By David Parsons
Rio Dyer says that Wales will aim to keep a collective foot on the accelerator as they build towards their fourth successive Rugby World Cup quarter-final appearance.
Wales’ place in the last eight was confirmed through a record 40-6 win against Australia.
They require only a point from next Saturday’s appointment with Georgia in Nantes to guarantee finishing top of Pool C.
Rio Dyer says that Wales will aim to keep their foot on the accelerator as they build towards their fourth successive Rugby World Cup quarter-final appearance. https://t.co/fjjKnoZvoj
— Nation.Cymru (@NationCymru) October 1, 2023
Japan or Argentina, who meet in what is effectively a group eliminator 24 hours after Wales tackle Georgia, are then set to await Warren Gatland’s team as quarter-final opponents.
“We taken learnings from every game previously, and we are chasing that perfection,” Wales wing Dyer said.
“Every game won’t be perfect, but there are things we can get better at. It is about not letting the foot off the gas and see how far we can push ourselves.
“Let the result take care of itself, because I am more than sure if we put the effort in during the week and take the learnings, we will get even better and hopefully top the group.
“The training we have been putting in is amazing. The competitiveness of the sessions has been phenomenal.
“No-one is sulking or moping about. We are a 33-man squad trying to get the same result, and everyone is helping everyone.”
https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1706052361485946944?s=20
Twelve of Wales’ World Cup group were involved when Georgia claimed an historic 13-12 victory in Cardiff during last year’s autumn internationals.
It came just eight months after Wales had lost at home to Italy, and effectively signalled the end for Gatland’s head coach predecessor Wayne Pivac.
A home loss to Australia the following weekend – Wales conceded 26 unanswered points after leading 34-13 – sealed his fate, before Gatland returned for a second stint in the job.
“They’re a good team,” Dyer said of Georgia. “They bring qualities throughout their forwards and backs.
“They have got very good players all around the park. Hopefully, we can put in a performance that we have put in during these three (pool) games and get the result against them.”
https://twitter.com/BBCWales/status/1708559404575170820?s=20
Dyer and company returned to the training pitch on Friday following four days off after the Australia match, with the majority of players enjoying French sightseeing, while some briefly returned home.
“Mason (Grady) and myself had a nice day around Paris on the bikes, then we went to Disneyland Paris together on a two-man mission. We went on all the rides there – I felt like a kid again,” he said.
Flanker Taine Basham, meanwhile, had time at home, adding: “I went back home to see the little one. He is nearly walking now, so no days off.
“He was keeping me busy, so I was not just laying back on the sofa waiting to go back out to France.
“I am getting better sleep out here, there is no doubt, but I can’t wait to see him again in the next couple of weeks.”
https://twitter.com/LaurasVaiciunas/status/1708147200440631622?s=20