2015 Rugby World Cup: Pool A – Wales against the world

The term "group of death" may be a hackneyed cliche, but the Rugby World Cup's version is already a painful place to be. At the very least, Pool A is the group of collateral damage.

Wales have suffered most to date. Before a ball has even been punted, they appear certain to be down two key players.

Their task was already tough enough, with Australia and England sizeable obstacles to the knockout phase, as well as Fiji, who ended Wales’ campaign in 2007.

They are shorn of Leigh Halfpenny, the world game’s most reliable goal-kicker. If they lose Rhys Webb, the Welsh player of the year, their assignment might seem hopeless.

That is, were it not for the fact they are used to adversity. They have had four years to foster a siege mentality, anyway.

So they are starting the 2015 tournament without two of the first names on their teamsheet. So what? At least they will have 15 men on the field, which is different to how they ended their last world title pursuit.

Sam Warburton’s sending-off against an eminently beatable France side 18 minutes in to the 2011 semi-final was a terminal blow. The loss of Halfpenny, to an injury sustained in the final warm-up against Italy, is manageable by comparison.

Warren Gatland, the Wales coach, is known for being meticulous. All the bases are usually covered. To prepare for the World Cup, he had his squad train in 40-degree heat at the Aspire Academy in Doha earlier this summer, then at altitude in Switzerland.

The players receive cryotherapy treatment to recover quicker and train more. They have even been known to employ a writer-in-residence, an award-winning poet, to document their successes or otherwise.

But even Gatland’s best-laid plans can be thrown askew. When Warburton was shown red four years ago, it prompted anger in the stands and confusion on the field.

In the immediate aftermath of it, Huw Bennett, the Wales hooker back then, was remarkably calm as he replied to an inquiry from Alain Rolland, the referee.

“We’re just trying to decide who’s captain, see,” he could be heard saying on the referee’s mic.

Four years is a long time to bear a grudge. In truth, the angst over Rolland’s controversial call probably dissipated as soon as Wales next took the field.

They would be well-served by channelling the feeling that the world is against them again, though, and rail against it.

They will need that fury, as well as a little of the luck which has evaded them in the build-up, if they are to make it out of this pool.

Players to watch

Billy Vunipola, England

A special – if tenuous – resonance for UAE supporters. Vunipola made his first-class rugby debut on the lawns of Emirates Palace, when a cup match with his then-employers Wasps was exiled to Abu Dhabi in 2011. Still a Harrow schoolboy back then, he has since graduated to become a key player for England from No 8. He lost 8kgs in the build-up to this competition, a small mercy for opponents. All that means is he will last longer and get to collisions faster.

Matt Giteau Australia

He was stuck on 92 caps for four years and one day, before Australia relaxed their rules on overseas-based players this year. Still a class act.

Jake Ball, Wales

He will not be difficult to spot. The English-born, Australian-polished former cricketer has a grizzly beard and is built like a house.

pradley@thenational.ae

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