Wales defence coach Steve Tandy has addressed the media after a week disrupted by a pay dispute, naming his team to face Fiji and discussing key selection decisions, the importance of continuity, and the challenge posed by the Pacific Islanders.
Rees-Zammit Returns to Wing
On the decision to move Louis Rees-Zammit from full-back to wing, Tandy said: "We always speak to our players. Zammo's enjoyed playing full-back, but he does love the wing a bit more. He's really open to playing full-back, but Blair's done really well and responded to the Six Nations." Tandy praised Rees-Zammit's attitude: "The way he's gone about training, the way he's looked after himself, his energy. We've got flexibility, but also a bit of depth, so we can move things around, which is exciting."
Building Cohesion in a Young Squad
Emphasising continuity, Tandy stated: "I think it's important for us long-term, as well as the summer. I think we've got a young group and I think we need to create cohesion, but also that does come with... you've got to play well, too. But that's exciting." He added: "They're brilliant to be around and I think every day you feel they're learning something extra, they're getting tighter as a unit. So this will be our third campaign. Going on tour presents different challenges, but different experiences for us to get tighter and learn more about our game and where we're going."
Josh Adams' Experience Vital
On Josh Adams' role, Tandy said: "I think he's super resilient. He's an absolute quality player, quality human being. What he passes on to the young boys, I think he's very approachable, so you see young men coming into the camp. He's teaching, he's learning. But what I love about him as well, he's open." He continued: "He's shared some amazing times with Wales, but he's had some low moments. But I think that makes him the player he is. I was on the Lions tour with him, he's a special bloke, special player." Tandy highlighted Adams' leadership: "How he keeps pushing himself to be better, he's an outstanding leader of the group. There's always those ebbs and flows, but I think the best players come through those times and they learn from them."
Fiji's Chaotic Threat
When asked about the challenge of facing Fiji, Tandy said: "You can be in good shape defensively and something can happen. There's going to be something out of nothing and we've got to understand things can happen. We've got to respond to that. If we think we can shut everything down, we're not preparing ourselves well enough." He noted: "That's where the Barbarians caught us a lot - the speed, the offloads, the kicking game. But our team really work hard if line breaks happen and that is developing in us. We've got to be prepared for the chaos that will come about in the game, but it's how quickly can we bring back the way we want to play too."
Tour Benefits and Pay Dispute Resolution
On the upcoming tour, Tandy said: "I've always loved tours, whether it's with Scotland, Lions, whatever it is. You get to know people better on a deeper level because there are probably no other distractions, everyone's there." Regarding the pay dispute, he said: "It's just always keeping connected with the players. That's massive for us, but I'm not involved in the negotiations. It's just making sure we're checking in with the players and making sure they're okay." He confirmed: "The players have been brilliant. The preparation hasn't been interrupted in terms of our training and how we've gone about it. It's great for us that it's resolved and we can get really focused on the Fiji game."
Focus on Rugby
Tandy expressed relief: "To be honest, I just want to talk about Fiji and the rugby. The only thing I'm really grateful for is it is resolved and there's no hangover from it." On the team's mantra, he said: "Honestly, it's probably really boring for you, but it is just getting better and focusing on the things that we did really well. And I think that's where we can't get too far ahead of ourselves."
