Rugby League World Cup: Ex-coach Iestyn Harris disappointed with Wales attitude
Last updated on .From the section Rugby League
Rugby League World Cup on the BBC |
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Venues: Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea |
Dates: 27 October to 2 December |
Coverage: Watch live coverage and highlights on BBC TV, Connected TV, online & the BBC Sport app and listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and sports extra. |
Ex-coach and player Iestyn Harris has criticised Wales' performance in their World Cup-record 72-6 loss to Fiji.
Harris, 41, whose Wales side lost all three of their 2013 World Cup games, admits John Kear's side were never expected to beat Fiji in Townsville.
But the former Great Britain stand-off questioned the current side's attitude.
"I was just disappointed with the ease Fiji scored long-distance tries, they didn't really get any stoppage of momentum throughout the game," he said.
"There's other nations that have got similar squads as Wales that have done a lot better with their attitude.
"It's not a huge criticism because I understand it's a difficult position to be in and I've ultimately been in that position myself, so just looking on as a Welshman and a fan it's disappointment.
"There's no disputing there was a gulf in class between the two sides and physicality as well.
"I don't think we expected to win that game with the quality that Fiji had in their ranks, but the disappointment came from when you wear a Welsh shirt you've got to give absolutely everything you've got.
"We're not always going to beat the bigger nations but you make a nuisance of yourself and you make it difficult for them to get into any fluency, and you make it difficult for them to get over the top of you as a team."
Wales lost their opening game 50-6 against co-hosts Papua New Guinea in a sweltering Port Moresby, and will end their tournament against Ireland in Perth on Sunday.
The Irish have to beat Wales and rely on an unlikely USA win over PNG earlier on Sunday to progress to the quarter-finals after losing narrowly 14-6 to PNG and beating Italy 36-12 in their opening match.
You can follow the fortunes of your favourite team with live match notifications sent straight to your phone or tablet via the BBC Sport app. Line-up, kick-off, score, half-time and full-time options are available for all teams participating at the World Cup.
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RL World Cup is the biggest non event on the world sporting stage.
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But you just thought you'd scan BBC Sport's Rugby League pages, and make a comment anyway.
I expect you'd be tapping away on your keyboard like a 'gud un', if Archery had a HYS. Another chance to belittle shouldn't go amiss. Sad sack.
As for a none event you obviously didn’t see the games in Hamilton or Port Moresby at the weekend or the efforts from Ireland or Lebanon
These half-decent players in a few sports do seem to fail at coaching level with players of lesser ability.
Try encouragement?
answer - when you wear an English white shirt
shame on england
RL World Cup is the biggest non event on the world sporting stage.