Rugby World Cup: Nervous Wales fans await ‘toughest game’

An opponent all too acquainted to Wales, Fiji, shall be eyeing up one other important scalp on the Rugby World Cup on Sunday.

The 2 sides have met on the final 5 tournaments.

General Wales has gained 10 of the 12 conferences.

However reminiscences are nonetheless recent of the humbling in Nantes which dumped Gareth Jenkins’ males out of the 2007 World Cup and led to the pinnacle coach being sacked within the stadium automobile park.

Fiji are coming into this event as the very best ranked group within the group, and Wales followers in Bordeaux are actually cautious of the Pacific islanders’ menace as the 2 sides meet at 20:00 BST.

Hannah was one of many few courageous Wales followers to have donned a daffodil hat for the sport, on a sweltering day in Bordeaux.

She has travelled with mother and father Val and Nigel, associate Dan and son Teddy, two.

“I believe will probably be an in depth sport – my prediction was Wales to win by three factors,” mentioned Hannah.

“I am a bit apprehensive, I believe it should be a extremely powerful sport,” mentioned Andrew, from Merthyr Tydfil, who has travelled with a tour group to France.

“I believe it could possibly be the sport of the group – it is a cup sport so far as I am involved, we have got to deal with it like one.

“Sadly I used to be there in Nantes for that dreaded sport when Fiji beat us, so I am hoping it will not be the identical end result.”

Lisa, from Swansea, who’s a part of the identical group, added that she was “actually nervous”.

“Fiji are trying actually, actually good and I hope that we are able to do our greatest and get the win,” she mentioned.

Former Wales worldwide Dyddgu Hywel arrived in Bordeaux on Saturday, having cycled all the best way from Paris as half of a giant group from Wales elevating cash for the Velindre most cancers centre.

With the gruelling problem completed amid scorching temperatures of greater than 35C all week in France, attentions now flip to what she admits is a “large sport for Wales”.

“Fiji are very bodily – we’ll see how we’re at set piece and lineouts, however it could come all the way down to health,” she mentioned.

“Temperatures are actually scorching right here as properly, you can see that from the sport [between France and New Zealand]. However I believe we’ll do properly.”

Different supporters within the metropolis share her optimism.

“I believe they have an excellent likelihood, however they have to come back out preventing,” mentioned Aysha, Lee from Abergavenny.

“You possibly can’t write Fiji off, they’re taking part in superb in the meanwhile, so I am simply hoping that Wales pull out all of the stops and go for it. I believe it will be very shut.”

Either side have confronted health points within the construct as much as the sport, with Wales co-captain Dewi Lake not having recovered from harm in time to be chosen, and Fiji fly-half Caleb Muntz dominated out of the event after hurting his knee in coaching.

However for some Welsh followers, the return of head coach Warren Gatland this yr could have simply as a lot of an influence because the gamers on the sphere.

“I am fairly assured,” mentioned Ben Edwards, from Llanelli.

“Gatland has are available and constructed a younger group, and we have got a great likelihood on this event.

“I believe that is the hardest sport, as a result of if we win it takes the stress off the remainder of the group. They’ll go into that Australia sport filled with confidence.”

Regardless of Wales coming into the event having solely gained two of their final 10 video games – whereas Fiji lately claimed their first ever win over England – David Holmes, from Cardiff, does not see current kind as a difficulty.

“Being a Welsh fan you study to dwell with the highs and the lows, however Gatland will get us there,” he mentioned.

“He is educated them, he is bought them to a stage that is going to be completely different – I believe we will win.

“Within the Six Nations he’d had them for 5 minutes – give him an opportunity. He is completed it earlier than and he’ll do it once more.”

Sara and Silvio from Switzerland are adopted Fiji followers, having met the squad after they spent their honeymoon on the island in 2018.

“Ever since then our hearts are with Fiji – we observe them lots to observe the rugby,” mentioned Sara.

In the meantime, many followers again dwelling shall be watching the sport in native rugby golf equipment or pubs or on the couch.

Pals Nia Richards, 30, Nathan Hill, 32, Adam Beachey, 32, all from Cardiff, are watching the sport on the clubhouse on the Cardiff Arms Park and are feeling “anxious” but in addition “excited”.”I believe it should be actually tense,” mentioned Nia.

“I do not know which method it’s going to go – Fiji have performed rather well lately. It is undoubtedly vital to get a great begin. ” Adam was feeling probably the most optimistic: “I believe we have got this one. We simply want to remain targeted. I am quietly assured.”