The tournament hosts are experiencing soaring temperatures, with World Rugby considering allowing intervals during each half to help sides conquer the heat.
Wales rugby head coach Warren Gatland wants no water breaks in Monday’s Rugby World Cup opener against Fiji in Bordeaux, France.
Speaking to Wales Online, Gatland said he is against the idea of water breaks during the World Cup fixtures amid soaring temperatures in France.
The tournament hosts are experiencing soaring temperatures, with World Rugby considering allowing intervals during each half to help sides conquer the heat.
But Gatland believes Wales’ punishing fitness camps in Turkey and Switzerland will stand his side in good stead in the challenging climes.
Wales trained amid temperatures of more than 30 degrees on Tuesday, while the forecast for Monday’s encounter is for 28 degrees at kick-off.
On whether he is a fan of water breaks during games, Gatland told a press conference:
“Not particularly. We like the ball on the park as much as possible. But we are not going to argue, if that’s what’s decided.”
Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui said they don’t have anything planned for the hot weather.
“We naturally train in it and I think Wales have done a lot of work in hot weather conditions,” he said.
“But the game is at nine o’clock (in France) so I think the weather is going to be a bit cooler. It will probably be around 28-30C so I think it will be great conditions for rugby and for both teams.”
The match kicks-off at 7am (Fiji time).
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
