Josh Adams' heartfelt message for Wales fans over losing run
Josh Adams says he can understand supporters’ sense of frustration after Wales slumped to a fifth successive defeat this year.
Wales will head into the Autumn Nations Cup and a tough opener against Ireland on November 13, having gone nine months without victory.
Wing Adams scored three tries the last time it happened – a 42-0 demolition of Italy on February 1 – but there has been precious little to cheer since then.
A 14-10 Six Nations loss to Scotland behind closed doors in Llanelli was Wales’ first at home in the fixture since 2002, and it followed reversals against France (twice), Ireland and England.
“I was a supporter once, and I know exactly how they feel,” Adams said.
“It is difficult because we never want to lose, especially at home. I can only reiterate myself and say ‘stick with us’.
“We put our bodies on the line because we are all proud Welshmen. I’ve no doubt we will continue to work hard, pull together, no matter the results.
“It’s about how you react when your backs are against the wall. A few things, and results have gone against us.
“Now, we’ve got two weeks to get ready for Ireland, and we will make sure we put ourselves in the best possible place for the Aviva Stadium in a fortnight. It’s the beginning of a new competition for everyone.
“Every player in a stage of their career will have a patch where they don’t pick up a few wins. It’s how we come together as a team, which we are working extremely hard in the week on to do that.
“The (Scotland) result isn’t what we wanted, but that doesn’t mean we will dwell on it. It’s a line in the sand now.”
Almost 1 year after England's World Cup final loss to South Africa. They are crowned Six Nations Champions! ?
Does it help with the pain or is it still very raw? pic.twitter.com/bl0JmNJKiX
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 1, 2020
Wales haven’t lost five games on the bounce since 2016, and life is not about to get any easier, with Ireland and newly crowned Six Nations champions England among their next three opponents.
Adams added: “It is important we come together as best we can, and I have no doubt we will.
“Don’t get me wrong, our performances need to improve and we need to get results, but our work in the week will reflect how that happens on a Saturday.
“We will work extremely hard in the next couple of weeks, I have no doubt about that.”
Head coach Wayne Pivac has experienced a difficult start to his reign since succeeding Warren Gatland, with just two wins in seven games.
And Adams said: “We have created that pressure on ourselves from the results we’ve had recently.
“Everyone expects us to win, and that’s great because we want to win every single game.
“That is going to be the key focus for us moving forward – to do everything in our control as best we can so we come out the right side of the result.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Brayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf 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.
27 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to comments