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'He is a physical specimen' - Jenkins excited to see teenager in Test action

By PA
Christ Tshiunza shone for Wales U20s and he's aiming for a squad spot for South Africa (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)

Gethin Jenkins has underlined the sense of excitement surrounding Wales newcomer Christ Tshiunza as he prepares for a potential Test debut on Sunday.

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The 19-year-old Exeter forward is among Wales’ replacements for their Autumn Nations Series clash against Fiji in Cardiff.

Tshiunza was born in DR Congo but moved to Wales in 2010 and is a product of Whitchurch High School in Cardiff, whose past pupils also include Sam Warburton, Gareth Bale and Geraint Thomas.

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At 6ft 6in and 17st 6lbs – and an ability to play in the second row and back row – he is a player that Wales’ coaching staff are rightly enthused by.

“We can see something in him,” Wales defence coach Jenkins said.

“He is a physical specimen, chucks himself about and is a good line-out jumper, so hopefully he can realise some of his potential.

“It is good for him to be involved, and hopefully he wins his first cap.

“It has been a big journey for him, moving down to Exeter, and now this has come so quickly. We see a lot of potential in him, and we look forward to seeing him on the weekend.”

Wales’ autumn campaign has so far seen them well beaten by New Zealand before they were edged out 23-18 against world champions South Africa.

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And while Wales will start as favourites to topple Fiji – their opening 2023 World Cup pool opponents – another stern test can be expected.

Wales Tshiunza Exeter
(Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Jenkins added: “I don’t think Fiji are going to change much in the way they are going to play. They are very dangerous individually, and they always have that flair in the team.

“They haven’t changed for a while, but they are a quality team with threats from anywhere.

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“You can get a break from anywhere with their offloads. They are so skilful in that part of the game, and that’s why they are such a good sevens team as well.

“It is hard to predict, and the only thing you can do is make sure your system is as well-organised as possible.

“We have got a pretty strong team out in terms of what we can select.

“They are probably missing a few too, so they will probably be stronger at the World Cup. But it would be good to go out this weekend and lay down a marker for two years’ time.”

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Adrian 30 minutes ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

6 Go to comments
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Trevor 3 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
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Bull Shark 7 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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