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'It's definitely a goal of mine to play in that World Cup. I'd love to get back in that squad'
Jamie Roberts believes it is too early for Wales to learn any Rugby World Cup lessons from their clash with Australia in Cardiff on Saturday.
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Wales and the Wallabies have been drawn in the same pool for the tournament in Japan next year, having also faced off in the first round in 2015.
Michael Cheika’s men kick off their tour of the northern hemisphere at the Principality Stadium this weekend but arrive on the back of a poor showing in the Rugby Championship, which they ended with two wins from six matches.
But centre Roberts, who has 94 caps to his name, believes coach Warren Gatland should not read too much into the Australia side that turns up this weekend.
“It’s a long way out. I don’t think you can look at the performances in November and make any indication of how teams will go at the World Cup,” he told Omnisport, speaking on behalf of Land Rover.
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“It always throws up a few surprises. Players get injured, others will come into form, teams will work out how exactly they want to play. There’s a lot of rugby to be played.
“Everything changes and it’s the teams who build a good strength in depth, have a real identity and work hard at what they want to achieve, who do well at World Cups.”
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Wales and Australia will be joined by Georgia, Fiji and Uruguay in Pool C for the tournament, which begins on September 20.
“One thing Australia do well is peak for World Cups. They’re a b***** good side,” added Roberts.
“It’s a hugely competitive group Wales have and there’s no doubt a lot of hard work is going into preparing that Welsh side ready for the World Cup.
“It’s always a fantastic occasion. Having played at the last two World Cups and making a semi-final and quarter-final, Wales have a great opportunity in Japan, there’s no doubt about that.
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“When I look at the Welsh squad and I look at what we’ve built over the last few years, the strength in depth we have in almost every position is encouraging and certainly stands us in good stead.
“But as far as Australia go, they’re a side who on their day can beat any side in the world, they’re hugely competitive and have a knack of peaking at every World Cup.”
Roberts is not part of the Wales squad for the November internationals, which started last weekend with a 21-10 victory over Scotland.
And while he concedes that forcing his way into contention for a World Cup place will be at the back of his mind this season, his primary concern is playing regularly for new club Bath.
“My main focus is to win games with Bath and be diligent as a professional every day, making sure I’m doing everything I can to become a better player,” he said.
“If that’s good enough to win me a starting spot with Bath, help me perform to the best of my abilities, impress and get me selected for Wales, then so be it.
“It’s definitely a long-term goal of mine to play in that World Cup. I’d love to get back in that squad.
“It’s the goal of most Welsh rugby players this season. I’m just one of those players chasing that dream.”
Jamie Roberts was speaking on behalf of Land Rover, the Official Vehicle Partner of Bath Rugby. @LandRoverRugby
Comments on RugbyPass
Ireland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
45 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
45 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
45 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
45 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
45 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
45 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
45 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
45 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
45 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
45 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
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