In an exclusive interview with ITV Wales, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his gratitude to Wales and their rugby guru, Warren Gatland, for handing Australia a resounding defeat at the Rugby World Cup.
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Sunak openly admitted his enjoyment at seeing Australia on the receiving end of a “hammering,” a result he believes “makes everyone happy.”
The Prime Minister even hinted that this Welsh triumph might be viewed as retaliation for Australia’s retention of the Ashes in a 2-2 draw during the summer cricket series.
Sunak remarked, “It’s great that all our home nations are making good progress and still in it. I was particularly pleased post-Ashes to see Wales give Australia a proper drubbing as they deserve.”
When asked about his preference between England and Wales in the tournament, Sunak diplomatically responded, “Don’t get me drawn on all these things. I’m Prime Minister for the whole United Kingdom. Football and cricket are my main sports, but as I said, very grateful to the Welsh team for hammering the Aussies.
“That makes everyone happy, and particularly after the Ashes. It’s very good news and I wish everybody luck.”
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No room for Jonny Wilkinson in Sir Ian McGeechan’s dream rugby XV
BACK-THREE
Fullback: JPR Williams (Wales) – “Not a staggeringly original choice, I’ll admit. But to my mind the only one. If I’m going to be picking a dream XV over the next few days then I want JPR at the back. No question.”
Left-wing: Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) – “Illness and injury ultimately slowed him down. But his performances at the 1995 World Cup, just as the game was turning professional, will never be forgotten. The game needed a superstar, and it got one in Lomu. He was brilliant for rugby.”
Right-wing: John Kirwan (New Zealand) – “He had an all round game; he could carry the ball through heavy traffic, he could offload, he was like an extra back-rower at times. Plus, he had natural effortless pace. He ended up scoring 35 tries for the All Blacks and was instrumental as they went through their unbeaten spell of games between 1987 and 1990.”
CENTRES
Outside-centre: Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland) – “His ability to get back on his feet after tackling to compete for the ball was extraordinary, and ensured he always had an impact on the game, whatever type of game it was. He was such a natural talent.”
Inside-centre: Philippe Sella (France) – “Sella and O’Driscoll were powerful men. They could stop a forward in his tracks. I think as a pair they would dominate any midfield and I like the thought of them together.”