Far from being distraught at coming so close to suffering one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, Wales' players insisted that their narrow 27-20 win over Tonga was just what they needed. "It was a good eye-opener for us," said Wales flanker Martyn Williams. "We were comfortable in our opening win over Canada and we needed a test like this before meeting Italy and New Zealand.
Williams was Wales' substitute saviour, coming off the bench to score an unlikely drop goal and the game's crucial try, but he was keen to pay credit to the spirited South Sea islanders.
"It wasn't a vintage Welsh performance, but you can't take anything away from Tonga," said the back-row man.
"They were so physical and committed and hit us hard, but we knew they would be like that after seeing their performance against Italy - that game could have gone either way."
Despite his kicking success, Williams does not expect to make the drop goal a regular part of his repertoire. "That was my first and last one for Wales, the way I struck it," he laughed. "It was just one of those things - I knew we had the penalty so I took my opportunity."
Williams' praise of Wales' opponents was echoed by his captain, Colin Charvis.
"We never expected or anticipated an easy night against the Tongans, we knew how physical they would be," said Charvis.
"We both made mistakes and they took it to us right to the end. I think it was a case of us playing badly and them playing out of their skins.
"The conditions and slippy ball didn't suit us but we were able to grind out a win."
Wales coach Steve Hansen is confident that Sonny Parker will be fit for next Saturday's crunch encounter with Italy. The centre was a last-minute withdrawal from the Tongan game because of a back strain, but Hansen says that was a precautionary move and in an emergency Parker could have played.
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I think it was a case of us playing badly and them playing out of their skins 
Squad selector
England heroes profiled