Rugby World Cup 2015: Injury-hit Wales are not thinking about lifting trophy yet, says George North
Wales wing George North insists they have spent little time savouring Saturday’s 28-25 World Cup win over England at Twickenham.
North admits that upsetting the tournament hosts brought Warren Gatland’s injury-hit squad huge satisfaction but emphasised that they would not take stock – or contemplate their chances of lifting the trophy – until they have ensured their progress from Pool A.
“You have to enjoy your wins regardless of the short turnaround: how many times in your career will you be able to say you beat the host nation in their back garden?” said North. “It’s brilliant for us, but as soon as we got on the bus, the boys started to focus on the task in hand, the short turnaround and making sure everyone is fit and well for Fiji on Thursday.”
North, 23, was part of the Wales squad who defied the odds to reach the semi-finals four years ago in New Zealand. “We showed in the last World Cup we can do a lot of damage when we put our minds to it,” he added. “We do have injuries, but we have to make sure we are right for Fiji and after them, Australia. Then we will reassess, gather our thoughts and focus again.”