Their 30-27 win over Fiji in the second round of Pool D clashes was arguably the biggest shock so far and up there with the hosts’ success against Ireland in terms of drama.
Rugby fans are unlikely to ever forget the emotion showed by Uruguayan captain Juan Manuel Gaminara after that Fiji success such was his delight at the result.
The Fiji win was Uruguay’s first in a World Cup match for 16 years and just their third ever in the competition. What made the result more special was the fact that Uruguay lost 47-15 to the same opponents at the 2015 tournament in England. It shows the team are progressing rapidly.
Uruguay’s Santiago Arata, who starts at scrum-half against Wales, said: “Expectations have been high since the start of the tournament and we’re still maintaining them.
“The team won’t stand still and we want to keep creating history and keep causing upsets with our skills and energy. When we talk about energy, we’re talking about the energy emanating from the team itself which keeps the group united and wanting more.
“We’re a family and we’re enjoying this World Cup immensely.
“We want to have a good game against what we already know is a very difficult opponent regardless of which players line up for Wales. We want to leave Japan with our heads held high.
“We have a good level of rugby. We still need to keep making progress in adjusting details and getting more games against tier one sides. That’s what makes you grow.
“It’s hard not having that because I think we’re well on our way and much more so than previously. We have to keep doing everything to achieve that.”
Uruguay were beaten 54-9 by Wales at the 2015 World Cup. They hope to push Warren Gatland’s side closer four years on when they meet again at Kumamoto Stadium.
“We have been visualising winning two games at this World Cup because if we do we qualify for France 2023 automatically,” said Gaminara, the captain and back-row forward.
“We are getting better as the tournament goes on. We normally play only three to four times a year. We are getting accustomed now to that many games in a short space of time.
“We have to disrupt Wales’ kicking game. We notice their number nine usually kicks a lot and so we have to pressure that kick.”
Uruguay head coach Esteban Meneses said: “Wales are strong at the basics with their set-piece, line-out, maul, building phase play and kicking.”
The hope for Uruguay is that the formation of a fully professional rugby league in South America will improve their domestic and international game.
They will be sure to give it absolutely everything against Wales.
“What we are doing in Uruguay is excellent and the arrival of the South American league will surely help this group of players,” said Joaquin Pastore, the Uruguay assistant coach.
“They will turn professional so that we have definitely have everyone under the same regime.”
