'I can't say I am an established member of the Wales team yet'
Josh Adams has taken Test rugby by storm in the last 12 months – but he says there are “loads of places” for improvement.
The Cardiff Blues wing will be a key part of Wales’ bid for a 15th successive victory when they tackle World Cup warm-up opponents England at Twickenham on Sunday.
It is just 168 days since Adams scored a stunning match-clinching try that downed Eddie Jones’ team in Cardiff, soaring above England full-back Elliot Daly to catch Dan Biggar’s kick and swivelling in mid-air before touching down.
He followed it up by dazzling Scotland’s defence and claiming another memorable try a fortnight later as Wales marched towards a Six Nations title and Grand Slam glory.
Such has been 24-year-old Adams’ impact since making his international debut in February last year that he is now arguably among the first names on head coach Warren Gatland’s team sheet.
But he said: “I can’t say I am an established member of the Wales team yet.
“I feel a lot more relaxed in the environment and I feel a lot more comfortable with the training. I am definitely up to speed with all of that.
“But the minute you think you are established and you put your feet under the table, that is the time you can fall off.
“Being relatively new to the squad, I know I’ve got to keep on improving and getting better. There are loads of places I can improve, and I am determined to be here for a while.
“Everyone in the (Wales squad) back three has trained exceptionally well.
“Leigh Halfpenny has come back to fitness and is an outstanding player with loads of experience. Then you’ve got Owen Lane, who has shown what he’s got to offer, Steff Evans as well. I could go on through all of them.
“We are pushing each other. It is friendly rivalry, and it is all about what is best for the team.”
Adams’ only previous Twickenham trip with Wales ended in a 12-6 defeat. It was his second international appearance, and this weekend he will oppose an England new kid on the block in the sizeable shape of Bath’s Joe Cokanasiga.
Even though the bigger picture is Wales’ World Cup campaign, which starts against Georgia on September 23, victory against England would be another notable stepping stone on route to Japan.
England, Ireland, Australia, South Africa and France are among those to have fallen during Wales’ long unbeaten sequence, and it is approaching 18 months since they lost a Test match.
“We don’t want to lose a 14-match winning streak,” Adams added.
“He (Gatland) could have made some changes and tried some different combinations, but he has shown faith in the Six Nations group and given us the chance to go out and make it 15.”
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.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 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
1 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