Rosser’s try.
Another chance didn’t go his way in the second-half. Frustrating evening at times.
10. Tinus de Beer – 6
High ball out on the full in the first minute. Can look a little rushed and loose at times, but kicked fairly well otherwise in the first-half – inviting the Bulls to needlessly overplay. Took some hefty bumps in the second-half.
9. Niall Armstrong – 5
Fairly solid, although a few passes did hit the deck. Not as slick as last week.
1. Wyn Jones – 5
Scrum was a mixed bag – with the sense that the Bulls could drive the Dragons back to the cabbage patch whenever they wanted in the first-half.
2. Elliot Dee – 5
There were times in the first-half when the Wales hooker had no respite, going from scrum to lineout and being put under immense pressure at both – with the lineout in particular struggling a little. Carried well, though.
3. Chris Coleman – 5
His race looked to be run after six minutes with a shoulder injury, but he stayed on and, despite some tricky moments, managed to get through 50 minutes.
4. Levi Douglas – 6
Some big carries early on and ended up leading the way in terms of carrying numbers while he was on. Late hit in the first-half was just stupid – lucky to not get a yellow card.
5. Seb Davies – 6
Went about his business quietly, but the second-row made a couple of dominant tackles among a high number of hits.
6. Ryan Woodman – 7
A busy performance from the back-row, with some big moments in defence.
7. Harry Beddall – 6
The former Wales U20s captain just tackles and tackles. Replaced early in the second-half for a HIA, but returned to make more hits.
8. Harrison Keddie – 7
With Aaron Wainwright rested, last week’s two-try hero stepped into the breach with an all-action display. This week’s captain made the most tackles and carries – throwing his body with careless abandon into some sizable opponents.
Replacements:
16. Oli Burrows – 5
One important breakdown intervention. But helpless to make much of a difference.
17. Rhodri Jones – 5
Like the other front-row replacements, was up against it in terms of who he was facing.
18. Dillon Lewis – 5
Looked to be returning from six months on the sidelines earlier than expected. Scrum still struggled when he was on, while one tired tip-on to the floor helped create a Bulls try.
19. Matthew Screech – 5
On for the final 20 minutes.
20. Thomas Young – 6
Briefly on for Beddall during the HIA, before coming back on later on. Few flashes of his quality.
21. Morgan Lloyd – 5
On at the hour-mark. Game was gone by that point as a real contest.
22. Harri Ackerman – N/A
Not enough time to make an impact.
23. Huw Anderson – 5
On for the final 15 minutes. Solid enough, but failed to deal with one chip for Devon Williams’ try.