Thomas: ‘Massive step forwards for Wales Sevens’

How have things been since you landed?
 
We got in late last night. It was a bit foggy when we woke up, but as soon as we had a bit of breakfast it was clear and hot for training – plus we had this incredible view of Table Mountain in the distance. There’s a different feeling from Dubai, as you’d expect: it’s a new tournament and we’re ready to go again and get straight into it. The boys are extremely excited after the success of last weekend.
 
Is it important to get off to a good start in these tournaments?
 
Before leaving Wales for Dubai, we focused on Argentina and nothing else. Our analysis was all on them, knowing that if we got a win in that match it would set us up nicely for the rest of the tournament. We were close against Fiji, the beat Canada quite convincingly, so we were almost exactly where we wanted to be. We had a good win against Australia on the second day in the quarter-final, and although we ended the tournament with two disappointing losses, it was a massive step forward for Wales Sevens.
 
And next up in Cape Town you’ll face Uganda, Samoa and Scotland in Pool D.
 
There are no easy groups – and in Dubai we had arguably the toughest of that leg – but there’s definitely an opportunity for us to get through to the Cup quarter-final in Cape Town. It would be great to go to the same lengths again this weekend.
 
How good are the Dubai Cup winners, and this weekend’s hosts, South Africa?
 
They won here last year and have come into this year firing. We spoke after our semi-final against them that, in terms of experience and players in their squad, they’re the team to beat. They’ll be busting this weekend to try and take the first two tournaments on the bounce.
 
Are you pleased with the contribution of the new players in the team?
 
The core players in the squad have trained together for a long time, so by now we know what’s expected of us. But for the new boys to come in just four weeks ago and get up to speed with how we’re trying to play and what we’re trying to do this year is incredible. Some might see us getting to a semi-final in our first tournament as running before we can walk, but there’s no better way to start.
 
What’s it like to now find yourself as one of the senior players in Wales Sevens?
 
In terms of tournaments played, it’s myself, Sam Cross and Luke Morgan who are the three most experienced players, but what I’m really pleased about – and I’m certain the coaches are too – is that everyone’s started to take a bit of leadership; not just the three of us. That might be the difference this year: players have no reservations about speaking up and making themselves heard. Over the past month, players have stepped up and taken responsibility and that’s what why we’ve done so well.
 
Describe your pre-season training.
 
It was a long, hard slog. We started training at the end of June; meanwhile, some of the boys were still involved in the Olympics and didn’t come back until September. When all your mates who play rugby union have started the season in late August/September, you’re doing your fitness and weights and you’re just dying to play. A few of us got a bit of game time with the Singha 7s, but that was back in July, so after that we still had quite a few months before we even got to Dubai. But I think all our hard work showed: our fitness levels and physicality and the desire to play was there for all to see last weekend. 
 
Does everyone get on well within the camp?
 
Considering the new boys have only just come in, last week was one of the closest weeks I’ve experienced as a team. Sometimes boys might want to do their own thing – not necessarily in cliques, but boys from different areas can sometimes tend to stick together. But last week we literally did everything together, whether that be going for a coffee or a walk around the malls in Dubai in our downtime. Little things like that make a big difference, and there wasn’t one day where we split up and did our own separate thing.
 
Would you say it’s beneficial to have a kind of family atmosphere when you’re on the road for long stretches?
 
Our motto is ‘teulu’, which is Welsh for ‘family’. When there are 18 or 19 of you in the touring party, you don’t want anybody falling out or having any issues. You want to make those weeks as enjoyable as you can. People like myself and the coaches, Gareth Williams and Richie Pugh, have got children back home, and you do miss them, but so long as everybody stays close together in the group you help each other. That said, Owen Jenkins and I are looking forward to a small contingent from Ynysybwl coming to watch us in Cape Town this weekend, with my uncles and his dad travelling over, so it should be a great occasion. 

Wales’ first match of the Cape Town 7s is against Pool D opponents Uganda ( 08:37 GMT) this Saturday. For more information on the tournament, click here.