Spain’s Under-20 Team Looks to Bounce Back Against Fiji in World Cup Final
Spain’s under-20 rugby team, known as Los Leones, has had a tough ride in the recent World Cup, with two defeats under their belt. However, they still managed to make it to the final match against Fiji, a team with a full of defeats on their scorecard.
Learning Experience
Speaking to the press, coach Richard emphasized the importance of the tournament as a learning experience for the team. "We’ve had a requirement greater than just winning matches," he said. "We wanted to grow and compete in the last two games to be able to fight for permanence in the best possible way."
Approach to the Final Match
When asked about the team’s approach to the final match, Richard replied, "We believe this match may depend on the rain. If the weather permits, we’ll try to play more possession-based rugby. We’ve moved pieces so that everyone arrives well except for the loss of Guido, who cannot play due to injury."
The Importance of Collective Play
Fiji’s fast and agile players will provide a stern test for Los Leones, and Richard highlighted the importance of collective play. "We want to avoid those 1v1s are very dangerous. We want to win with a game collective that the team grows and stands out more as equipment more than by individualities."
Grade for the Tournament
When asked to grade the tournament, player Manex gave it a perfect score. "I’d give it a 10. Playing your first world cup is an experience unforgettable. Being here is unique, it’s a 10."
Looking to the Future
Looking ahead to the future, coach Richard emphasized the importance of physical preparation. "We’re not that far from being a Tier 1 team, but we are very far away at the level physical. At rugby level we can compete any team, but on a physical level is where we’ve been and will be able to work so that from now on."
Path to Success
When asked how many of the current players will be in the senior team soon, Richard replied, "The stakes are difficult, but between 4 and 5 of this cycle, they are going to fill positions. They are very good players and they are coming on strong."
Overall, Los Leones will be looking to bounce back from their defeats and make a statement in the final match against Fiji.
