Ahead of Wales’ Narrow Triumph: Reflections on the Journey Towards Professionalism
The Welsh national rugby union team had endured a seven-game losing streak before their narrow triumph over Italy in the final Six Nations showdown. This included a humbling experience at the inaugural WXV1 competition, where they faced formidable opponents like hosts New Zealand, Canada, and Australia.
“It was a remarkable opportunity to participate, but the journey towards professionalism is never a smooth one,” remarked Cunningham, the team’s coach. “We were propelled into that level of rugby, which prompted deep reflection on our part.”
Cunningham expressed optimism about WXV2, where Wales will lock horns with Scotland, Italy, South Africa, and Japan. He believes this tournament will offer his side a chance to be more competitive and build momentum.
“That’s where we need to be – the stepping stone towards the next level,” he said.
WXV2 is scheduled to take place in South Africa in September, while WXV3 will feature relatively lower-ranked opposition in Dubai. Cunningham acknowledged that participating in the lowest tier would not be ideal, but stressed, “It’s not what we want. If we do end up in WXV3, it’s another chance to grow our game, but WXV2 is where we’d like to be.”
The coach emphasized that his team’s focus is more on the process than the pressure this weekend.
“It’s not so much about scoring four tries to earn a bonus point; it’s about winning the game,” he said. “We will do our utmost to find a way to win and execute our game plan on the field.”
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