Wales have never surpassed their third place in 1987 and have been scarred by losses to Samoa and Fiji at subsequent World Cups.
In 1999 and 2003 they went down to the eventual winners, Australia and England respectively, but four years ago their loss to Fiji in a pool match cost them a quarter-final place.
That was the third tournament at which the Welsh failed get out of the group stage.
Coach Warren Gatland of New Zealand will be trying to change that with a side led by the youngest player to captain Wales at a World Cup, Cardiff Blues flanker Sam Warburton, 22.
Hopes of fielding an all-Lions front-row were ruined though when hooker and captain Matthew Rees was ruled out earlier in August with a neck injury.
The Welsh won't have an easy start to the tournament - they play the Cup holders South Africa on 11 September.
They have never played the Springboks at a World Cup and the match at Albany looks as if it could be one of the highlights of the pool stages.
But they will need the likes of Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones and Andy Powell to get enough frontfoot ball to free up talented backs such as Lee Byrne, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts and Shane Williams.
Wales also play Fiji, Samoa and Namibia in their group.