Jonathan Davies: Decent kicking will put Wales back in touch

Warren Gatland takes over his new duties as Wales's head coach tomorrow and has already promised his players many a happy hour improving their physical and mental toughness.

South Africa did him a favour by exposing the Welsh shortcomings last weekend, so his job is clearly outlined.

But although it was Wales on the receiving end of the lesson, there was much to be learned by any other of the home nations anxious to pick up a few hints ready for the start of the Six Nations.

South Africa were far more relaxed than they had been in the World Cup. They still wanted to win badly but were able to play the intelligent rugby they are capable of.

It was revealing how basic and straightforward their approach was: a solid scrum, a solid line-out and a back line intent on nothing else but crossing the gain line. If they didn't make it, they didn't panic. They just took a hit and set up another phase.

What they didn't do was to run it wide. Wales did, and it was a big mistake. If you haven't broken through, it is pointless to pass it down the line. We used to call it shovelling shit on it is not going to get you anywhere except into a mess.

South Africa don't try to play wide rugby for the sake of it, which Wales have a habit of doing. Neither do they take risks in their own half. If they get slow or poor ball they don't take the chance of trying to run it.

Whether it's an up-and-under, finding touch or going for position backed by a good chase, they kick it. Why try to break through when you are coming off your back foot?

But you can't do much if your scrum and line-out are not functioning. Wales lost one scrum, one line-out and one turnover, and South Africa scored a try each time.

You have to hold your own at the set-pieces. Whatever is said about the Mike Ruddock reign, he had the Welsh scrum and line-out spot-on, and they won the Grand Slam.

If they get the set-pieces right, Wales can be a match for anyone because of their flair in the backs, although I didn't think the James Hook-Gavin Henson partnership was as effective as it should be. Henson wasn't utilised well. Hook tends to crab across the field and puts himself under pressure by running poor ball. He has to straighten up, take the openside flanker out of the game and feed Henson cutting back on the angle.

Neither of them used the kicking option in fact Henson didn't kick the ball once, and he's a very good kicker.

The Welsh commitment and enthusiasm would have cheered Gatland up. All he needs to do is to control the level of Welsh expectation and introduce some continuity and stability. I hope he is allowed his full four years Clive Woodward and Jake White had that advantage. Gareth Jenkins and his backroom team had less than half that time, and it will be sad if they are allowed to drift into the wilderness.

Somewhere in the set-up there must be a place where the skill and experience of coaches such as Jenkins, Nigel Davies, Roland Phillips, Robbie McBride and Neil Jenkins can be used in developing the Welsh game.