Like Warren, I Dare To Dream Despite Injuries

FOR the neutral rugby fan it’s a great shame this morning’s World Cup semi-final between Wales and South Africa has been robbed of two big entertainers in Liam Williams and Cheslin Kolbe.

Injury is a cruel twist of fate for any player at any point, but for it to strike at the last-four stage is particularly nasty. I really feel for Liam because he was also ruled out of the 2015 tournament by injury and he’s been one of Wales’ best players over the last two years. I wish him a quick recovery.

For every Wales supporter gutted by Liam’s absence, it will be the same for the South Africans who will miss Kolbe terribly. I absolutely love him – mainly because he reminds me of... me!

You don’t see many fast, small wingers these days. They’re an underrated option! Kolbe, like me, is about eight stone soaking wet yet he’s one of the most exciting backline operators on the planet.

When he was ruled out with an ankle injury I thought to myself that it was a huge boost for Wales and a big blow to the Springboks in terms of their attacking threat being hindered.

That was then balanced out by Liam also falling lame – ironically with the same problem suffered in training. Those sorts of incidents are freak injuries. If they happen to you, you have to curse your luck. Even without Liam I’ve full belief Wales can beat South Africa to make a first World Cup final.

If they do it will be a remarkable achievement. The whole country will be pumped this morning.

I’ve been inside both the Wales and South Africa camps this week and it’s been fascinating.

When Liam and Josh Navidi were ruled out of the semi-final due to injury and there were big doubts over Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies, the mood was dark among those of a Welsh persuasion.

People were doubting if Wales had a sniff of a chance. Warren Gatland changed all that with a masterful Press conference. It was Gats at his sublime best. It was absolute magic.