Warren Gatland believes that Wales’ current squad is the most competitive of his 10-year reign as head coach.
Gatland made 14 changes from the side that claimed a first victory over Australia since 2008 against Tonga on Saturday – and Wales scored 50 second-half points to win 74-24 and make it eight games unbeaten.
They have not lost since midway through last season’s Six Nations championship, while victory over South Africa next weekend would give Wales a first clean sweep of wins in one autumn campaign following earlier successes this month against Scotland and Australia.
It all adds up to them being in a strong position 10 months out from the World Cup, and Gatland looks set to encounter some testing selection decisions before his 31-man group for Japan is finalised next September.
“It’s not about it being tough, it’s nice to have those headaches,” said Gatland, whose Wales tenure will end after the World Cup.
Wales decimated Tonga for their eighth straight win.
“The hardest thing for me about selection is the players who miss out. I know how disappointed they are, and I expect that because they should back themselves to be in the team.
“There are definitely going to be some disappointed players next week (ahead of the South Africa game).
“Absolutely, this is the most competitive squad we’ve had. We have always spoken about creating depth, and we’ve done that.
“The pleasing thing for me now is, I can pick a bench knowing they are going to have a strong impact as well.
“Then there are guys who are missing out on the match-day 23 and are really disappointed because they think they are good enough to be involved. That is the most positive thing for me, and I think going forwards, Welsh rugby is in a good place.
“We’ve spoken about the next eight to 10 months, and for all of us as a coaching set-up, we’ve said that when we leave, we want to leave the squad in the best possible position.
“That means being successful up to and at the World Cup.”
Wales player celebrate their historic victory over Australia.
Wales suffered a solitary loss during each of their autumn schedules in 2002 and 2016, but a 100 per cent record can now be achieved by toppling a Springboks outfit they have defeated in four of the last five meetings.
And if Wales emerge unbeaten it will follow a successful summer tour when they edged out South Africa in Washington before seeing off Argentina twice in South America.
Gatland added: “Next week is going to be very important for us, and if we can win that, then we’ve gone a couple of campaigns unbeaten.
“It is all about next year, but the pleasing thing for me is we are creating momentum, self-belief and confidence. We are definitely doing that.
“Winning is a habit, and so is losing. To continue to win, sometimes you have to win ugly and have a bit of luck as well.
“The squad is in a really good place mentally, there is some real competition, and we are building nicely to next year.”
