Wales will seal final farewell for Gatland

MANY wrote off Wales’s World Cup chances after their narrow victory over France last week and in fairness I have no idea how they managed to win that, although gross French incompetence played a large role.

But win they did and I now believe they will beat South Africa to reach their first final.

Quarter-finals can be incredibly difficult and if you have a bad day at the office you will be in trouble. That’s what happened to Wales last week but, because they have forgotten how to lose, they somehow dug themselves out of a mighty hole.

The injection of energy and motivation a side experiences when they escape from what seems certain defeat can be incredible.

That extra life you get galvanises you, a feeling that everything now is a bonus — that is what I’m expecting from Wales today.

In 2003 comfortably our best performance of the tournament was against a good France team in the semi-final, just a week after we got the fright of our lives against an inspired Wales team.

Following England’s incredible win over New Zealand yesterday, we have the opportunity of seeing what many in Europe would consider the ultimate rugby match: a World Cup final between England and Wales. Just knowing that is potentially only 80 minutes away will surely excite Wales even more.

They will also take confidence from watching England — a team they have beaten twice this year — totally boss the game against the

All Blacks. Wales have a great recent record against South Africa, winning five of their last six meetings, but they have lost 30 in a row with New Zealand, last beating them in 1953.

The loss of Wales’s Liam Williams is offset by the injury to Cheslin Kolbe, the one Springbok back who really worried me. Williams is a loss but Leigh Halfpenny isn’t the worst replacement and what a boost to have Jonathan Davies and Ross Moriarty back. There aren’t many sides in the world who have that quality to add.

And, of course, Wales have Warren Gatland who is one of the best ever Test coaches. He is cool, never misses a trick and is a man on a mission. He steps down after this World Cup and will want to go out in style.

Gatland has guided Wales to three Grand Slams and done great things with the Lions but he has got his heart set on getting Wales to a World Cup final. He’s not finished yet. Wales to nick it.