{"id":291429,"date":"2023-10-06T12:26:21","date_gmt":"2023-10-06T12:26:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=291429"},"modified":"2023-10-06T12:26:21","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T12:26:21","slug":"mike-forshaw-expecting-ferocious-80-minutes-when-wales-face-georgia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/rugby-union\/mike-forshaw-expecting-ferocious-80-minutes-when-wales-face-georgia\/","title":{"rendered":"Mike Forshaw expecting \u2018ferocious 80 minutes\u2019 when Wales face Georgia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mike Forshaw has predicted a \u201cferocious 80 minutes\u201d when Wales look to maintain their unbeaten Rugby World Cup campaign on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Wales qualified for the quarter-finals with victory over Australia 12 days ago, and they need a point against Georgia at Stade de la Beaujoire to finish top of Pool C.<\/p>\n
Argentina or Japan await in the last eight, with Wales heading to Marseille as firm favourites to secure a World Cup semi-final spot for the third time under head coach Warren Gatland.<\/p>\n
Georgia, though, evoke painful memories for Wales, having suffered a shock 13-12 home defeat against them during last year\u2019s autumn internationals.<\/p>\n
Twelve of Gatland\u2019s World Cup squad were involved that day, while four players from the starting line-up 11 months ago feature again \u2013 Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Tomos Williams and Gareth Thomas.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are expecting physicality from them \u2013 they have always been renowned for a good pack of forwards,\u201d Wales assistant coach and defence specialist Forshaw said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have got some very dangerous backs, and they are a team that is growing. We will have to be at our best to get what we want to get out of the game tomorrow.<\/p>\n
In the short term, tomorrow is the big goal for us. We are expecting a ferocious 80 minutes in a very hot stadium<\/p>\n
\u201cThis group has been pretty tough. We\u2019ve gone about our business, and We have respected the opposition in this group \u2013 we\u2019ve had to tough some results out.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe expect them to be very tough to break down, and we have talked about ways around that. It is going to be a very physical game, Georgia are a very physical team.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoever comes next, we will prepare exactly the same, whether it\u2019s Argentina or Japan, two very proud nations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the short term, tomorrow is the big goal for us. We are expecting a ferocious 80 minutes in a very hot stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n
Georgia are already out of the tournament following defeats against Australia and Fiji that sandwiched a draw with Portugal.<\/p>\n
And while they will undoubtedly test Wales physically, the game represents another opportunity for Wales to showcase their rich vein of form.<\/p>\n
Lock Will Rowlands added: \u201cThere have been some ups and downs the last few years, but everyone in this squad was confident we are a better team than we have shown at points.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to come into this World Cup and just keep getting better and deliver performances we can be proud of and the Welsh public can be proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wales only avoided propping up the Six Nations table last season by defeating Italy in Rome, underlining how impressive the transformation has been.<\/p>\n
Gatland said: \u201cThe boys are implementing the game-plans we have put together outstandingly well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have clarity about what they are trying to do and trying to achieve. I have been really impressed with their attitude, their focus and the way they have gone out and performed in the games.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought one of the most pleasing bits against Australia was that we gave away less than 10 penalties. It was nine penalties, and we had nine turnovers in the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you are playing a quality side like Australia and you only have nine turnovers and nine penalties you give yourself a pretty good opportunity to win the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a squad I think we are in an outstanding place at the moment in terms of the morale in the squad and the banter that is going on behind the scenes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a lot of mickey-taking when it is required \u2013 not just the players, but the coaches as well. There is a really nice balance between hard work and having fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":291428,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n