Wales Ready For Physical Battles

Neil Jenkins has made it clear he believes this Welsh squad have got what it takes to match their southern hemisphere counterparts in the knockout stages of this tournament. While in the past, northern hemisphere sides have struggled to match the southern sides when it comes to the physical side of the game, something Wales have been working to fix over recent years.

Jenkins has seen plenty of Wales squads in his time as both player and coach, and the former fly-half believes this bunch have what it takes to match the heavyweights of world rugby in all areas of the pitch. Rather than trying to outplay Australia, New Zealand and South Africa with fancy rugby, Wales are determined to give as good as they get in the physical battles when they meet the big boys. Anyone looking at the rugby betting will have to remember this.

“We have played against a lot of southern hemisphere sides over the last four years or so, and I think we realise you can’t sort of play fancy-dan football to beat these type of teams,” Jenkins said.

“You have got to be physical, just as they are. We have worked a hell of a lot on the contact area, and I think it has shown in the way we have played.”

With the talented individuals which Wales posses – think James Hook, Shane Williams, Mike Phillips and George North – if they can match the bigger sides up front, then the Welsh have as good a chance as any of progressing to the latter stages of the tournament.

Firstly though, and Wales have to secure their place in the knockout stages, knowing a win against Fiji this weekend would do the job. The Fijians got the better of Wales when the two sides met in the group stage of the 2007 World Cup, claiming a famous 38-34 victory over the Welsh to dump them out, with the Pacific Islanders progressing to the quarter-finals instead. The Rugby world cup betting makes Wales favourites, but there’s every chance of an upset.

While Fiji can’t qualify for the next stage of the tournament, a defeat for Wales could open the door for fellow Pacific Islanders Samoa to replace the Welsh in the next round.