Robin McBryde issued a rallying call for Welsh rugby to breathe fire once again ahead of Sundays World Cup clash with England.
Wales are desperate to prove their sensational display against the All Blacks was no accident – but the start of the new era that a nation has been screaming for.
And after four years of hurt hooker-hardman McBryde insists Wales MUST get it right this time around.
“Lets hope this is the start of something. We have been down for too long that its about time we were on the up,” he said.
“We have recovered some lost credibility but it only takes one game to lose it. We have shown glimpses of improvement in the past so this time we have to make sure we follow this through.
“We have to learn from our mistakes of the past and make sure we continue on an upward curve.”
The biggest reason for optimism is the glut of young talent coming through the ranks with 13 of the original 30-man squad aged 24 or under with 21-year-old Paul James having joined last week.
This World Cup may have come four years too early for this squad of international rugby cadets who face Englands Dads Army in the quarter-final on Sunday.
But senior players and management alike are convinced Wales have a “special team” in the making.
“Were still a young side and coming into this competition people said that it was four years too early and that may well be true,” added McBryde. “But
its great for the boys in the squad, especially the likes of Jonathan Thomas and Shane Williams, to have a crack at the two best sides in the world.
“They have now got the experience of taking on the All Blacks under their belt to take home and hopefully it will spread throughout their clubs.”
It is the new club and regional structure that Wales team manager Alan Phillips is convinced will fuel the progress made at the World Cup so far.
“I dont think this is a false dawn. The young players are there but previously just havent had the opportunities to play. That will change with the tier under the five regions.
“They will be playing against men rather than just other under-21s as that did not mature them quick enough though the coach (Steve Hansen) has not had a problem with picking young players.”
