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Wednesday, 14 November, 2001, 13:14 GMT
New beginning for Wales?
Wales defeat Tonga 51-7 at the Millennium Stadium with a bright and disciplined performance.

Is this the start of something big for Wales?

HAVE YOUR SAY

Iestyn Harris' last-minute conversion ensured Wales topped the half-century mark against the hard-hitting Tongans.

The six-try performance was a huge improvement from the abject display in losing to Argentina last week.

Who can take the credit for Wales' turnaround in form? Has Graham Henry done enough to silence his critics, or is there still someway to go?

Can Wales look to the Australia Test with renewed confidence?

HAVE YOUR SAY


There was a lot more spirit in the Welsh performance against Tonga. In my opinion the team should concentrate on doing the basics, and only when they have got those right at international level, proceed to the next stage, ie no more missed tackles, no more dying with the ball, no more kicking the ball straight back to the opposition.

If you do not get these basics right against teams like Australia and England, then you will be severely punished. AS a sportsman myself, have completed nearly every London Marathon since 1983, I firmly believe that the team wishes to do well, but they are now responsible for their 'professional' level of fitness and performance on the pitch.
Paul Davies, Wales


When Alan Davies or Kevin Bowring were at the helm, the prospect of a defeat against a weak team like Tonga was not even considered
Geraint Jones, Wales

I have watched northern hemisphere rugby for over ten years now and time and time again it has been said that there is 'a new dawn' in Welsh rugby! They have just been beaten by the Argies and in the first half were tested by a 13 man Tonga. When Henry came on board that was a new dawn they then proceeded to lose to Samoa in the WC! I think at the end of the day they do not have the players or the coaching infrastructure to compete with the top five at the moment.
Jaimie, UK/Australia

What is all this rubbish about again? So Wales beat Tonga. It seems we have gone backwards. When Alan Davies or Kevin Bowring were at the helm, the prospect of a defeat against a weak team like Tonga was not even considered, just slatings all round if they didn't stuff em' by 30 points or so. Here we are now getting genuinely excited about beating them! Australia will walk all over us, we don't have the power up front or if we did, we wouldn't have the heart or inclination to use it. We are here three years into Henry's reign and the only thing we have to show for it is a debit for 1.5 million quid.
Geraint Jones, Wales

When will the Welsh forwards learn to ruck? Time after time ball was turned over because support was painfully slow and the ball was not protected. And why such slow ball from the scrums? It seems obvious that the players are not happy with Henry's style of play. A huge defeat by Australia is feared!
Dean, Wales

A much improved performance that offers great hope for the future. Once Harris is a fully fledged performs at this level Wales should be ready to take on and beat England, I'm in no doubt about that.
Iwan, Wales


We won't win anything if the players are vilified every time that they don't play reasonably
Rob brown, England

I don't want to ruin your party, but this is Tonga we're talking about. How many did England put past them at the last World Cup? The score was 101-10 if I remember rightly. This win means nothing for Wales and Australia will walk all over them.
Andrew, New Zealand

The fact that Wales won comes as a relief to us ex-pats Its just a pity that many in the media and in Wales tend to see it as a new beginning instead of a transient stage. We won't win anything if the players are vilified every time that they don't play reasonably. And the flack that is thrown at the players from ex internationals must be just has horrifying for them. If you look at the papers in Wales after a win the team is the best thing that ever happened. Yet, if that same team don't perform as well or (heaven forbid) lose then the knives are sharpened.
Rob brown, England

Why is everyone celebrating the Welsh result against Tonga? I thought it was a very poor performance. It was only when the Tongans were reduced in numbers that Wales were able to capitalise in a match that everyone was expecting them to win easily. It's surely time for some new blood in the squad, preferably someone who can catch the ball and go forward with it.
Antony Roberts, Wales

Although we played very well in the second half, showing how well we can take a team apart if we get ahead, Tonga were poor and undisciplined. It is only one game, and after all, we are talking about Wales. The problem principally is tactical naivety - I don't believe I've seen a variation in Henry's game plan since he took over. Its time we started surprising teams again.
Nathan Hamer, Wales (in England)

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