Jake White's ringing endorsement for Alun Wyn Jones' World Cup title chances
Jake White believes that Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones could be destined to lift the World Cup. South Africa’s 2007 World Cup-winning coach has lavished praise on Jones ahead of Sunday’s semi-final between Wales and the Springboks in Yokohama.
Wales reached the semi-finals for a second time in the last three World Cup tournaments after scraping past France 20-19 last weekend. “There are people who are destined to pick up the World Cup,” White said. “You look at (Richie) McCaw, (Francois) Pienaar and (John) Eales.
“Now you look at Alun Wyn Jones. I really believe he can do it. He is the real deal – a great captain. I don’t think people foresaw what he would do for Welsh rugby when he started.
“He has become one of the great Welsh players of all time with what he has achieved as a British and Irish Lions captain and a Wales captain. I would say it is far beyond what even he could have dreamt of. He is the heartbeat of Wales, and if he is there, then Wales have got a chance.”
Wales were six minutes away from bowing out of the competition against France before a Ross Moriarty try and Dan Biggar conversion saw them home. And Wales’ recent record against South Africa is a strong one, having won five of the last six meetings, including four in a row.
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“South Africa have got a much tougher semi-final now, and I am sure ‘Gats’ (Wales head coach Warren Gatland) will be giving it to Wales this week, telling them they were close to going home and they had better get it right this weekend.
“Wales will also have learnt from the (semi-final) loss to France in 2011. The fact they were so pushed to beat France means they will get a massive amount of confidence from that. Looking at Dan Biggar’s body language when they won, the way he reacted and got the crowd going, that’s why I think Wales can do it. They’ve had South Africa’s number for a while.
“Everyone will have done their homework on who they would have wanted to play in the run-up to the final, and Japan put the spoke into that for a few teams, but Wales would have always known they would get South Africa in the semi-final.
Justin Tipuric shuns the limelight but he has been a beacon of excellence at this @rugbyworldcup. Sunday could be his defining moment for Wales.
– writes @OwainJTJones #RWC2019 #WALvRSA https://t.co/tMKsEy8KyB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 23, 2019
“As a coach, what I would fear as a South Africa coach is that Wales weren’t great last weekend, but they got over the line. That means a lot when you are looking for momentum.
“South Africa have had it easy so far. They will know that. The only time they have been tested, they lost against New Zealand, so it’s difficult to say what they have been like. They have been good enough to win the other games, but the real test comes now.
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“These semi-final weeks are tough. But as a coach it is what you want, you want to give players the chance to produce on the world stage and win something. This is what all the work you’ve put in for the last four years comes down to.
“There is no doubt ‘Gats’ will want to end (his time as Wales head coach) with the ultimate. He has won Grand Slams, Six Nations titles, taken Wales to number one in the world, but this would be the cherry on the cake for him.”
– Press Association
WATCH: Ex-Wales international Jamie Roberts sits down with RugbyPass in this episode of Rugby World Cup Memories
Comments on RugbyPass
Rodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to comments