Freeley Speaking: Welsh style perfect for Rugby World Cup

Welsh captain Sam Warburton with coach Warren Gatland. Photo / Getty Images

Track Mitch's Rugby World Cup adventures with his touring Twitter account: @NotSweetChariot

It's not often that we make any predictions worth shouting about on my Rugby World Cup blog. They're often aimless punditry on the tournament, coupled with gripes over my own team's inadequacies. However looking at the up coming semi-final between Wales and France, I can honestly say we were ahead of the curve in predicting Wales would do well.

In our third blog, sales assistant Mary of Bed, Bath & Table Dunedin called for Wales to go far. Though she went on purely nostalgic terms, we all knew she was ahead of her time clearly for seeing that the Welsh forward 'southern hemisphere' style was perfect for the World Cup.

In the spirit of that well thought-out, nostalgic comment from Mary, I thought a look at the Welsh side was in order, to see if they defeat the odds on Saturday by beating the French to reach their first ever World Cup Final.

Warren Gatland has created a young side with a number of players to form the core of the side for years to come. The likes of Scott Williams, George North and Sam Warburton have been superb for the Dragons so far, all are no older than 22, and the whole nation is behind them.

Already many pundits have called Wales "the All Blacks of the north" because of their forward free flowing style, much like the All Blacks, compared to the slow, defensive, smothering tactics of the English and French sides. But aside from playing styles there are plenty of similarities between the nations of Wales and New Zealand. Both nations are small in population, but are passionate for the game.

One man in Wales who will be watching eagerly is Elgan Hughes, a passionate rugby fan; he was the first person to congratulate me when I mentioned I was heading to see the Rugby World Cup. I caught up with him via e-mail to gauge his feelings on this Welsh revival:

"It's not a massive surprise to me really. The Welsh have always been known as strong ball carriers, but now we have a strong, physical side that can compete with the biggest sides in the world and win."

Elgan, who has represented his home town of Llandovery semi-professionally, genuinely thinks that the final is beckoning for the Welsh.

"I think you have to dream at this stage, no one gave us a prayer against the Irish and we won, and even though the French beat the English they have not been amazing, besides we deserve a final."

Deserving a final and getting to a final are two very differing things, but the Welsh are well equipped to stir up a result. James Hook will start at fly-half replacing James Priestland, who has been unable to train all week after picking up a shoulder knock after the victory over Ireland.

Kiwi boss Warren Gatland is eager not to celebrate too soon. He told media:

"Beating France on Saturday must be and will be our sole focus .The time to reflect and to celebrate will come if we win our next two matches, until that happens our focus on the task ahead must be absolute."

Until then the tiny nation of 3 million will be behind Wales, hoping that the "New Zealand of the north" can meet their southern hemisphere cousins come the 23rd of October.