Sadly Wales' Rugby World Cup campaign ended with defeat against Argentina in Marseille but I think the players can hold their heads high because they exceeded most people's expectations by getting out of their pool. Warren Gatland has done a fantastic job, as have the players in responding to him. On the whole I think the World Cup has been a big success.
I think we've now got some direction back while we are doing the basics very well again. The players obviously have confidence in this new direction, and that's key.
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The problem against Argentina was that we played within ourselves and kicked too much ball away. We lost some momentum because we kicked the ball away whereas they ran it back a lot.
All of a sudden we put ourselves under pressure and gave them the momentum whereas, when we moved the ball we looked dangerous. We did attack well throughout the pool stage and we took our chances, but ultimately it's all about game management and momentum which we didn't have against the Pumas.
We can't kick the ball away so much against good sides, and that was the mistake we made against Argentina, while we also didn't take our chances. Against sides who kick as much as us we can operate a territorial game and back our defence.
But when we go up against the better sides like France, New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland, if we had kicked the ball away to them, and we've seen the way they go through the phases, I think we'd struggle.
The important thing is we need to build on this World Cup campaign. What we need to improve on is our recycling, keeping our phases going and keeping possession. If we are kicking we kick to compete.
Looking ahead I think outside-half is a place where we need to develop players because Gareth Anscombe is going to Japan and Dan Biggar is retiring, while Rhys Patchell is off to New Zealand, so all of a sudden it's quite bare in the number 10 position.
Sam Costelow has been given his head which is great but they'll have to continue developing him at the Scarlets and at international level. We are also bare at full-back and this isn't the first time I've mentioned this, plus we also need to develop more No 8s. The one problem we do have in Wales is strength in depth.
We've been here before but I think over the next couple of years it's absolutely crucial we find a way to fix the regional game. I don't understand why the players have to go into Welsh camp to become fit enough for international rugby.
They should be trying to attain that level of fitness while they are at their regions. The worry I have is with these players going back to their regions, with the financial situation they are in they aren't going to compete at the required level in the URC, but one thing they can do is be as fit as everyone else.
We need to place a big emphasis on the development of players coming through. It'll be very interesting to see what happens over the next few years towards the next World Cup to see what sort of strength in depth we have in different positions.
One of the reasons the regions have struggled is finances and if you aren't going to sign good players you need to put a huge emphasis on developing youngsters. If the development isn't up to scratch then you are going to struggle there as well aren't you.
The boys have done exceptionally well in the World Cup from where we were in the Six Nations, and even though we are disappointed we didn't get into the semi-final we've exceeded all expectations. But now the reality is they go back to the regions who are inadequately funded compared to other sides so it'll be interesting to see where the development money goes, and how many youngsters come through.
That's the key for me. If you haven't got the finances to compete with other sides in the URC then your development has to be right.
Hopefully the financial situation at the regions can improve and the right people are put in place otherwise there's going to be a bigger hole in the next few years. I've got to say I really enjoyed the other World Cup quarter-finals.
Ireland versus New Zealand along with France against South Africa were on a different level to anything else we've witnessed for a while. I thought Ireland were the better side against New Zealand but the All Blacks were so clinical and they've got players who can score tries out of nothing.
You've got your Barrett's kicking over the top and catching and you've got your Richie Mo'unga making breaks off first phase. That's the difference with the All Blacks because they can do things out of nothing, and that's why they'll always be a threat.
A few defensive lapses ultimately cost Ireland the game. I also thought France were the better side but South Africa were so clinical.
It's all about game management and execution. I don't think the semi-final between England and South Africa will be as one-sided an affair as people think because they'll make it awkward for the Springboks.
You can't write England off completely because they've got the basics to compete with anyone in the world. But I think South Africa and New Zealand will go through to the final with the Springboks now the strong favourites to retain their title of world champions.
You can watch Jonathan on S4C throughout the World Cup, while all the episodes are also available on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer. Watch all of Wales’ games at the Rugby World Cup live on S4C.
