Six Nations 2015: Wales will go into World Cup on high, says Webb
Ospreys scrum-half in buoyant mood after impressive Six Nations campaign saw Wales win their last four matches
Rhys Webb believes Wales will go into the Rugby World Cup on a high after finishing the RBS 6 Nations strongly with four wins from five.
The Ospreys scrum-half was an instrumental figure in the second half of Wales’ record 61-20 win over Italy in Rome on Saturday afternoon.
We are in a good place, and we will take a lot of positives from our performance in Italy.
Rhys Webb
While it wasn’t enough for Wales to secure the title, it was a superb second-half performance at the Stadio Olimpico as Wales ran in 47 points as they chased a third title in four years.
Warren Gatland’s men have still been left to rue their opening round defeat to England in Cardiff that came from a poor second-half performance, but they rebounded well to win their next four, including an impressive Grand Slam-busting win over champions Ireland last month.
And Webb insists that Wales will take a lot of positives going into their World Cup training camps.
“We have grown game to game, and we have shown our attacking ability and what we can do,” Webb said.
“We are kicking ourselves a little bit for that second half against England, but you can’t dwell on it, and we have finished the competition on a high.
“We are in a good place, and we will take a lot of positives from our performance in Italy.
“We will work hard at the training camps in the summer, and go to the World Cup on a high.”
Wales led 14-13 at the break through a Jamie Roberts try, two penalties from Leigh Halfpenny and a third from Dan Biggar before turning on the style in the second half as they ran in seven tries.
We have shown our attacking intent and that we can score some tries. We always want to play running rugby, but there is a time and a place.
Rhys Webb
Northampton Saints winger George North became the first Welsh player to score a championship hat-trick as he crossed the line three times in 11 minutes.
There were also tries for Liam Williams, Sam Warburton, Scott Williams and Webb, with Biggar landing six conversions.
And Webb admits that Wales ran riot after the break as Wales showed their attacking intent.
“We always knew Italy would be strong in the first half,” Webb added.
“We expected what they came with, but we knew if we kept the ball for long phases, we would stress them.
“In the second half, we kept hold of the ball and ran riot.
“It is about starting well in international rugby. It’s that 15-20 minutes after half-time, and against England we were slow starting and that cost us a Grand Slam.
“For me, I have really enjoyed my time starting in the autumn Tests and the Six Nations.
“I need to keep up my performances with the Ospreys now, and then work hard for the number nine jersey for the World Cup.
“I have been focused on getting the ball away as fast as I can to let our exciting backs get ball in hand.
“We have shown our attacking intent and that we can score some tries.
“We always want to play running rugby, but there is a time and a place. The coaches have said ‘if it’s on, go’. It is about game management.”
