![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_JS387978831.jpg\")
Wales have a ‘big work-on’ ahead of their third autumn match(Image: Gruffydd Thomas\/Huw Evans Agency)<\/p>\n‘Early in that first half there were shades of Fiji 2007. We don’t want to be in a shoot-out with this sort of team,’ said former Wales international Gareth DelveWales have a ‘big work-on’ ahead of their third autumn match(Image: Gruffydd Thomas\/Huw Evans Agency)<\/p>\n
James Hook says that Wales have a “big work-on” for their match against New Zealand next weekend, while Gareth Delve picked out one star for his exemplary performance against Japan on Saturday evening.<\/a><\/p>\n The former Welsh internationals were on commentary duties for the BBC<\/a> and were guests on the Scrum V podcast afterwards. It was an error-strewn performance from Wales,<\/a> who were particularly poor in the first 40 with far too many handling errors and failing to nail the basics <\/a>as frustration grew in the players.<\/p>\n Speaking about the players who carried well against Japan, Hook name-checked Olly Cracknell and Aaron Wainwright as those who contributed to getting over the gain line.<\/p>\n However, he added that Wales otherwise struggled in this area.<\/p>\n “That’s a big, big work-on for us going into New Zealand and South Africa and beyond that,” explained Hook on the Scrum V podcast.<\/a><\/p>\n “You’ve got to feel for the players as well, this is a team that haven’t won in such a long time, so they’re probably reluctant to take those risks that Japan were taking because they came here with no pressure – Japan.<\/p>\n “We were under that pressure to win. Like Delve said, we won the game. Before it, we would have just taken a win wherever it came and that’s the case now.”<\/p>\n Delve then identified Cracknell a player who impressed him. “I look at some of the selections and Steve (Tandy) has been brave,” he said and touched on the important call to select him.<\/p>\n “Olly Cracknell, 31 now, man of the match in his first start,” before Hook added: “He was excellent.”<\/p>\n Delve continued: “So many people would have said – ‘Olly has probably missed the boat, probably should have had that opportunity when he first went to Leicester’. Or when he was going well for Ospreys<\/a>, which he could have. But he’s what we need now and he has stepped up.”<\/p>\n Later, Delve added: “The only player that went forward today was Olly Cracknell. His carrying, punching that gain line. Early in that first half there were shades of Fiji 2007. We don’t want to be in a shoot-out with this sort of team.”<\/p>\n Cracknell made 21 tackles during the game, which is the highest of any Welsh player against the Brave Blossoms.<\/p>\n He also completed an important turnover which further emphasised his impact on the match.<\/p>\n Wales face a very stern test against New Zealand next weekend, with an equally tough match to come one week later against South Africa.<\/p>\n Twelve of the players involved for Wales yesterday will be unavailable for the ‘Boks game, which is outside of World Rugby’s Test window.<\/p>\n Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here<\/a> and our WhatsApp channel here<\/a> for all the breaking news.<\/p>\n You can also follow us on social media on our X account<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> and TikTok.<\/a><\/p>\n For more exclusive stories and in-depth analysis, you can sign up for the Inside Welsh Rugby substack newsletter here.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"15.11.25](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_JS387946140.jpg\")
Olly Cracknell was simply superb against Japan(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)<\/p>\n