‘FOURTH IS NOT ENOUGH FOR US’
JAMES Davies has admitted “fourth isn’t good enough” and told Wales fans to anticipate an “exciting” style of rugby that will be hard to stop. The 29-year-old started the bronze medal match against the All Blacks in Tokyo on Friday as Wales fell 40-17 to the former world champions.
It brought the curtain down on a campaign that had shown so much promise at times but was ultimately derailed by injuries as Wales progressed through the knockout stages.
A general theme after the game as Wales approaches a new dawn was what the future might hold as Warren Gatland leaves his post as head coach and Wayne Pivac takes over.
Taking stock, Davies said it as it is, from his viewpoint, at least.
“I’m sure everyone in that changing room will want more than what we’ve achieved in this World Cup,” he said.
“Hopefully we can look at what we’ve done and hopefully we remember this feeling of coming fourth, which isn’t good enough.
“I’m sure everyone will want to better that at the next one.”
It took Davies years to convince Gatland of his qualities but he has been a favourite under Pivac at the Scarlets.
The Kiwi guided the region to the Guinness PRO12 title in the 2016/17 season, with the region playing some utterly scintillating rugby.
“Warren has added a grit, perhaps, and a winning mentality. That’s what sport is all about.
“I think he has instilled that in most players that he has coached, so in fairness to him, he’s done one hell of a job.
“He’s given Wayne a good platform and Wayne is an amazing coach.
“I’m sure he’ll have a different style of play perhaps but he’ll want the attitude that the players have shown to carry through. “That’s probably the hardest thing for a coach to get out of players sometimes.
“Wayne’s a brilliant man manager. He’s been fantastic with us at the Scarlets and I think he will bring a style of play that will excite the fans and hopefully the players.
“I’ve loved playing under him at the Scarlets, with the open style of play. When you get it right, it’s hard to stop.
“Hopefully the players who get selected can implement that style of play.”
Pivac’s first game in charge will be against the Barbarians, who will be coached by Gatland, later this month.