Has Wales' Cameron Winnett made the fullback jersey his own already?
Six Nations: In Leigh Halfpenny style, the 21-year-old stood up and did little wrong against Ireland. Has he claimed the fullback jersey already?
That it is so hard to say what Cameron Winnett is best at is, in a way, a testament to the 21-year-old’s well-roundedness at such a young age. Barely a mistake or a foot put wrong. His confidence in the air and on the ball increasing with every passing cap. The fleeting glimpses of his potential as a second playmaker even. There is something special here.
Wales do not play an alluring style of rugby like Scotland or France. Nor can they wield the paradoxical forces of creation and destruction quite like Ireland can.
The hallmarks of Gatland’s Wales sides historically have been their toughness. A complete assuredness in many aspects of their play. An aptness in dragging teams down to their level.
For many sides that certitude starts up front with the front row as set piece ascendancy forms the base to play off.
For Wales, traditionally, that conviction starts from the other end of the lineup, with 15. It is seemingly a rugby rule - no matter what, Wales will have a quality fullback.
Such a fact is bolstered by the fact in last 15 years of Welsh rugby, only three fullbacks really come to mind.
The incision of Lee Byrne in Gatland’s early years; the pure immunity that Leigh Halfpenny gave the backfield; and the wild unpredictability of Liam Williams. All three, the latter two in particular, have their place in Welsh rugby’s hall of fame when all is said and done.
But the 2024 Six Nations threatened to break that rule. Halfpenny and Williams have fled east to New Zealand and Japan respectively. Even Louis Rees-Zammit who flirted with the 15 jersey has travelled west towards an NFL dream. The shirt was up for grabs.
Good news is hard to come by for Welsh supporters, but the three-match performance of young fullback Cameron Winnett has been a life vest for the side, providing consistent buoyancy, keeping heads above water even as the ship sinks.
Two strong showings against Scotland and England preceded the trip to Dublin, but it’s on the Aviva turf that the Cardiff player made the jersey his own.
That it is so hard to say what Cameron Winnett is best at is, in a way, a testament to the 21-year-old’s well-roundedness at such a young age. Barely a mistake or a foot put wrong. His confidence in the air and on the ball increasing with every passing cap. The fleeting glimpses of his potential as a second playmaker even. There is something special here.
Moments of attacking shine were few and far between for Wales, but Winnett carried for 130 metres - far greater than their second best carrier in Aaron Wainwright (48m) - as his counter-attacking potential burned brightly.
Exceptionally steadfast under the high ball in Halfpenny-esque style, and the aplomb of former club colleague Williams to turn that into an offensive opportunity.
Shortly into a second half which sees Wales down by 17 points, Winnett safely takes a kick from Jack Crowley and spots the space behind Ireland’s chase, which to Jamison Gibson-Park’s credit, he quickly fills. The fullback regathers his own up-and-under and kickstarts a sequence of play where Wales wrestle momentum away from the hosts. Winnett had an average territory gain of 34.9m, second only to James Lowe’s booming left boot.
Less than a minute later, he starts another possession for Wales.
At times in his first two caps, Winnett seemed reluctant to fully press and engage the chase and decided to kick early. Against Ireland, the fullback ran to the line with confidence.
This time, his carry is rewarded with a penalty at the ruck. Tomos Williams taps early and Wales are on their way to a penalty try in the following minute.
With his individual attacking potential clear, he plainly possesses the type of carrying that can rejuvenate an attack and put the crowd on their feet while causing a modicum of indecision in the defence’s mind.
A few moments later, Winnett’s highlight of the day happens. Gathering a Lowe kick, who looked particularly slow at times, the fullback feigns to kick and steps the winger, and may have evaded Caelan Doris’ challenge if not for Bundee Aki’s engulfing arms.
The examples are short bursts of promise. But come from a player who prior to this season made just three starts - including one in a youth-laden Cardiff side against Harlequins in 2021 at just 18.
Wales will develop, hopefully positively, and Winnett has the chance to be the heart of the revolution - the assertive and poised base upon which Wales can build on.
There is, in Winnett and a handful of other players, an optimism forming. It is, albeit, a strange type of optimism, perhaps one that reflects the context that envelops this side - a recognition of the uneasy ambience purveying through Welsh rugby.
Lest we forget that everything this Wales side does is set against the uncomfortable backdrop of the Welsh Rugby Union, who are currently witnessing a gale-force independent review sweep through its boardrooms aiming to eradicate the abusive culture that lays at its heart.