Filed under: Rugby Union, Rugby World Cup, Wales Rugby
As the other remaining home nations in the World Cup can testify, the path to the final has opened up in front of Wales. Now, a place in the biggest single game in the world of rugby could come down to whoever holds their nerve when it matters most.But if you are looking for a side brimming with confidence, and with a clean bill of health, then look no further than Warren Gatland's Wales.
After 21 tries against Namibia and Fiji in their last two games, you can't say Wales aren't looking in fine fettle. This comes on the back of pushing South Africa all the way in the opening game and a hard-fought win over Samoa.
Ireland, who will hold no fears, are next up where the battle between their experience of the men in green and Wales' freshness and exuberance of youth will decide the victors.
A win there and a potential match with England lies in wait - two tough matches, therefore, but very much winnable matches at the same time.
This is no rugby fantasy and the Welsh camp are starting to believe it as well. Wales coach Gatland told BBC Sport: "Getting to the last eight was the first target coming here.
"We knew we were in a really tough group but we have achieved that. South Africa were in a similar pool four years ago, came out of it, and ended up winning it. It's one game at a time from now on in.
"There's no doubt though it's exciting that the teams from the northern hemisphere ended up on side and the teams from the southern hemisphere on the other side. We've built momentum and confidence going into the quarter-finals."
Wales' position is a far cry to this time four years ago.
The inquest had already begun after their exit at the pool stages, ironically after losing to Fiji, and coach Gareth Jenkins was soon paying the price.
Now it seems that low day in Nantes is just a distant memory for Wales under successor Gatland. The Kiwi's rollercoaster reign has seen a mixture of heady highs and dismal lows but, after sacrificing results to blood new faces in recent times, the move appears to be paying off.
The emergence of teenage winger George North has allayed fears about who would ever step into Shane Williams' shoes with the record try scorer poised to hang up his boots at the end of the tournament.
Other youngsters to step up include Sam Warburton, the youngest captain at the World Cup, Toby Faletau and Leigh Halfpenny.
The Grand Slams in 2005 and 2008 prove that when Wales get on a try-scoring roll they are difficult to stop.
And Gatland now has more international wins to his name than any other Welsh coach after conquering the "pool of death."
Having slipped under the radar, they still possess a group of youngsters who won't even be in their prime until the 2015 tournament.
But while the future looks bright, the present shouldn't be overlooked either and this could be their chance nobody had predicted.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/10/04/wales-rugby-story-can-go-today-or-tomorrow/
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