News24
12 Jun 2019, 17:42 GMT+10
Tokyo - Grand Slam winners Bryan Habana dismisses concerns over Boks' erratic form
Currently on a record 14-game win streak, Warren Gatland's high-flying side have the confidence and durability to go all the way in Japan, according to the country's greatest try-scorer.
"This is the biggest chance in Welsh history to go on and win the World Cup," said Williams, who reached the semi-finals with Wales in 2011.
"The fact that we've won the Grand Slam just goes to show we have the confidence and the ability to withstand all that pressure," he added.
Williams was speaking at an event in Tokyo to mark the 100-day countdown, where organisers unveiled a countdown clock and flagged off a domestic trophy tour in which the Webb Ellis Cup will visit all 12 host cities.
"Certainly what Wales have is momentum," Williams said. "They don't look like a side that can lose at the moment - I don't want to jinx them but that's a very good sign.
"To win a Grand Slam in a World Cup year just goes to show that you're doing something right."
Wales, who have shot to second in the world rankings behind defending champions New Zealand, are drawn alongside Australia, Fiji, Georgia and Uruguay in Pool D at this year's tournament, which kicks off on September 20.
Williams insisted there would be no easy games, tipping Fiji and fast-improving Georgia to provide stern tests.
But the 42-year-old backed a "best-ever" Wales side to come out breathing fire, boosted by their Six Nations heroics.
"As a player, the 2011 semi-final was gut-wrenching," said the former winger, recalling the 9-8 loss to France in Auckland.
"We were a good side, but this squad is even better - they have such strength in depth, no one's position is safe. There's always someone nipping at your heels.
"It doesn't normally happen going into a World Cup that Wales are up there as the favourites," added Williams.
New Zealand will be chasing a hat-trick of titles but Williams believes the Welsh can topple the All Blacks.
"Everyone in Wales is buzzing because this is probably the strongest we've been going into a World Cup. At the same time they know they can improve, so that makes Wales a very dangerous side."
Get a daily dose of Dublin News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Dublin News.
More InformationBASTROP, Texas: In a surprising turn at Elon Musk's X platform, CEO Linda Yaccarino announced she is stepping down, just months after...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
LONDON, U.K.: Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their most significant semi-annual inflow since the first half...
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rebounded Tuesday with all the major indices gaining ground. Markets in the UK, Europe and Canada...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Financial markets kicked off the week on a cautious note as President Donald Trump rolled out a fresh round...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Irish Rail incurred over 26,000 euros in damages due to a series of graffiti incidents carried out by a 24-year-old...
SLUBICE, Poland: Poland reinstated border controls with Germany and Lithuania on July 7, following Germany's earlier reintroduction...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Taoiseach Micheál Martin has expressed cautious optimism that the European Union and the United States can strike...
ZAGREB, Croatia: A massive concert by popular Croatian singer Marko Perković, known by his stage name Thompson, has drawn widespread...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Despite extreme heat gripping much of mainland Europe, Irish holidaymakers are pressing ahead with their travel plans,...
HONG KONG: China has fired back at the European Union in an escalating trade dispute by imposing new restrictions on medical device...