Alun Wyn Jones' remarkable claim about talk in Wales Six Nations camp
Alun Wyn Jones insists there is no Grand Slam chat in the Wales camp after his team moved ominously towards achieving another Guinness Six Nations clean sweep.
Victories over Italy and France next month would secure Wales’ sixth Six Nations title and fifth Grand Slam.
Triple Crown silverware is already in Wales’ trophy cabinet, courtesy of a startling 40-24 victory over pre-tournament favourites England.
It was the most points Wales have scored against their fiercest rivals since fixtures began between the two countries 140 years ago.
And as England imploded during a final quarter dominated by Wales’ goalkicking super-sub Callum Sheedy, so Wayne Pivac’s team marched imperiously on.
They have dropped just one point from a possible 15 during this season’s tournament, racking up 10 tries and heading to Rome in a fortnight’s time as overwhelming favourites.
But while Pivac has stressed that Wales will not be getting ahead of themselves, so skipper Jones has mirrored his coach’s approach.
“There is no talk of that (Grand Slam),” Jones said. “We didn’t really talk a lot about the Triple Crown this week.
“We came into this competition off the back of a disappointing Autumn Nations Cup, although it was about the strength in depth and giving players an opportunity.
3 down. 2 to go. #SixNations pic.twitter.com/1eBJM3V9ze
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“Italy historically get better as the competition goes on. They will be hurting from the defeats they’ve had, so that is our next focus.
“Momentum is important, we are pleased with the results, but anything after that is going to be muted.
“Sometimes after you win a game you would like another straight after to keep momentum going.
“We are faced with a challenge with the fallow week before a big game against Italy, and it is about what we do, not what we’ve done.”
How 70,000 Welsh supporters would have revelled in the Principality Stadium triumph, but ongoing restrictions meant everything unfolded behind closed doors and city centre streets being largely deserted as Cardiff basked in glorious winter sunshine
Jones added: “It has been a strange competition – all the teams have felt that without the fans.
“There is a lot going on at the moment, but hopefully we’ve shown a bit of pride in our nation and what people are going through at the minute.
Carling has hit at the 'tirade of abuse' directed at Farrell. https://t.co/WT3h8FafWr
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“We definitely felt their support – we saw the odd flag being waved on the way into the stadium, which was much appreciated. We are happy to give something back to the fans.”
Pivac, meanwhile, has masterminded an impressive title surge following a testing 2020 when Wales won just three games, beating Italy (twice) and Georgia, and including a run of six successive losses.
“We are happy for the players because they’ve put in so much work,” Pivac said.
“We get to see what is going on behind the scenes in terms of the camaraderie of everyone in the group, and I think that is shown for everyone watching.
“A lot of people may have thought that, at 24-24, England were coming pretty strong at us.
“But our guys found another gear again, and we are very pleased with that. We can keep building.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments