You shouldn’t be a Wales fan these days if you are of
a nervous disposition. Notwithstanding this, there are great rewards in the end
if you don’t collapse in a heap. As if the trials and tribulations of the Grand
Slam weren’t enough, we now have the Rugby World Cup. In the Six Nations all
the games were far from an easy watch with away games in France and Scotland
pretty traumatic but Wales came through in the end.
After a relatively comfortable victory against Georgia
in the RWC, we had the Australia match which left me with my nerves jangling as
the Aussies piled on the pressure in the second half. Wales hung on - just - and
put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the quarterfinals.
Today it was the turn of Fiji who, on their day, are
one of the most formidable attacking teams in the world. Today they had nothing
to lose after their shock loss to Uruguay. Today they penetrated the normally
watertight Welsh defence on countless occasions and but for a few forward
passes could have built an unassailable lead. Credit then to Wales who came
from behind twice to earn a bonus point 29-17 victory. These Fijians are tough hombres and the Welsh
players will be left applying copious quantities of witch hazel to their
battered bodies. At times, Wales looked bamboozled by the pace and power of the
South Sea islanders but it all came right in the end thanks to some clinical
grabbing of the few attacking opportunities that came their way. Let us hope
that the butcher’s bill is not too severe.
Next up is Uruguay and with a quarter final berth
already assured and a chance to rest key players. No room for complacency
though as winning the pool has its potential rewards.
Come on Wales!
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