There are just three rounds remaining in this year’s series and Gareth Williams’ side want to kick on after claiming the Bowl in Tokyo yesterday by defeating Scotland in the final.
Wales have now crept back inside the top 10 placings in the overall rankings thanks to their haul of eight points from the Japan event taking them up to 45 points. Samoa, Kenya, Canada and Argentina are now within their sights as a pre-season target of a top eight finish is still a realistic ambition.
“It was extremely pleasing to come away with the Bowl in Tokyo after missing out on the Cup quarter-finals on day one,” said Williams who claimed his first silverware since taking over the reins from Paul John.
“The boys responded superbly on the Sunday where we played three tough games and came away on the second day unbeaten. A major positive for us was the fact we finished the tournament having lost just one game,” he added.
Canada’s superior points difference saw them edge Wales out for the second quarter-final spot after the two teams shared a 17-17 draw in Pool A where New Zealand ruled the roost.
Wales hit back on day two at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground where they beat Spain, hosts Japan and then Scotland to claim the Bowl in what Williams described as a big step forward for his side.
“To win against Scotland in the manner we did was very pleasing from a coaching perspective. The boys showed a lot of character in coming back from 14-0 down and to then to be pegged back to 21-21 before finishing the Scots off shows we are learning all the time.
“We took a few steps forward – to lose just one game form the weekend especially with the injuries we suffered is a big plus and we have managed to creep up the points table. As a result we’ve managed to edge ourselves away from teams like Scotland who we beat in the final – hopefully Hong Kong will set us up nicely for Glasgow and Twickenham to climb the table even higher in May.”
