Welsh coach Warren Gatland makes seven changes to meet Fiji - Rugby World Cup News
Wales' national rugby coach, Warren Gatland, has opted to make seven changes to his side that will play their final group match of the ongoing Rugby World Cup 2011 against Fiji on October 2nd at Waikato.
The Welsh side is in high spirits after defeating the Namibians by a monstrous margin of 81-7 on September 26. Among the seven personal and positional changes made, Jonathan Davies has been left out to handover the number 13 position to Scott Williams. Shane
Williams has also not been included in the side after he failed to overcome a thigh strain. Gatland made the announcement of his crew on September 30.
Wales is currently placed in 2nd place on the point’s table with two victories after three outings, making this a must win match for them to confirm their berth in the quarter-final stages. On the other hand Samoa has also come up as a strong
side and if they manage to produce an upset victory over defending champs Springboks, they keep their options alive for next round as well.
South Africa, the top ladder of Pool D, has almost confirmed their position for the quarter-final stages with three victories.
Wales is quite confident of winning the forthcoming match against Fiji as the coach told the media after naming his side. Gatlans said, “Our focus is entirely on Fiji, we know if we can win one more game, and win it well, that will give us the best chance
of reaching the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup with significant momentum.”
Talking about the changes he ahs made, Gatland argued that, “Alun-Wyn Jones and Jonathan Davies are two of the players who have started in all three games so far, and so we have freshened things up a little in the second row and centre, but we have both
of them on the bench if we need them.”
Wales’ team for their upcoming clash against Fiji:
Wales: L Byrne, G North, S Williams, J Roberts, L Halfpenny, R Priestland, M Phillips, G Jenkins, H Bennett, A Jones, B Davies, L Charteris, R Jones, S Warburton, T Faletau.
Replacements: L Burns, P James, A-W Jones, A Powell, L Williams, S Jones, J Davies.
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