24 years in 140 characters: Third in 87 but greatness went in a Jiffy. Samoa struck in 91 and pools also proved too deep in 95 and 07. Have a specific fear of islanders.
World Cup record:
1987: Semi-finals (3rd)
1991: Pool Stages
1995: Pool Stages
1999: Quarter-finals
2003: Quarter-finals
2007: Pool Stages.
Record in 2011: P9 W5 L4
Coach: Warren Gatland
Captain: Sam Warburton
How are they likely to get on? Warren Gatland has toughened up his charges this summer, to prepare for a physically gruelling pool. Victories over England and Argentina last month restored confidence after a disappointing end to the Six Nations, but they are vulnerable to injuries. Matthew Rees and Gavin Henson miss the trip while Gethin Jenkins and Stephen Jones are unlikely to be available for the first game, against South Africa. Wales have the capacity to thrill but they are likely to subordinate razzle-dazzle to caution. At least they have not travelled to New Zealand in their usual pre-World Cup state of upheaval. They have the capacity to surprise the Springboks, but it would be typically Welsh to beat the defending champions and then lose to Samoa.
Key player: Having lost their captain, Rees, to injury, Wales will need the experience and composure of Ryan Jones at No8. Showed the difference he makes when he came on as a second-half substitute at Twickenham in August.
Commentator's kit: Two of Wales's best young players were not born in Wales. The No8 Toby Faletau was born in Tonga and the wing George North was born in Kings Lynn, England.
Squad
Ryan Bevington, prop, age 22, caps 4
Paul James, prop, age 29, caps 26
Gethin Jenkins, prop, age 30, caps 76
Adam Jones, prop, age 30, caps 70
Craig Mitchell, prop, age 25, caps 10
Huw Bennett, hooker, age 28, caps 42
Lloyd Burns, hooker, age 26, caps 3
Ken Owens, hooker, age 24, caps 0
Luke Charteris, second-row, age 28, caps 25
Bradley Davies, second-row, age 24, caps 24
Alun Wyn Jones, second-row, age 25, caps 52
Dan Lydiate, flanker, age 23, caps 14
Andy Powell, flanker, age 30, caps 18
Sam Warburton (c), flanker, age 22, caps 17
Toby Faletau, No8, age 20, caps 3
Ryan Jones, No8, age 30, caps 53
Tavis Knoyle, scrum-half, age 21, caps 5
Mike Phillips, scrum-half, age 29, caps 54
Lloyd Williams, scrum-half, age 21, caps 1
James Hook, fly-half, age 26, caps 54
Stephen Jones, fly-half, age 33, caps 100
Rhys Priestland, fly-half, age 24, caps 4
Jonathan Davies, centre, age 23, caps 14
Jamie Roberts, centre, age 24, caps 32
Scott Williams, centre, age 20, caps 4
Aled Brew, wing, age 25, caps 7
Leigh Halfpenny, wing, age 22, caps 20
George North, wing, age 19, caps 8
Shane Williams, wing, age 34, caps 81
Lee Byrne, full-back, age 31, caps 44
Average age 25.6
Average caps 28.8
