";s:4:"text";s:8197:" Watch highlights on BBC TV, Connected TV, online & the BBC Sport app and listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live. But with eight minutes left Jonathon Ford sealed a 28-24 win with a fifth try for the Cook Islands. And in a World Cup being hosted jointly in England, Wales, France and Ireland, the Dragons - with a squad including 14 players from Super League clubs - harboured ambitions of reaching at least the quarter-finals. Harris converted all three tries, and with Briers adding two drop-goals Wales led 20-8 and were sniffing one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. Wales began with defeat by France in Toulouse but rebounded to beat England 12-7 in a match played at Lang Park in Brisbane, with Dai Watkins, Clive Sullivan and David Treasure grabbing tries for Wales. targeted qualifying for the quarter-finals. over Papua New Guinea in their first knock-out match before facing favourites Australia in the semi-finals in Huddersfield. But Australia reduced the deficit to 20-14 before half-time as Brad Fittler crossed for a converted try, then snuffed out Welsh hopes with a scintillating display in the final 25 minutes of the game. Dai Watkins was a star for Wales in both codes and a key part of the 1975 national rugby league side But Australia reduced the deficit to 20-14 before half-time as Brad Fittler crossed for a converted try, then snuffed out Welsh hopes with a scintillating display in the final 25 minutes of the game. grandson of World Cup winner Colin Dixon. While the current squad waits to write the next chapter of Wales' World Cup story, BBC Sport Wales looks back at the highs and lows of previous tournaments. Wales were holding their hosts 2-2 with a quarter of the match gone before a flowing length-of-the-pitch England move, started by wing Jason Robinson, ended with Paul Newlove forcing his way over in the corner. However, in front of 30,000 fans at Old Trafford, England gained their revenge with a 25-10 win. But before Wales complete their 2013 campaign, BBC Sport looks back at the history of Wales in rugby league's showpiece event. - another Wigan legend - Wales did not play in a World Cup until 1975. The Webb Ellis Cup is the prize presented to winners of the Rugby World Cup, named after William Webb Ellis.
Wales have been a core team that has competed in all legs of the IRB Sevens Series since the 2007–08 season. That meant Wales were able to field the likes of Jonathan Davies, John Devereux, Allan Bateman, Scott Gibbs, Adrian Hadley, Scott Quinnell and Dai Young, alongside those like Harris, Anthony Sullivan and Keiron Cunningham who had grown up within rugby league. Wales had just Rowland Phillips' try to show in that second period, but it was a beauty of quick thinking and quick feet.
and a potential showdown with his former charges England. In 2006–07, Wales competed in the Dubai, South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong, Scotland and England legs of the IRB's World Sevens Series, reaching the semi-finals of the cup at Twickenham and Murrayfield. Peace was eventually restored and the next World Cup was held in 2000, although the Wales side had a much-changed character about it. With Australia continuing to dominate rugby league, there had been a move to reintroduce a Great Britain side for the 1998 World Cup - a proposal that predictably angered the Welsh - but in the end the tournament was cancelled because of the Super League power struggle. When Christiaan Roets scored the opening try everything seemed to be going to plan but from then on it was all USA, as Clint Newton twice, Matthew Petersen, Joseph Paulo and Tuisegasega Samoa all crossed for the Tomahawks. But despite producing players of the calibre of wing, Wigan's all-time record try scorer, great Salford and Workington Town centre. After the siren sounded to indicate there was no time left on the clock Argentina fumbled the ball in a ruck leading to the ball being kicked out of play and Wales being crowned the 2009 Sevens Rugby World Cup Champions. Wales had just Rowland Phillips' try to show in that second period, but it was a beauty of quick thinking and quick feet. When Brett Kimmorley and Wendell Sailor crossed early for the Kangaroos it seemed as though everything was going to script, but Wales produced a thrilling reply with three tries in eight minutes. But St Helens wing Regan Grace, 20, and loose forward club-mate Morgan Knowles, also 20, were both nominated for the Super League Young Player of the Year, while uncapped 22-year-old Halifax centre Chester Butler has the pedigree of being the. WALES welcomed the world in 1999 as the host nation, although there were matches held in Ireland, France, Scotland and England in the first 20-team tournament. When Brett Kimmorley and Wendell Sailor crossed early for the Kangaroos it seemed as though everything was going to script, but Wales produced a thrilling reply with three tries in eight minutes. Kear is bullish about their chances and has targeted qualifying for the quarter-finals, and a potential showdown with his former charges England. Wales were drawn in Group 2 alongside New Zealand, Lebanon and the Cook Islands - their first opponents, whom they disposed of 38-6 with ex-North Queensland centre Kris Tassell scoring a hat-trick. Mills, who also played six Tests for Great Britain, got his marching orders for stamping on the head of John Greengrass as the Kiwi prop went over for a try. Get latest scores and headlines sent straight to your phone, sign-up to our newsletter and learn where to find us on online. Wales were holding their hosts 2-2 with a quarter of the match gone before a flowing length-of-the-pitch England move, started by wing Jason Robinson, ended with Paul Newlove forcing his way over in the corner. That saw a greater percentage of the squad drawn from rugby league's traditional territory, while the management's search for players with Welsh heritage unearthed a few gems such as Canberra Raiders prop Justin Morgan. After that set-back Wales were expected to beat World Cup debutants USA in their next match in Wrexham. While not a nation usually associated with rugby league excellence, the sizable number of second and third generation Lebanese in Australia meant Wales' opponents were actually packed with NRL experience. But Lebanon staged a thrilling fightback as Hassan Saleh went over for two converted tries in the final three minutes, leaving Wales clinging on for a precious 24-22 win.