Wales must find way to overcome bogey boy Wallabies

THE 2019 World Cup might be a way off yet, but what a tournament we can expect in Japan.

This week’s draw whetted the appetite for what’s to come, and my experience of playing in the host country means I can’t wait for it all to kick-off.

It will be a World Cup like no other we have seen before. All of the previous competitions have been played in rugby-mad countries. This is different. It’s going to be magical, mark my words.

Japanese rugby might be up and coming, but whenever they host anything they put 100 per cent effort into it. I know from speaking to a few people over there how excited the country is for what’s to come. It’s about time the World Cup was shared around the countries where they’re looking to develop the game. Japan certainly fits that bill.

It’s going to be a fantastic spectacle and all the teams who make it will have to prepare for something they’ve never experienced before.

From the snow in the north of the country to the warmth of the south, Japan will pose some weather challenges, but that will all be part of it. Wales and the other teams will have to embrace it.

As for the draw, I think Wales can be happy. Warren Gatland has said as much and the interesting thing for me is that it sets this November up nicely. Wales will face Australia and Georgia this autumn – two teams they’ll meet at the World Cup – and that will be an early chance for them to put down a marker.

We all know the Wallabies are a bogey team – they’ve broken our hearts on so many occasions now – so what better time to finally get one over on them than at a World Cup?

And you’d hope Wales would have too much for Georgia and what looks like being Fiji and Canada as the other sides in the pool. There’s potential for a few upsets in the other pools and the countdown is on for two years’ time. I can’t wait!