IT was a brilliant performance this weekend for a Brynamman rugby player at the Rugby World Cup.

Jac Morgan was left out of the Wales squad for the Portugal game when the team was announced last week, but came into the starting line up just minutes before the game was due to start on Saturday, September 18 after flanker Tommy Reffell had a tight calf.

It meant that co-captain Jac had just a few minutes to prepare for the game and ended up putting in a player of the match performance.

Throughout the game, it seemed like Jac was everywhere, putting in tackles all over the field and making ground with some good carries. He even got on the scoreboard in the 55th minute after powering over the line from close range.

Jac was joined on the scoreboard by Louis-Rees Zammit, fellow co-captain Dewi Lake and in the 83rd minute, Taulupe Faletau scoring the bonus point try.

There were tries disallowed for Wales too, with Johnny Williams and Gareth Davies having theirs chalked off.

After Jac’s player of the match performance in the 28-8 win over Portugal, he was praised by his coaches for stepping in at such a late moment.

Jac himself said that he hoped Tommy would be okay and that he had done a bit of a warm up so went out to ‘put on a performance.’

Head coach Warren Gatland said: “Tommy said his calf was a bit tight. He was keen to take to the field, but if he had pulled that calf that would have been his World Cup over.

“I thought Jac, with very little preparation this week, was good. We’re happy with the bonus point and in the dressing room I just said to the players that’s ‘job done.”  

Wales’ assistant coach and forwards specialist Jonathan Humphreys added: “Jac is incredible. He wasn’t due to be involved, and the non-(matchday) 23 (including Morgan) did weights and extra-conditioning in the morning. He is an incredible player.”

South Wales Guardian: Vincent Pinto was given a red card for the kick to Josh AdamsVincent Pinto was given a red card for the kick to Josh Adams (Image: PA)

Portugal’s Vincent Pinto was dismissed from the game in the 77th minute for a kick to the head of Wales’ replacement winger Josh Adams, who played for Hendy RFC.

The result for Wales – and Fiji’s win over Australia on Sunday – means that Wales currently top their group with a maximum of 10 points from their first two games, which means that they are in good shape ahead of next Sunday’s crunch clash against Australia, which is now a must-win for the Wallabies.