Sam Warburton says there will be no easing up by Wales against Uruguay
Saturday 19 September 2015 17:22, UK
Wales captain Sam Warburton insists his side will be playing flat out for 80 minutes when they open their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on Sunday.
Uruguay receive a 67-point start on Sky Bet's handicap betting for the Pool A clash at the Millennium Stadium and they will hope to avoid a similar experience to their last World Cup game when they lost 111-13 to eventual tournament winners England in Brisbane 12 years ago.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has held back the likes of George North, Jamie Roberts, Dan Bigger, Gethin Jenkins, Alun-Wyn Jones and Taulupe Faletau for the bigger pool games ahead against England, Australia and Fiji, but Warburton has targeted a strong start to the tournament.
"We have to be respectful to Uruguay, who will be more organised than in the past," Warburton said.
"They've had a month together, so they will be more organised. It's quite a tricky situation. The main thing is you want to get a win and if you're in a bonus point situation, great, and after that we will be foot down for 80 minutes.
"In no game will we ease up, as you don't want to look back in four weeks and wish you had pushed a bit harder."
Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde, meanwhile, fully expects Uruguay to thrive amid the atmosphere generated by an anticipated 70,000 crowd in Cardiff.
"It's the opening game of the World Cup for us, and the occasion itself gives you a bit of adrenaline. That should get you going, regardless of who you play," he said.
"Also, from our experience, the opposition do raise their game as well. Admittedly, they are 19th in the world, but we will not take anything lightly and we will show them the utmost respect.
"But having said that, it is all about us and putting on a performance and living up to expectation. We created a little bit of momentum with that win in Ireland [last month], and we need to regather that momentum."
Los Teros head coach Pablo Lemoine said: "We are very excited to be participating in a Rugby World Cup and to play in the Millennium Stadium, which is one of the most important stadiums in the world. We are focused on the match.
"Wales are a really strong team, and we are expecting it to be tough, but I have told the players that one of the most important things is that they enjoy it.
"As amateur players it is the best experience for them, and everyone has to build their own experience from it.
"For us, it will be an amazing experience, but we are not watching the performance of the other teams. We have a commitment to our rugby back home in Uruguay.
"We feel the support from the people and the press, and that helps us to grow as a team. We are trying to make rugby the second sport in Uruguay, and it is now played in all state schools."
