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Jenkins: We need to be ready for Fiji

Neil Jenkins and Warren Gatland during training in Japan.

Jenkins: We need to be ready for Fiji

Neil Jenkins and Wales will leave no stone unturned in their preparations for what will be a tough Rugby World Cup clash with Fiji next Wednesday.

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Warren Gatland’s side are top of Pool D in Japan after back-to-back wins over Georgia and Australia gave them the perfect start.
The team and management are currently in Ōtsu where they have been given some time off to recover from the thrilling 29-25 success over the Wallabies.

Watch Wales receive a magnificent welcome from the people of Ōtsu. 

Skills coach and legendary former fly-half Jenkins said: “It is a fantastic achievement and it is two out of two, but we have another two tough games to go against Fiji and Uruguay.

“There is no way Fiji are going to lie down for us a week on Wednesday. It is going to be a very tough game. It could even be harder than on Sunday in a funny way. We will be ready to go.

“We are in a good place and there is no doubting that. We’ve been in a good place for a fair period over the last few years and the results speak for themselves.

“But you have still got to keep working hard and prepare properly. If you take anyone lightly in this World Cup you are going to come undone as we have already seen. It’s plain and simple.

“There are no easy games in Test rugby anymore and we have two very hard games to come and we need to finish our group on top. That’s what we’ve aimed for since the start.

“We’re in a good position at the minute – two out of two – but for the life of me we need to be ready for Fiji next week. I know how hard they will be to play against next week.”

Jenkins revealed in Otsu that fly-half Dan Biggar is progressing well from the head knock which forced him from the field in the first half against Australia.

In Biggar’s absence Rhys Patchell stepped in to kick 14 points.

“Dan is symptom-free at the minute and obviously just doing his protocols as you normally would. As far as I understand he will be ready to go by the time we play Fiji,” Jenkins said.

“That’s obviously good news. It’s bumps and bruises other than that and normal stuff from a Test match of that size. Dan is an outstanding rugby player and a huge part of our team.

“I think we must not forget how good Rhys was when he came on and how good a player he is as well. We are quite lucky to have the strength in depth we have in our squad.

“We have only got two 10s and they are both vitally important to us.”

Biggar opened the scoring against Australia with a drop goal after just 36 seconds – the quickest in World Cup history. Patchell also slotted three points of his own from open play.

“It was our first time for 30-odd games that we’ve dropped a goal. I think Japan was the last time when Sam Davies nailed one,” Jenkins said.

“Biggs’ last one was in the World Cup four years ago against South Africa. Shaun (Edwards) is always on to me. Every clip he sees of big World Cup games there is pretty much a drop-goal in it.

“Obviously it proved vital for us on Sunday. It (a drop goal) is a skill in itself. If you can nail those three points and keep ticking the scoreboard over it makes a big difference. It did for us at the weekend.”

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