| Venue: Stade de Good, Good Date: Saturday, 16 Sept Kick-off: 16:45 BST |
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Wales lock Will Rowlands says he doesn’t anticipate plaudits following his heroic defensive efficiency within the opening World Cup win towards Fiji.
Rowlands made 27 tackles with Wales finishing a World Cup document of 253.
“I at all times discover it a bit bizarre when the variety of tackles turns into the headline since you defend in a system,” stated Rowlands.
“Guys run at you and also you sort out them. It is good, individuals say good issues – however I see it as doing my job for the staff.”
Wales nearly surrendered an 18-point lead in Bordeaux following a ferocious Fiji fightback earlier than finally profitable 32-26, which signified a bonus-point victory.
Wales have now moved to Good the place they may face Portugal on Saturday.
“5 factors towards the Fijians is unbelievable for us,” stated Rowlands.
“We spoke about it after we reviewed it that we did numerous issues we wished to do and within the durations we had been in management we constructed a pleasant little lead.
“There have been components of the sport we have to take a look at and deal with, which allowed them again into the sport and set us up for a nervy end.
“We would gone into the World Cup feeling fairly assured – we might carried out some good work and we’re in a superb place going into the video games bodily.
“It was an enormous first sport for us to play Fiji. They’re a harmful staff. To get a win is unbelievable and now we deal with the following sport with Portugal this weekend and we’ll try to do the identical once more.
“It was a tricky sport bodily however we have recovered, effectively conditioned, so able to go once more this week.”
Rowlands has left Dragons and can hyperlink up with Racing Metro for the beginning of subsequent season.
The 31-year-old handed the 25-cap threshold throughout the World Cup warm-ups in August, which implies he’s eligible to play worldwide rugby regardless of enjoying his membership rugby outdoors Wales.
“I’ve cherished the primary couple of weeks right here,” stated Rowlands.
“The joy across the World Cup all over the place you go in France is wonderful.
“There are a great deal of Welsh followers and French individuals supporting us too. It has been a extremely wonderful expertise to this point and made me very excited to play a bit extra rugby in France within the subsequent few years.”
That is Rowlands’ first World Cup after making his Wales debut towards France in February 2020.
Rowlands was handed his worldwide call-up by Wayne Pivac, who was changed by Warren Gatland in December 2022.
“That is my first expertise of working with Gats and I believe that is undoubtedly one of many issues I’ve felt within the group, that there’s a large confidence in his plan and the coaches typically,” stated Rowlands.
“It instils a confidence and perception within the group after we play at our greatest.”
Wales skilled on Tuesday with full-back Liam Williams and fly-half Dan Biggar beginning the session away from the primary group and being put by way of the paces, whereas lock Adam Beard was biking on the train bike on the touchline.
The aspect to face Portugal is called on Wednesday with assistant coach Jonathan Thomas admitting there can be modifications after the six-day turnaround from Fiji.