WALES must be licking their lips with the prospect of France as their quarter-final opponents because they have had their number for some time – and nor will Warren Gatland be fazed by getting South Africa as their most likely semi-final opposition.
The Welsh will be feeling fine and dandy about being on that side of the knock-out draw, with their prospects of reaching the World Cup final for the first time getting a big boost at just the right time.
They have also got a couple of the stand-out players in the tournament in scrum-half Gareth Davies and full-back Liam Williams. You need your key players to hit form at the right time in tournaments, and it is the quarter-finals where you need to get real lift-off.
Davies has done well, and has caught the eye with his ability to read play and sniff out interceptions. Anyone firing the ball anywhere close to him had better watch out, because he has the anticipation and the pace to run the ball in from almost anywhere on the pitch.
Williams has been impressive in attack and defence, and he played a crucial part in the Welsh fight-back against Fiji because of his ability under the high ball and the way he always manages to make yardage when he counterattacks.
Fiji rose to the occasion against Wales, and for me even though they went out after losses to the Welsh, Australia and Uruguay – when Josh Matavesi couldn’t have hit a barn door – the way they play lit up the tournament.
Esta historia es de la edición October 13, 2019 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 13, 2019 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.
Hancox joins the 200 club
AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `
To play in two World Cups was a dream
RUGBY started quite late for me.
Call time on this pantomime ploy
THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.
We need to kick on after winning at last
Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run
