![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/sport\/sport-135x135.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Will Rowlands played down his defensive heroics in Wales\u2019 thrilling Rugby World Cup victory over Fiji, claiming \u201cI just see it as me doing my job.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wales made a World Cup record of 253 tackles in the game, which they won 32-26, and lock Rowlands was at the heart it.<\/p>\n
He delivered 27 tackles and missed none as Wales held on amid intense late pressure to claim a bonus-point win in their Pool C opener.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always find it a bit weird when the number of tackles becomes the headline because you defend in a system,\u201d Rowlands said.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuys run at you and you tackle them. It\u2019s nice people say nice things, but I just see it as me doing my job for the team.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2022\/11\/30\/15\/GettyImages-1388382959%20copy.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2022\/12\/01\/03\/GettyImages-1245251240.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cFive points against the Fijians is fantastic for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe spoke about it today when we reviewed it that we did lots of things we wanted to do, and in the periods we were in control we built a nice little lead on them.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then there were parts of the game we need to look at and focus on which allowed them back into the game and set us up for a nervy finish, but game one, five points \u2013 very happy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had gone into the World Cup feeling pretty confident, we had done some good work and we are in a good place going into the games physically.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a big first game for us to play Fiji. They are a dangerous team. To get a win is fantastic, and now we focus on the next game with Portugal this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/mobile-stores\/Amazon_Prime.svg\")
<\/p>\n
Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video<\/p>\n
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video<\/p>\n
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial<\/p>\n
Wales head coach Warren Gatland is set to name his starting line-up on Wednesday for the Portugal clash at Stade de Nice on Saturday.<\/p>\n
And changes \u2013 possibly into double figures \u2013 could be made, especially considering the punishing nature of Fiji\u2019s challenge and a six-day turnaround between games.<\/p>\n
Wales assistant coach Jonathan Thomas said: \u201cYou will have seen for yourselves what a physical game it was and the amount of tackles we made. There are a number of sore bodies, but there are no injury concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team gets named tomorrow but I think it is safe to say there will be changes. We\u2019ve got complete and utter faith in our whole squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think what you will have seen from the Six Nations and then going into the three (World Cup) warm-up games, there have been opportunities for players.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were snapshots in those warm-up games where a number of players did particularly well.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that gives you the ability to make changes and freshen things up. It is a six-day turnaround, so it makes sense to make a few changes with the nature of the game we\u2019ve just played.\u201d<\/p>\n
Players who could make their first starts of the tournament include full-back Leigh Halfpenny, wing Rio Dyer, centre Mason Grady, scrum-half Tomos Williams, lock Dafydd Jenkins and flanker Dan Lydiate.<\/p>\n
Thomas added: \u201cAre we satisfied with where we are at? There is always room for improvements for growth in our game. We are certainly not getting ahead of ourselves.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/12\/17\/c6e1ac83c5d9cea3a774d979629c718aY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk0NjIwOTA4-2.73676539.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/12\/17\/0d16be582c37644363a4499f96c0a645Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk0NjIwNTg1-2.73669361.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/12\/15\/4774cd665c64d9f20ff21104fed87eecY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk0NjE0NTUz-2.73424350.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cFiji are a team that hold possession particularly well, they are big powerful men with good ability, so they have the ability to maintain possession particularly well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got belief in our defensive structures. We are not afraid to play without the ball at times.\u201d<\/p>\n