North Confident of Progressing
ByWales’ wing wonder George North has admitted his side have been given no favours in the group stages of the upcoming World Cup, with South Africa, Namibia, Fiji and Samoa standing between the Welsh and a place in the quarter-finals. An opening game clash against the defending world champions South Africa will certainly give the Welsh no time to ease themselves into the tournament, with Fiji lying in wait in the final group game, one which could be defining. The Betfair Rugby Union odds provide a good indication of their chances.
Winger North was studying for his GCSE’s when Wales met Fiji in the group stage of the 2007 World Cup, the Pacific Islanders going on to claim a famous 38-34 victory, robbing the Welsh a place in the knockout stages. Revenge will be the main motivation when Warren Gatland’s men meet the Fijians, although Wales will be hoping their isn’t the same pressure on them when the two sides met four years ago. It will be interested to just whether their previous World Cup meeting plays any bearing on the Rugby Union betting odds.
19-year old North has made it clear the group stage is in no way a stepping stone and the squad will have to be fully focused and ready to get themselves through a “nasty group”. The talented winger is eyeing progressing through the group as winners, which would mean victory against the world champions, albeit an out-of-form Springboks squad.
“It’s a nasty group with the world champions and then Fiji and the Samoans to come.”
“We can go as far as we believe we can go. If we get out of the group then we have a great chance in the quarters and even the semi-final.”
“I think if we carry on our form and take it into South Africa then hopefully we can get the win and progress through the group.”
North will have fond memories when he lines up against the Springboks, the winger scoring two tries in a scintillating debut performance against South Africa last year. The youngster has continued to improve and impress whenever in a Wales shirt and people are already backing him to go on and surpass Shane Williams’ mammoth 54 tries. North currently sits on six tries in just eight matches and many are expecting big things from the powerful winger during this World Cup.
Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide
North Confident of Progressing
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