'International rugby is a lot quicker, but I felt my lungs and legs were there'
Josh Navidi admits that playing a part in Wales’ Guinness Six Nations campaign was beyond his expectations.
But after a year away from the international game, Navidi underlined his continued importance to Wales head coach Wayne Pivac with an outstanding display in an agonising 13-9 defeat against Guinness Six Nations title favourites France.
The Cardiff flanker hit his straps immediately – as Pivac predicted he would – following just one comeback appearance for his club following five months out due to a shoulder injury.
“It was beyond my expectations, really. I didn’t realise I was going to get called into the squad,” Navidi said.
“I was looking for Cardiff first, and I knew being out for that length of time that I needed to just put in the work, make sure my shoulder was right and strong.
“I got a hit-out against Ulster, and then I received a surprise phone call the next day. You grab it with both hands.
“I didn’t realise I was going to play (against France). I thought I was just going to come in to train. It was nice to get back out there.
“International rugby is a lot quicker, but I felt my lungs and legs were there.
“Still maybe, to me personally, I am probably five per cent off, but I always say that my third game is when I come into my stride.
“I am not too sure what team selection will be (against Italy on Saturday), but fingers crossed I will get the nod again.
“I haven’t missed that much rugby for Cardiff – we’ve still got 12 games left – but obviously missing the autumn Tests and start of the Six Nations is always disappointing.
“There is a still a lot of rugby to be played, the shoulder is feeling strong. I’ve had the test and bangs on it now, and it is feeling good.”
Pivac will name his team to face Italy on Tuesday – two days earlier than normal – with changes expected.
Ospreys forwards Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan could be among those included, with a possible recall for Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit and Kieran Hardy starting at scrum-half.
Fly-half Dan Biggar will captain the team and win his 100th cap, but there might also be a place in the match-day 23 for fit-again Alun Wyn Jones.
For the second time in less than a year, 36-year-old lock Jones has defied medical predictions in terms of returning to action.
He did it last summer and captained the British and Irish Lions in their Test series against South Africa after overcoming a shoulder injury in rapid time.
And after suffering another shoulder problem in Wales’ autumn Test against New Zealand four months ago – he required two operations – many forecasts suggested that Jones might struggle to play again this season.
But has been recalled to the squad by Pivac, and if he does feature on Saturday, then his 150th Wales cap awaits.
Wales should have way too much for an Italian side already resigned to the Six Nations wooden spoon, and a bonus-point victory could even mean them finishing third.
Navidi added: “Against England, we left it to the last minute to try and claw it back, and then a narrow defeat at home against France.
“We played a lot better and played a lot of rugby in their half, but credit to France with their defence and (coach) Shaun Edwards, which is hard to break down.
“It’s massive to put an 80-minute performance in on Saturday and get that win.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Instead of apologising, try to act like an adult, fcknut.
1 Go to commentsLooks like the Force twisted his leg…ahem arm
5 Go to commentsScotland should change their name to the Barbarians
2 Go to commentsThe game was already over leave the bloke alone ….from a Welsh fan 😀👍
2 Go to commentsShamefully the Toulouse players acted like footballers, falling down feigning injury at the slightest knock. About time refs penalised this play acting.
7 Go to commentsAnother non Scot for the anti Scot Townsend. Soon there will be no Scottish born and bred players in the National team.
2 Go to commentsGreat comeback to the playing field by Richie Mo’unga after the loss of his father. A great performance by Richie . I know him well and he is a great guy. On and off the field one of the greatest for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson would have loved him in his All Black’s side. A very missed player and person.
2 Go to commentsYeah nah he comes across as a funny bloke, but that stopped abruptly after the Nutcracker Prince debacle✋
2 Go to commentsAt this point I can’t watch him without thinking he’s a dirty slimebag. He should have been banned for the same amount of time that Quinn was out. It took Tupaea near on a fricking year to get fit enough to play again and his leg will never be the same. The other crap thing is that he was at ABs level and now he has to claw his way back there when he could have had several games under his belt.
5 Go to commentsThe Black Ferns 7’s have been without Captain Sarah Hirini now since Dec 23 in Dubai where she suffered a bad ACL injury - hopefully she is on the road to recovery for Madrid and Paris. Now also have Tyler King and Shiray kaka on the Injured List but the Team still found a way to win in Singapore and claim the overall Title.
1 Go to commentsUtter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
5 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
5 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
16 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
16 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
16 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
7 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
7 Go to comments