Cardiff win has made Moon into a believer
RUPERT Moon insists Wales’ shining victory over England proves they are now ready to get their hands on the “holy grail” in Japan.
The former Red Dragons No.9 was so impressed by the fightback in Cardiff that he is convinced they are made of the stuff of World Cup winners.
A record twelfth Test triumph has lifted the hopes and expectations of a demanding Welsh public even higher as their heroes prepare to visit Murrayfield on Saturday.
A win over Scotland would mean just the Irish, due to visit the Principality Stadium, seven days later, could deny them a fourth Grand Slam in 14 years.
But former Llanelli star Moon, capped 24 times, insists Warren Gatland’s men must be aiming much higher come the autumn. And he firmly believes they are now looking capable of becoming only the second Northern Hemisphere side to win the Webb Ellis Cup.
Moon told TRP: “I have been around that squad a fair bit recently doing some charity work and I can sense they have found a sweet spot inside the camp where everyone gets it.
“Everyone is fighting for the same cause and believing in what they can achieve together. It’ a very special feeling. They are a hard working, respectful group from the youngest members to the oldest ones. Every player is making the big calls when needed.
“The exciting thing for me is the World Cup and how Wales do there. I see that this squad has so much potential and is growing. They will play England and Ireland again in the summer before Japan but the World Cup is their holy grail.
“Winning the Six Nations would be the perfect way to start a World Cup year but the most important thing is to keep building that momentum and getting their hands on that Webb Ellis Cup.
“I firmly believe that is now possible. They are a side who don’t know how to lose. They have all been brought up with it now having had the most successful ten-year period in Welsh rugby history.”
Moon insists that while Wales showed they have the credentials to win in Japan, they also exposed England’s short-comings.
He claimed: “New Zealand have starters and finishers. Their game plan includes a switch which they can flick on and off at any moment to change the way the game is going. If one thing isn’t working they have another thing up their sleeves. England did not have that.
“Wales changed the style of play in that second half. England were not prepared for the physical onslaught and toe to toe battle. Wales managed to beat England with the old pick and go. It was like turning the clock back 30 years.
“To take England down in that Exeter Chiefs way – pick go, pick go – was a big surprise.”