Wales legend Shane Williams believes Warren Galtand’s side have been handed the perfect draw for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Williams, who played for three years with Mitsubishi Dynaboars at the end of his glittering career, was back in Japan this week for the draw and was delighted to see Wales avoid playing Australia in their opening game.
And Wales’ all-time leading try-scorer with 58 touchdowns, including 10 in three World Cup campaigns, now feels Warren Gatland’s men have a real chance of glory in Japan in two years’ time.
“Facing Georgia first up before meeting Australia and then Fiji is a great way for Wales to start the tournament,” said Wales’ record try scorer.
“At a World Cup, every match is going to be tough and there will be no easy pools, but you’d like to think Wales will make the quarter-finals given the talent in their squad.
“Georgia will be a big challenge. They’re physical and improving all the time, but we all know Wales can be slow starters and that’s why I’m relieved we’ll have Australia in the second game.
“That is going to be a huge encounter, but after a long camp to prepare, who knows what will happen? If Wales can win that game it will give them real belief they can do something special.”
Wales are in Pool D with the Wallabies, Georgia, Fiji and either Uruguay or Canada and will kick-off their campaign against the Georgians on Monday, 23 September, 2019, at the City of Toyota Stadium.
Then they face the 2015 runners-up, Australia, at the Tokyo Stadium six days later. Their final pool fixtures are against the Fijians at the Oita Stadium on 9 October and then the American qualifiers at Kumamoto Stadium on 13 October.
Gatland has already insisted his team – who face both World Cup rivals Georgia and Australia later this month – are genuine contenders to win the competition. The former British & Irish Lions head coach is set to stand-down from his Welsh post after 11 years after the World Cup.
“Our focus for the next two years is to provide a platform for us to peak in Japan. With this announcement we can continue our planning and preparation for the tournament in finer detail,” said Gatland.
“It is good to have the full details announced as the excitement for the tournament continues to grow. We kick off against Georgia before facing Australia, both of whom we play this November in Cardiff.
“We have four cities to visit, so it is important we buy into the culture of Japan and the tournament.”
Williams knows all about the potential pitfalls at the World Cup having been in the Welsh side that were knocked about by Fiji in Nantes in 2007. He scored six tries for Wales in the 2007 World Cup campaign, but couldn’t weave his magic to engineer a ticket into the quarter-finals.
Defeats to Australia in Cardiff and Fiji in Nantes condemned Gareth Thomas’ side to third place in the pool and got Gareth Jenkins the sack.
“I played when we were knocked-out by Fiji at the 2007 World Cup. That was a low moment for us, but it’s a warning that on their day any team can spring a surprise. Look at the last World Cup where Japan beat South Africa,” he added.
“Facing Georgia in the first game will make sure we’ll be battle hardened for when we meet Australia and Fiji which will be vitally important. Warren won’t let Wales go into the tournament undercooked and they’ve got so many experienced players now I think we have a chance of causing a shock.”
