'Do or die'

Welsh fans face up to facts

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Posted: Friday October 22, 1999 07:34 PM

Wales has not beaten Australia since 1987. AP

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) -- The importance of Saturday's quarterfinal against Australia is just starting to dawn on the bulk of Welsh fans who've been caught in the grips of World Cup fever.

The loser of the Millennium Stadium clash is out of the tournament and the winner advances to the semifinals.

And with the grand final scheduled back in Cardiff at the 120 million pound (US$200 million) stadium built in the center of the Welsh capital for this World Cup, the fans expect to see their team in the decider come November 6.

Despite the confidence gained during a 10-test winning streak the Welsh come off a loss to Samoa and face an uphill battle against the Wallabies, who're second favorite to clinch the title.

Big No. 8 Scott Quinnell is under pressure and says he doesn't even want to consider the consequences of losing, while his coach Graham Henry has been trying to prepare the Welsh people for the possibility by building up Australia's chances.

Quinnell said it's been the hardest week of his sporting life because it's "frightening what it means to everybody."

"It's do or die," he said. "I can't think anything more difficult at the moment than playing against Australia. But it's one we've got to face up to on Saturday and one we've go to overcome then.

"We're on a lifeline. For whoever loses, it will be very disappointing to pack up your bags and head for home."

Quinnell said that people who complained that the World Cup hadn't generated any great atmosphere "obviously haven't been to Cardiff."

"It's unbelievable here," said Quinnell, who rates Australia and New Zealand as the top two teams in the world.

Senior members of the Australian team agree. Wallaby skipper John Eales said he "can't get away from" the World Cup atmosphere in the "heart of the World Cup," while Matt Burke said he could definitely feel the buzz.

Henry was pessimistic as he played down Welsh chances.

"This game is a step along the development path of this rugby side," the former Auckland Blues coach said. "We hope to give them a decent game of rugby but they're still better than us.

"We'll give it our best shot. Will our best be good enough? I wouldn't think so. But we'll give it a go."

Wales fullback Shane Howarth, a former All Black, agreed with Henry's assessment, saying the World Cup "may have come a year too soon for us."

But he said the loss to Samoa was "the worst day of my career and I don't want a repeat of it."

And Henry's tactics have even started to work on the national psyche.

"I'll be saying my prayers but I don't know if we can beat the Aussies -- we'll give it a mighty good go," said taxi driver David Jones.

A typical name and a typical comment from the average Welsh fan as the outright optimism and euphoria of a Welsh rugby renaissance that developed during the recent winning stretch has been replaced with cautious pragmatism.

Wales hasn't beaten Australia since Paul Thorburn kicked a late drop goal to edge the Wallabies 22-21 in a playoff for third place at the inaugural World Cup in 1987.

The only surviving member of that team was frontrower David Young and Quinnell said the squad could take heart from his experience.

"If we can emulate what he did in 1987, it'll be a great feat and one the boys will deserve," he said.

Since '87, the Welsh have lost six tests to the Wallabies and conceded 250 points. And Wales hasn't reached the quarterfinals of the previous two World Cups.

But Eales said those games were in the past and the Welsh had improved so much in the last 12 months that previous results wouldn't make any difference on the pitch.

"The last time we played each other was three years ago. A lot has happened in that time," said the giant Queensland lock, who was a member of the World Cup winning Australian team in 1991.

 

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