At the sixth time of asking on the 2015/16 circuit, Luke Treharne led his side to the main event on day two at BC Place Stadium last weekend.
A spirited display against hosts Canada saw Wales snatch a 26-19 victory in front of a partisan crowd with the last play of the match in their opening pool match. Russia were then dispatched with ease (52-0) before a final pool defeat to Australia (14-49).
Canada were unable to beat Russia by the required points difference (30) in the final pool match which meant Wales progressed through to the main draw for the first time this campaign.
Unfortunately Wales were left with only nine players due to injuries and ran into a rampant South Africa in the quarter-finals. The eventual finalists ran out convincing 26-0 winners before Wales’ campaign ended in the Plate semi-finals to USA (38-12).
“It was pleasing to make a quarter-final. It is another sign of progress moving in to the second half of the World Series,” said Williams.
“We want to keep progressing and playing the top nations more regularly to keep closing that gap and aid our own development.
“Vancouver was a fantastic new tournament, and the atmosphere for the Canadian match was up there with one of the best atmospheres I have experienced in rugby. To expose young players to that was fantastic, and to have the composure to respond from 14-0 down and win the game in the final play is testament to their progress, but also their ability in very stressful conditions.
“The professional job against Russia was the crowning point that qualified us for the quarter-finals. To keep them scoreless and score 52 points ourselves, made it very difficult for Canada, despite their earlier win against Australia.
“The squad are keen to recover, and get back on the training pitch in readiness for Hong Kong. We want to maintain the progress we are making, and start pulling the higher nations closer to us. The only way to do this is through playing them in the latter stages.”
