The temperature has been rising at Wales training this week as they get fired up to face Australia on Sunday.
It’s the biggest game of the Pool stage for both teams and the winner is likely to end up in the slightly more favourable side of the draw for the knockout stages.
That is not lost on Warren Gatland’s squad and it is understood that players not in the starting side have been bringing a real edge to training, motivated by the disappointment.
And captain Alun Wyn Jones, who becomes Wales’ most-capped player this weekend, revealed that blood has been spilled.
“I think there are a few guys who have been frustrated with selection but that’s a good thing because it breeds competitiveness in the squad,” he said.
“There was a bit of red stuff flowing yesterday but it was all well meant because it was for the betterment of the team.
“We’re going to continue that with a slight taper ready for our team run ahead of Sunday.”
When quizzed on the topic, hooker Ken Owens said: “My black eye is from the game on Monday. Training has been good. There’s been a good edge there which shows we’ve got an important game on Sunday.
“All the boys have trained well and you need that little bit of edge getting ready for the Test match. Like Al says, there’s been that edge, which focuses the mind.”
Scrum-half Gareth Davies added: “It keeps the boys on their toes and some boys are a little bit disappointed when the team is named. It’s important to have that little bit of an edge, which sets us up nicely for the game.”
Wales have two more training sessions before they face Australia at Tokyo Stadium on Sunday.
