Arrivederci Six Nations 2022 – and from Wales’ point of view, good riddance.
Wayne Pivac’s team were left stunned by a last minute try by right wing Edoardo Padovani, created by a brilliant counter-attacking burst from full-back Ange Capuozzo that, when converted by fly-half Paolo Garbisi, handed Italy a first ever win on Welsh soil.
It was no more than they deserved because they dictated much of the tempo and played a smart game against opponents who for most of the 80 minutes looked like they had their minds on the post-tournament booze-up.
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Wales did score three tries through centre Owen Watkin, hooker Dewi Lake and Josh Adams, but for the most part they were bereft of ideas and inspiration.
Garbisi’s boot kept Italy in touch all game, and although Adams’ fine score looked like earning Wales the win, the Italian sucker punch was justice.
You could only applaud the visitors after all the question marks over their future in the Six Nations.
Wales were the ones who looked like mugs.
The seal on a poor tournament
The hard statistic of one win out of five on its own is enough to indicate that it has been a bad Six Nations for a team that were champions 12 months ago.
But the context suggests as much too.
The apologists might point to how Wales pushed England and France to the limit in defeat.
But when you factor in the thrashing in Ireland, the narrow victory against a Scotland team that is patently not as good as many thought it was beforehand, and the rubbish served up against Italy, there is more negative than positive.
Those who say otherwise are kidding themselves.
An extremely tough tour of South Africa awaits this summer with questions galore remaining over the direction Wayne Pivac and his management team are taking Wales.
Again, the excuse-makers will harp on about a transition phase and injuries, but the evident shortcomings of the last six weeks have to be acknowledged and put right.
Wales attack blunt – again
It really is hard to believe at times just how ponderous and lacking in threat the Welsh attack is.
All tournament it’s been poor, but the opening 40 minutes of this was a new low.
Wales have two problems; they can’t get over the gain-line when they try to use bulk in contact – Italy won the collisions - and when they move the ball wide they simply can’t work the angles needed to create gaps.
Time and again Wales attackers received the ball standing still. Offloads in contact were virtually absent.
There was Watkins’ try in the 28th minute which was finished smartly by the centre after a rare piece of momentum through phases was created by Wales.
But it was just about the only offensive piece of work to commend them.
Between the 17th and 19th minutes Wales planted three penalties to touch in quick succession five metres out from the Italian line.
They failed on every occasion to come close to a try, either making unforced errors or simply unable to pick their way through with game-intelligence and composure.
A Biggar kick to touch in the 36th minute summed it up. Wales, bored with trying to get go-forward with ball in hand, ran out of ideas and took the only remaining option open to them. In less than a minute they were once again turning over the ball.
Is pathetic too strong a word? Probably not.
Wales flat
After the emotional wringer that was the close miss against France last Friday night, Wales were flat mentally, especially first half.
There was no urgency, no speed of thought, nobody grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck.
There was also chronic carelessness and indiscipline – and from people who should know better.
Taulupe Faletau tackled fly-half Paolo Garbisi off the ball in the 12th minute, Seb Davies became isolated and was done for holding on moments later, and there were careless offsides in the Italian half from Wales, Alun Wyn Jones the culprit on one occasion.
Then when Wales went 9-7 behind after Garbisi punished them for another breakdown infringement, they conceded again straight from the restart when Johnny McNicholl held on to the ball in the tackle. Result? Edoardo Padovani sent another three points through the sticks.
Wales as a collective just didn’t look switched on and focused.
It said it all that Wales ended the half defending a scrum on their own line – after a stunning line-break by Italy left wing Monty Ioane - and went off at the interval relieved not to be further adrift.
It was desperately poor.
Very muted second half response
Given the ineptitude of the first half, you might have expected Wales to turn it on in the third quarter and perhaps put the game to bed with three or four quick-fire tries.
Nothing like it. There was more ineptitude and the inventiveness and attacking threat came from the Azzurri.
Ioane had to be tackled a metre from the line by Josh Adams after a thrilling kick and chase in the 45th minute.
Not long after, full-back Ange Capuozzo and Ioane began a counter-attack from deep in their in-goal area after Wales had inexplicably kicked away turnover ball in a promising attacking situation.
Italy swept up field and a panicked Welsh defence were penalised for Garbisi to restore the Italian lead.
In between those two sorties there was Lake’s try, but the score was in no way representative of pressure and territory.
Wales were passive and uncertain and looking in dire need of some on-field leadership.
Time up for Alun Wyn Jones?
He’s been a great servant, but when Alun Wyn Jones was replaced midway through the second half there must have been more than a few people thinking now might be the time to call it a day.
It was his 150th cap, the end of a Six Nations and the end of a period when injuries – notwithstanding some heroic recoveries – have been catching up with him.
Will Rowlands’ development in this competition has further hinted that a changing of the guard is due in the Wales engine room.
It must be stressed, Jones will go down as one of the all-time greats, not just of Welsh rugby but rugby full stop.
But there has to be serious question marks if he is a starter now.
