Whether the players believe in the inevitability of statistics or not Wales are trying to keep a lid on expectations ahead of the their quarter final with England.
The character of the eight tries to four, 53-37 loss to New Zealand in the final Pool D match in Sydney has created the expectation of a repeat in Brisbane on Sunday night.
While the 30 member squad is happy to have restored some pride in the scarlet jersey they are determined not to get carried away and leave their best form in the lines of newsprint produced to celebrate the performance.
Stats don't lie, do they?
While the Welsh lead the all time head to head stats 50-45 with 15 draws it is barely two months since a second string England humiliated Wales by a record 43-5 in Cardiff.
“History doesn't count for anything really in sport,” Welsh fly half John Thomas was heard to say after arriving in Brisbane for the Suncorp Stadium date.
Robert Sidoli chimed in that there was now no reason for Wales to doubt their place among the top eight teams in the world after exposing some interesting gaps in the All Black defensive line.
Sidoli, the 23 year old Celtic Warriors lock, was a tower of strength in the Welsh lineout. Considered one of the best lineout jumpers in the world, Sidoli forced the All Blacks to reorganise their system after stealing ball.
Combination with an Aussie
In the loose he used his 112kg frame to great effect in concert with Australian born lock Brent Cockbain the Welsh forwards had the better of their more illustrious counterparts for the middle 40 minutes of the contest.
"We don’t want to go backwards,” Sidoli chimed in. “We have put some respect back into Welsh rugby and that was important.
"But we have to follow it up with another performance this week against England.
"I think finally self belief can come through and perhaps next time we can do the right thing and actually win the game."
Is the gap closing
“We may have closed the gap a little bit, but we have to back that up with good organisation, discipline and an aggressive defensive line.
"We decided to run the ball and hold our passes and make the All Blacks make the defensive plays to get the ball back. Most teams kick to the All Blacks, but deny them the ball and they are just like any other team.
England have been dominant for the last two years but we have to believe.”