{"id":290748,"date":"2023-09-12T18:35:23","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T18:35:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/?p=290748"},"modified":"2023-09-12T18:35:23","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T18:35:23","slug":"rowlands-plays-down-his-extraordinary-tackle-count-of-27-in-wales-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/rugby-union\/rowlands-plays-down-his-extraordinary-tackle-count-of-27-in-wales-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Rowlands plays down his extraordinary tackle count of 27 in Wales win"},"content":{"rendered":"
Will Rowlands topped the leaderboard when it came to tackles in Wales\u2019 World Cup record tally of 253 as Warren Gatland\u2019s side started their tournament with a thrilling win over Fiji.<\/p>\n
But the lock brushed off his extraordinary individual tally of 27 \u2013 which came without a single miss \u2013 and then declared himself ready to back it up again against Portugal on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Rowlands played the full 80 minutes in Bordeaux as Wales beat Fiji 32-26. Questioned on his remarkable individual performance, the Racing 92 man provided a no-nonsense response.<\/p>\n
\u2018I always find it a bit weird when the number of tackles becomes the headline because you defend in a system. Guys run at you and you tackle them,\u2019 Rowlands said.<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s nice people say nice things but I just see it as me doing my job for the team. I feel fine and trained as normal. It\u2019s all good. We\u2019d gone into the World Cup feeling pretty confident we\u2019d done some good work and were in a good place going into the games physically.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Will Rowlands has played down his defensive heroics in Wales’ thrilling victory over Fiji<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The lock brushed off his extraordinary individual tally of 27 \u2013 which came without a single miss<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Wales made a World Cup record of 253 tackles in the epic encounter in Bordeaux on Sunday<\/p>\n
\u2018It was a tough game but we\u2019ve recovered. We\u2019re well conditioned so ready to go again this week.\u2019<\/p>\n
Wales impressed for long periods against Fiji to record a bonus-point win.<\/p>\n
It could all have been very different if referee Matthew Carley had punished Wales\u2019 poor discipline and if Fiji centre Semi Radrada had caught a pass with the line gaping and the clock in the red. But Gatland\u2019s side did just enough. Now, their attentions have turned to Portugal.<\/p>\n
Wales have swapped Bordeaux for Nice ahead of facing the Pool C minnows here on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Head coach Gatland is set to make sweeping changes for his team\u2019s second match.<\/p>\n
Fly-half Dan Biggar, full-back Liam Williams and lock Adam Beard trained separately to the main group on Tuesday. All three are very unlikely to face Portugal.<\/p>\n
Gareth Anscombe and Leigh Halfpenny are likely to step in for Biggar and Williams respectively, although Gatland could opt for Sam Costelow at No 10.<\/p>\n
Rowlands might not have been too keen to praise himself, but he was absolutely outstanding against Fiji and is set to stay in the side for Portugal.<\/p>\n
Dafydd Jenkins is the leading contender to partner him in the second row.<\/p>\n
\u2018To get a win and five points is fantastic and now we focus on the next game with Portugal this weekend and we\u2019ll try and do the same again,\u2019 said Rowlands.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Wales fly-half Dan Biggar is likely to be rested against Pool C minnows Portugal on Sunday<\/p>\n
The former Wasps forward turned his back on Welsh club rugby amid its financial crisis last season to sign for Racing. He is a vital figure for Gatland given his power and size.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019ve loved the first couple of weeks here. The excitement around the World Cup everywhere you go in France is amazing,\u2019 Rowlands said.<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s been a really great experience so far and made me very excited to play a bit more rugby in France in the next few years.\u2019<\/p>\n
Wales name their team for Portugal on Wednesday.<\/p>\n