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Josh Adams' heartfelt message for Wales fans over losing run

By PA
Josh Adams (left) and Owen Watkin react following Wales' defeat last Sunday (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Josh Adams says he can understand supporters’ sense of frustration after Wales slumped to a fifth successive defeat this year.

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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.

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“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.”

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.

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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.

Pivac Moyes

“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.”

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Bull Shark 44 minutes 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.

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