Big symbolic pressure for the Welsh who do not want to match the worst series in their history, ten defeats in a row, when they were coached by Steve Hansen. They have to win against Fiji.
Wales remains on nine defeats in a row. This is not the worst series in his history, in 2002-2003, he had done worse with ten defeats while he was coached by a certain Steve Hansen, future world champion with the All Blacks. Warren Gatland does not want to match his compatriot, he hopes that his Welsh will beat Fiji on Sunday in Cardiff (2:30 p.m.). The men in the red jersey have not won since their last group match at the last World Cup (43-19 against Georgia in Nantes, how far away it seems). Since then, a lot has happened with a boatload of injuries, young people thrown into the deep end who didn't contribute much, a wooden spoon, three defeats on tour in Australia and, it's true a last-minute success against Queensland on July 19 in a provincial match (36-35). And then the coach, adored during his first stint, cannot be satisfied with such a black streak, when you have his CV, it is unthinkable.
Blair Murray, from nowhere
Gatland would like to work miracles, he hopes that the next one will bear the name of Blair Murray, a 23-year-old New Zealand three-quarter wing, who has only just set foot in Europe, but whose mother is a native of the Principality . He only played six games for the Scarlets. In his native country, he was not considered strong enough to wear the Crusaders jersey, he settled for the Canterbury provincial jersey. We will see if the Welsh context will transform him into a cador.
The other information is the return of Gareth Anscombe to the opening after more than a year of absence (adductors) which canceled his contract in Japan (he now plays for Gloucester). At 33, he does not represent the future but Gatland has not really found anything better in this strategic position. He pushes Ben Thomas (Cardiff) into the first center position, his favorite position, which pushes Mason Grady (Cardiff) to the wing. Also note the return of third row Jac Morgan, big man of the World Cup, since injured, but whom Gatland preferred to leave on the substitutes' bench. We wonder what will come out of this assembly against the Fijians who were left behind against Scotland but who were playing without their exiles. These will be back in Cardiff, notably Radradra and Tuisova. But we insist: for the Welsh the meeting is urgent because after the Fijians, the Australians and the South Africans will present themselves.
France
Rugby
