Uruguay skipper Santiago Vilaseca plays down fitness concerns

Santiago Vilaseca has insisted that Uruguay have the required fitness levels to push their Pool A opponents all the way at the Rugby World Cup.

The Southern Hemisphere side took an early 6-0 lead in their meeting with Wales this afternoon thanks to the kicking of Felipe Berchesi, but their opponents soon took control on home soil.

Despite seeing his side's early performance levels drop, Vilaseca is confident that Los Teros can cause the likes of Australia and England some real problems in the coming weeks.

"We are prepared for 80-minute games," the Uruguay skipper told reporters. "At some moments we have been low physically, but in general we have maintained a high level. We have a good year's training behind us and we are prepared to face every team, and we are very fit.

"We saw Fiji give England some problems and we are going to work to prepare for that match so that, if it is our last in this tournament, we want to show our best image."

Wales currently top the Pool A standings due to their superior points difference over England.