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Richie McCaw celebrates World Cup victory - Source: Reuters -
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Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards believes his side could have beaten the All Blacks if they qualified for the Rugby World Cup final last month.
Wales haven't beaten New Zealand since 1953 but Edwards thinks the 2011 Welsh vintage had the ammunition to take out their maiden World Cup title
"I just think had we have gotten into the final, given the size of our team, we could have matched them," Edwards told the Six Nations website.
Edwards says his side would have tried to expose the parts of the All Black backline where Wales had a size advantage.
"To be going into a game where your team is bigger that the All Blacks is very unusual, bar South Africa it just doesn't happen."
"I felt with having three backs over 105kgs, had we come up against the likes of Conrad Smith, Nonu and potentially Sonny Bill we would brought it to them - it would have been a great match up."
As it turned out, Wales was controversially knocked out of the semi-finals by France 9-8 after their captain Sam Warburton was sent off in the 21st minute for a lifting tackle on winger Vincent Clerc.
Wales had their chances to win though and crucially missed three shots at goal.
"It was massively disappointing," Edwards said. "When I'm old and grey sitting in my rocking chair I'll look back and say yeah we done well but it was it a missed opportunity not to come home with a gold medal."
Wales ended up losing in the bronze medal playoff 21-18 to Australia while France pushed the All Blacks all the way before going down 8-7 in an epic final.
What are your thoughts? Comment below.
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Post new commentioneeye said on 2012-02-19 @ 00:55 NZDT: Report abusive post
Edwards has been a dreamer for years. His mind is confused as the English Selectors, however how many Welshmen have said they could have ! A snowball will freeze in Hell before this happens, Wales to win the W.R.C.what a joke.
kaiviti2 said on 2011-11-10 @ 08:03 NZDT: Report abusive post
France also had a size advantage in the backline over NZ.. just wishful thinking from Wales
wrighta said on 2011-11-10 @ 01:46 NZDT: Report abusive post
As much as I enjoy watching the way Wales are playing, their record at RWC was not good. They lost to South Africa, France and Australia, with victory over Ireland the only 'big-name' scalp. 1 out of 4 is not a good enough basis to even talk the talk, let alone prove you can walk the walk.
jeremys said on 2011-11-09 @ 23:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
Ah the could have been world cup. What a great event that is. Even Namibia have won that, gloriously beating the All Blacks 100-0 in the Final. Who cares if a hypothetical Wales can win the world cup. The real one patently couldn't. Nuff said.
markfeenstra said on 2011-11-09 @ 22:26 NZDT: Report abusive post
Let's just wait and see what happens when the opportunity arises for words to become deeds. Words about would have happened or could have happened are basically devoid of substance.