Iestyn Harris is facing the most important game of his rugby union career as Wales look to book a quarter-final showdown with England.
The former rugby league star, who turned down an offer to return “north” on the eve on the World Cup, is expected to start the vital Pool D clash with Italy in Canberra on Saturday.
And given that success or failure for Wales rests on the outcome, Harris is under no illusions of the responsibility that rests on both him and the team.
“It’s definitely the biggest game since I have been in rugby union and it’s the one I have been waiting for since I first arrived in Wales,” said Harris.
“I have always had the World Cup in my mind though it’s probably the biggest game that 95 per cent of the other guys in the squad have ever played.
“Both sides have won two games and now it all comes down to this crunch game of the group with a place in the quarter-finals beckoning for the winner. We are all aware of that and I think it’s going down to the wire.
“If we win it takes all the pressure off us and means we don’t have to face New Zealand needing a victory.”
Harris has won his last seven caps at inside centre after losing the outside-half spot, ironically, following the shock defeat to Italy in February.
However Wales coach Steve Hansen may be tempted to return Harris to his club position once again given his form, especially in comparison to that of Stephen Jones, and Ceri Sweeney’s relative inexperience.
Though the Cardiff playmaker was eager to curb expectations that have soared again since his one-man demolition of Canada in the opening game.
“I’ve seen before how expectations rise to unrealistic levels after just one game so I don’t think people should get carried away,” said Harris.
“You’re only as good as your last game and we all struggled against Tonga.
Perhaps that was because we had an eye on the big game against Italy who seemed to do the same thing against Canada.
“We have obviously looked at that game and ways that we can attack them. But Italy are looking a good side. They are a close-knit set of players and have a big set of forwards so our pack must stand up to them if we are going to win.”
