Fans hail the legendary AW Jones' show of faith to Ospreys and WRU
Ever since Alun Wyn Jones lifted the Six Nations trophy in Cardiff in March, there has been a lot of speculation over his future with both Wales and the Ospreys.
The talismanic lock had been linked with a number of lucrative moves, particularly across the border to the English Premiership. However, he has committed to the Ospreys and the Welsh Rugby Union until June 2021.
The 125-cap Wales international took to social media to announce the news, saying this on Instagram: “After serious consideration and taking stock of all options, it is the right decision for my career at this point in time, along with my personal ambitions on and off the field, my welfare and needs of my family.”
There has been a significant reaction on social media from Welsh fans, who would have been fearing a future without the 2019 Six Nations player of the championship.
The second row’s stock could not be higher at the moment and his loyalty has been praised, particularly as there would have been a lot of demand from clubs that can offer a lot more money. His decision to stay in Swansea has only boosted his legendary status.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzsOsGAJKxc/
Some fans have stressed the importance of this decision, comparing Jones’ influence on Wales and the Ospreys to Lionel Messi’s with Barcelona.
However, it’s particularly important over the next two years as the national team will be going through a transitional phase after 11 years with the departing Warren Gatland.
With Wayne Pivac taking over after the World Cup, Jones’ presence and leadership could prove crucial as a new system and structure is implemented.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzsSsr5ADoi/
Furthermore, some fans have been looking ahead to the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2021. Although he is 33 now, there are not only calls for Jones to go on his fourth Lions tour, but to captain them.
It does not seem coincidental that Jones’ contract runs until the prestigious tour, as he has surely set his sights on avenging the series loss in 2009.
But for now, many Welsh fans are pleased that his future has been cleared up before the World Cup. This is what has been said:
https://twitter.com/MarkTho91202887/status/1148529830046183425?s=20
Best signing/re-signing so far.a total leader on and off the https://t.co/ozZ9F0gV1H sir are what the ospreys are all about #ourbloodisblack
— Mark ?????????????????? (@72mdf) July 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/ospreylian1/status/1148527962288996352?s=20
Brilliant news, in this day and age, loyalty is sometimes hard to find!
— Andy Richards (@AndyR071) July 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/ospreylian1/status/1148530188898263040?s=20
Lions skipper 2021!
— Gareth Price (@gfcPricey) July 9, 2019
Gives him more chance of being fit for Lions tour in SA…. putting ambition over money again! #legend
— NickFielden (@NickFielden) July 9, 2019
Fantastic news and so pleased and relieved that you are staying with the @ospreys Looking forward to seeing you in the lounge next season & good luck in RWC2019 ??
— russ_e ? (@gogosprey) July 9, 2019
Don't think there are any other outstanding candidates for it. He deserves it too.
— Gregg ??????? (@GreggC_CC) July 9, 2019
After his monumental Six Nations campaign, leading Wales to the Grand Slam, Jones was viewed by many as the best player on the planet at the time.
A growing number of people even started calling him Wales’ greatest ever player. His place in the pantheon of Welsh greats is already comfortably secured, but this new deal has only enhanced his reputation.
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Comments on RugbyPass
The Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
2 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
2 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
2 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
2 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
1 Go to commentsSurprised that Ramos isn't starting at 15. But what a squad of galacticos!
2 Go to commentsWhy is it a snub? What journalistic garbage is that? Sure the guy is a great player, but there are plenty of loose forwards and not all of them can be Springboks. Also, I know of no-one who doubts Rassie’s judgment. South Africa has a conveyor belt of loose forwards that just keeps producing, so the competition is intense. I certainly wish him well, but there is no entitlement and there is no snub.
17 Go to commentsSkelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
6 Go to comments