Wales players told to keep eye on the ball

Wales coach Steve Hansen today warned his squad their World Cup campaign will hit the skids if they allow their minds to wander from the immediate job at hand.

Facing the Welsh over the next month is the trying task of securing one of two quarter-final qualification spots from a group that includes Canada, Tonga, Italy and New Zealand.

The Italians have already decided to play a second string against the All Blacks and are concentrating on securing that second place.

But Hansen has made no long-term plans and is thinking of nothing more than how best to beat the Canadians first up – because failure to do that would spell gloom in the valleys.

“For different sides, like England, New Zealand and France, who expect to be in the final, their preparation will be a little bit easier, they can build into the tournament,” said Hansen.

“For us, we have to take each game as it comes because we have got to win each game and we have got to work hard to win them.

“Our next game is Canada and that is the most important at the moment because if we blow that opportunity it will be very difficult to qualify.

“It is an old cliche but for us it is pertinent. Our mindset right off the plane has been preparing for this Test against Canada.”

Hansen will ensure his players waste no time on thoughts of the knockout phase but hit the ground running at the indoor Telstra Dome in Melbourne on October 12.

“We need to be gelling as a group (over the next 10 days) and then name our team as early as possible and get cracking with the preparations for a Test match,” he said.

“The first game after a break is always the most difficult, that’s when you are at your most vulnerable.

“But Canada are in the same position so we need prepare in an honest and genuine fashion.”

After being in Australia for just 24 hours, the squad looked relaxed and happy as they played beach volleyball at Manly.

The squad remain in Sydney until Friday when they bus it to Canberra – and that is where the hard work begins.

“When we get to Canberra, the true preparations for a Test match will swing into place,” said Hansen.

Wales have recent history against all four teams in their pool, having beaten the Canadians and Tongans over the past two years.

But Italy won this year’s Six Nations clash and defeats to New Zealand in November and then June extended their losing run against the All Blacks to 15 Tests and 50 years.