Dragons hooker Elliot Dee admits the excitement is building ahead of Friday’s bronze medal clash with New Zealand.
Wales were beaten 19-16 by the Springboks at the semi-final stage and will now take on the All Blacks to play for third place in Japan in Tokyo.
“[After the semi-final] the boys are realising now we have a big challenge on Friday and we have got to turn some disappointment into some fire,” said Dee, who has been named as a replacement.
“We were right in it until the end against South Africa. There is always a belief in this team that we are going to win. “I don’t think anyone expected that we were going to lose even though it was such a tight game. It was just gutting seeing that penalty go over in that last five minutes."
Friday’s clash with New Zealand – who were beaten by England in their semi-final – will be the last game in charge of Wales for head coach Warren Gatland after 12 incredibly successful years.
“It is going to be a big test. The boys put a massive shift in at the weekend. It was a physical encounter, but it is what you dream about – playing the best teams in the world,” Dee said.
“I know all the boys are going to be excited to play the All Blacks on Friday.
“It is going to be an emotional night for the coaches and players. There are a lot of players who have only been coached by Warren and the rest of the staff since they have been in the squad.
“We owe a lot to Warren and the coaches and we want to put down a performance on Friday and send them off well.
“Warren has benefited me massively. It is all about getting a chance and Warren was the guy who gave me the chance and put some belief into me. That’s what rugby is about.
“I can only thank him for that. It was my dream to play for Wales and he was the guy who gave me that shot. I will always be really grateful and he is a great guy.”
On his first World Cup experience, Dragons man Dee added: “It’s been amazing and quite surreal.
“If you’d have asked me two or three seasons ago, I would never have thought I’d be out in Japan playing in a World Cup and it is something I’m really proud of. I have really enjoyed the experience.
“It’s been a long five months and over the last 18 months to two years the team has become really tight. It’s just an unbelievable environment to be in.”
If you’d have asked me two or three seasons ago, I would never have thought I’d be out in Japan playing in a World Cup and it is something I’m really proud of...
