Wales captain Sam Warburton has been backed to make a quick recovery from the crushing blow of his World Cup being ended by suspension.
Warburton has started serving a three-week ban following his sending off by Irish referee Alain Rolland for a dangerous tackle on France wing Vincent Clerc during Saturday’s 9-8 semi-final defeat.
He will miss the bronze medal match against Australia next Friday and cannot return to action until 7 November.
Prop Gethin Jenkins is favourite to assume leadership duties when Wales face the Wallabies at Eden Park, with Dan Lydiate possibly being switched from blindside to openside as Warburton’s replacement.
“What’s gone is gone, there is not an awful lot we can do about it,” Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins said, following Warburton’s red card and subsequent disciplinary hearing.
“We have obviously got to respect the decisions they have made and move forward.
“It’s in the past now, and we have got to look forward to Friday’s game and try to put it to the back of our minds. We will move on and take the medicine that has been given to us.
“Alain (Rolland) is an experienced referee, he has made the call and you have got to respect that.
“To be fair to the young kid (Warburton) he has been outstanding. He has been outstanding all tournament in terms of his play and his leadership.
Sometimes, in disappointment you learn a lot about yourself. He is not a malicious player, we all know that, he’s a fantastic player.
“It is something you have just got to get over and recover quickly from. I am sure he will recover quite quickly from it.”