Hansen confident of last-eight berth

Wales headed for Australia tonight with coach Steve Hansen confident in his team’s ability to at least reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

Hansen’s 30-man squad wound up their preparations for the tournament with an open training session at the South Wales Police ground near Bridgend, where they were watched by a crowd of more than 200.

Wales are not realistically expected to progress beyond the last eight, where England will probably be their opponents, but Hansen was in upbeat mood as he headed to Heathrow and a flight to Sydney.

“The team has got enough ability to make the quarter-finals, and it is about converting the hard work from the training track to the playing arena,” he said.

“I know it is an old cliche but we have got to take each game as it comes. I have been very happy with the preparations, and our training week in Lanzarote was awesome.

“By and large, the preparations have been as good as we could have hoped for, and everyone is relieved that we have come through these last few days with no injuries.”

Wales will spend a couple of days in Sydney before heading to Canberra and then flying into Melbourne two days before their opening Pool D clash against Canada.

Although Wales’ recent results have been poor, they still travelled with the hopes of an ever-optimistic nation behind them.

“I am not one to show a huge amount of emotion, but inside I am very excited,” Hansen added.

“I have got no doubt that the country is behind us. We are all one team – we are in it together – and there is a strong bond.

“This final training session was a chance for a lot of Welsh fans that won’t be able to make the trip to see the squad for one last time and give them the send-off they deserve.

“There is no doubt that knowing the country is behind us will help the boys in the heat of the battle.”

Hansen put his players through a 75-minute session before they departed for London.

“We are looking forward to it, “ said full-back Rhys Williams.

“It is about getting out there now and doing a job. To play in a Rugby World Cup has been one of my targets since I started playing the game, and it still doesn’t seem real.

“The spirit in the camp is good – there is great banter and encouragement between the players – and it is like the atmosphere of a club side.

“The first match of any tournament is always important depending on the results, it can either put more pressure on you or take it off you. We have got to get a win in the first game.”