As the nation almost certain to finish the Six Nations with the wooden spoon prepare to face Italy in their final match of the tournament, Tandy insists Wales cannot yet talk about victories until their performances consistently reach the required level.
Like a man falling from the top of a tall building and hurtling towards the ground, there have been new things to observe from a rarely seen angle this season.
There was the utterly chaotic first half an hour at Twickenham, the takeover of the Principality Stadium by French fans, and now an Italian coach cautioning his team against complacency before they play against Wales in Cardiff.
READ MORE: Steve Tandy Demands Wales Show Best at Last
All new, all coming at you fast.
Wales face Italy at the Principality Stadium still searching for their first win in the competition for more than three years.
The last Six Nations victory came against Italy on 11 March 2023, meaning that by kick-off on Saturday it will have been 1,099 days without a championship triumph.
That run includes 15 consecutive defeats in the tournament, and supporters are desperate to see the streak ended.
READ MORE: Steve Tandy Tastes Defeat Again But Wales' Progress Sweetens the Medicine
Yet Tandy insists Wales have to learn from teams like Italy, who have gone past Wales, rather than talk about beating them.
The Azzurri have won on their last two visits to Cardiff and Tandy conceded: “In fairness, they’ve done an amazing job.
“They’ve become really consistent with their team. They’ve backed up a young group for many years now and they’ve gone through tough periods, like ourselves. But they’re coming out the other end of it.
“That’s where I believe our team can get to, becoming an outstanding rugby team.”
If it sounds like fans are being softened up for another defeat, Tandy counters: “If we get the performance, the result will follow. I want both, if I’m honest.
“I genuinely believe in this group and I can see where we want to go in the distance, but I understand the here and now.
“I think the performance will get us closer. We can’t control the outcome.
“You see in games, the bounce of the ball might not always go your way, but what we have to be is consistent. We have to consistently get better and have consistent performances.
“Because the closer you get, like in the Scotland and Ireland matches, then if you’re in more games, results will follow.
“As a nation, we want both. You can get a win, but actually are you still growing? They should go hand in hand.
“We want to produce a performance that replicates what we did over the last few weeks, but also makes it better.”
READ MORE: Louis Rees-Zammit Admits Wales Leaked Tries "For Fun"
Tandy has reflected the improvement he believes his team have made by naming an unchanged starting XV for the first time in his nine matches in charge.
The only alteration from the squad that lost 27-17 to Ireland comes on the bench, where Blair Murray replaces debutant Louie Hennessey.
The decision underlines the progress Wales have shown since an abysmal start to the tournament, when they conceded 102 points across heavy defeats to England and France.
Since then, they have pushed both Scotland and Ireland far harder, losing 26-23 to Scotland after leading late and staying within one score of Ireland until the closing minutes in Dublin.
“I don’t think it’s turning a corner, it’s been building right throughout,” said Tandy.
“I think the confidence is building. They’re a connected group but I believe they’re getting tighter and tighter. They’re starting to see where they can go.
“But they understand you just can’t get there by saying you’re ready — you have to deliver.
“We need to grow faster than other nations as we’ve got a lot to catch up on, but the belief is growing within this group.”
Wales have been encouraged by the fitness of number eight Aaron Wainwright, one of their stand-out performers in this championship, who has recovered from a leg knock to start again.
Dan Edwards continues at fly-half with Sam Costelow still sidelined by an ankle injury, a notable absence after Costelow’s impressive display against Scotland.
Even if Wales manage victory, they still face the almost inevitable prospect of a third consecutive wooden spoon unless results elsewhere swing dramatically in their favour.
Italy arrive in Cardiff brimming with confidence after dramatic recent progress under head coach Gonzalo Quesada.
They produced a landmark victory over England in Rome last weekend and could record three wins in a single Six Nations campaign for the first time in their history.
Unlike Wales, Italy have been aggressive in the collisions, organised defensively, and consistently threatening whenever they move the ball into open space, throughout the tournament.
Thoe types of front foot performances have become a more regular feature during coach Gonzalo Quesada’s spell in charge.
There are three changes to the starting line-up that beat England.
Muhamed Hasa moves into the front row at tighthead prop after Simone Ferrari’s injury, Federico Ruzza joins Niccolò Cannone in the second row, and Alessandro Fusco takes over at scrum-half.
However, those alterations do little to change the overall character of the side.
When operating at their best, Italy blend powerful work from the forwards with creativity in the backs.
The Cannone brothers, Niccolo and Lorenzo, add muscle in the pack while captain Michele Lamaro continues to lead by example at the breakdown.
Out wide, the trio of Monty Ioane, Louis Lynagh and Lorenzo Pani bring speed and attacking invention whenever the ball is moved to the flanks.
In midfield, Tommaso Menoncello remains a crucial influence, using his strength in contact to generate quick possession.
Alongside him, Juan Ignacio Brex contributes defensive organisation and reliable distribution.
With Paolo Garbisi orchestrating play at fly-half, Italy possess the composure and structure to cause Wales as many problems as they posed to Scotland and England.
Wales: Rees-Zammit; Mee, James, Hawkins, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Francis, D Jenkins, Carter, Mann, Botham, Wainwright.
Replacements: Elias, Smith, Griffin, Beard, Cracknell, Hardy, J Evans, Murray.
Italy: Pani; Lynagh, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, Fusco; Fischetti, Nicotera, Hasa, N Cannone, Ruzza, Lamaro (capt), Zuliani, L Cannone.
Replacements: Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Favretto, Odiase, Varney, Marin, Allan.
