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Alun-Wyn Jones on his World Cup hurt and what he needs to do to gain 2021 Lions selection
Wales captain Alun-Wyn Jones admits that World Cup pain is spurring him on to make a fourth British and Irish Lions tour.
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Jones, who became Wales’ most capped player last month, has been tipped as a possible Lions captain when Warren Gatland’s tourists take on South Africa in July 2021.
The Ospreys lock forward will be nearly 36 by then, but Jones’ performances at the recent World Cup in Japan, where Wales finished fourth, suggest that he remains at the peak of his powers.
“I am not going to lie, I am aware it’s there, but it’s a two-pronged answer,” Jones said after being named BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year 2019. “You are never going to say never, but you don’t want to be too greedy as well.
“I am fully aware you have to be fit and playing well to be selected. If the planets align and I am potentially still there, then it’s somebody else’s decision. The losses still hurt but they inspire you to go on as well. It does spur you on and make you want to go again.”
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Jones, who has also been shortlisted for the BBC’s UK-wide Sports Personality of the Year award this weekend, has enjoyed a stellar 2019.
He was instrumental as Wales won the Grand Slam, claimed the top spot in the World Rugby rankings and reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.
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Jones’ final game of the tournament – against New Zealand – saw him win his 134th Wales cap, which added to his nine Tests for the Lions and saw him surpass Italy’s Sergio Parisse to move to second in the world all-time caps list with 143.
? Wales men's rugby union captain Alun Wyn Jones is the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year for 2019.
? https://t.co/461m3QAh8Q pic.twitter.com/g6jNXLHTUe— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) December 11, 2019
Only Richie McCaw, who led the All Blacks to World Cup success in 2011 and 2015, has more caps to his name with 148. Jones could equal that mark in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations when Wales will be under the charge of new head coach Wayne Pivac.
Asked if he was excited by the new era, Jones said: “Massively so. “One of the highlights of the year was the Grand Slam, but you also look at the likes of Josh Adams, Aaron Wainwright, Tomos Williams and others.
“People have had opportunities and stood up. That’s probably as big as a Grand Slam and with a new coach, it’s exciting times. I’ve sat down with him (Pivac) on a few occasions.
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Rugby World magazine stirs the pot with a World XV for 2019 where South Africa don't have it all their own way
https://t.co/hLPjphfOE8— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 10, 2019
“I was in for that Barbarians week on the three days that he wanted everyone in. I think there were a few raised eyebrows after the World Cup, but it was invaluable really as time is always precious.”
Jones missed the non-capped Test match victory over the Barbarians at the end of November with a groin injury that has sidelined him since the World Cup. But he hopes to return to action for the Ospreys over Christmas and build up his fitness before Wales’ Six Nations opener against Italy on February 1.
“We are carrying a bit of hurt from the World Cup,” Jones said. “I am on a personal level because we went out there believing we could win it.
Wayne Pivac will walk the Gatland's Gate countless times but he will look to forge his own identity on a team that showed encouraging signs against the Baabaas, according to @OwainJTJones https://t.co/bJ0DDloj2w
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 2, 2019
“Having had the Sunday morning after Grand Slams and Championships and winning trophies you want that. Warren was honest, consistent and essentially really proud of what he did and what he created with Wales.
“The phrase has been coined that it’s Wayne’s World now. Wayne is going to do it in his way but carry on with some of the foundations that have been laid.”
– Press Association
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Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments