This was not how Cunningham would have dreamed of Wales’s 2024 Championship going, with their 22-20 win over Italy on the final day their first of what has been a difficult campaign.
The contrast between the heady days of a year ago, when Wales finished third to mark what appeared to be a real step forward, and this year’s wooden spoon campaign is stark.
The investigations into what went wrong will likely be lengthy but for now, Cunningham and his charges can savour victory over an Italy side that has impressed many during the 2024 Championship.
It is a triumph that provides plenty of hope going forward if the same spirit that earned a win today can be bottled for future use.
“It has been a tough campaign,” he said.”It’s not where we want to be but to get the win today is huge to give us a springboard back to where we want to be.
“We’re not a bad team, just things aren’t happening at the moment. We are trying to change the way we play but we will get there.
“There has been so much work, energy, and effort gone into this campaign and things haven’t gone our way. It means so much to us all, I’m just so delighted we managed to get across the line.
“It’s hard at times but moments like that are so special. I’m just so pleased for the players, they have put up so much hard work, they have had to go through tough meetings but to dig in there and show spirit to claw it back at the end was brilliant.
“It’s good today we got the win, we can build on that now. Whatever is next for us, we will focus on that, try and get some more wins and try and expose some young talent and build on the experience we’ve got.”
Victory came the hard way, as Sisilia Tuipulotu’s try two minutes from time proved decisive in a topsy-turvy encounter in Cardiff.
Tuipulotu burrowed over from close range after Wales ran through the phases while camped on the try line and looked in danger of passing up another golden opportunity, with a number going begging throughout the game.
It looked as if they were to be punished when Italy took the lead 10 minutes from time as Emma Stevanin finished off a lovely flowing move, but what the visitors brought in attacking guile in the backs, Wales matched with power up top.
All three tries came from the front row, with Gwenllian Pyrs and Carys Phillips also going over while Italy’s trio of scores were all finished by backs, as Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi and Francesca Granzotto both showed superb speed to dot down.
But it was Wales who ultimately won out, and while the result does nothing to uproot them from the bottom of the table, it could go a long way to providing the confidence on which to build future performances.
“We 100% deserved that,” said captain Hannah Jones. “We have had a tough campaign but we have kept working hard and I am so proud of the girls just to get over and get the win today.
“I would just like to thank the supporters who have continued to support us through the tough times. That’s definitely for you guys today.
“This group is absolutely amazing. We’d like to thank our staff, we worked tight, we worked hard, and we absolutely deserved that today.
“Resilience is key and we just keep going, keep getting better. That’s just the start for us.”
