'That opportunity isn't going to be wasted': Time for players to step up after Lions tour uncertainty, says Alun Wyn Jones
Alun Wyn Jones insists it is time for the players to take centre stage when months of uncertainty over the British and Irish Lions tour end with Saturday’s opener against Japan in Edinburgh.
Jones leads the Lions into a rare home fixture, a maiden appearance against the enterprising Brave Blossoms and also their first outing at Murrayfield.
Twenty-four hours later they will depart for South Africa, where the tour will take place in defiance of a rising number of coronavirus cases that have forced the host nation into partial lockdown.
Alternatives such as relocation to these shores or Australia were considered as the expedition to the home of the world champions was placed into doubt by the pandemic, but with the visit of Japan it will finally have lift off.
“It has been a long time. Everyone was looking on before at the selection with regards to will it, won’t it,” said Jones, who will be embarking on his fourth tour.
“It went on for so long to now being 24 hours from the first game. There has been a tremendous amount of work and effort to get it going and now it’s down to the players to get going as well.
“The challenge is to come together to create what is going to be a winning series with the Test side.
“You look at the Lions and that’s what it’s all about, it’s what you want to be part of and I’m sure I’m not the only guy in the squad who’s chomping at the bit to get on with it.”
The squad left their Jersey training base on Thursday to travel to Edinburgh, where they will spend three nights before heading south of the equator for their eight-fixture itinerary that culminates in a Test series against the Springboks.
At each stage the Covid restrictions placed on them will be tighter and will be at their most severe in South Africa, but rather than seeing the limitations placed on their freedoms as a hindrance, Jones believes they will instead galvanise the Lions.
“I’ve been on these tours, but it’s the first one in a global pandemic with all the challenges off the field,” Jones said.
“In many ways we’re going to have a constant challenge off the field and when we go on to the pitch that’s the opportunity to express ourselves.
“That opportunity isn’t going to be wasted. There is a definite recognition for how fortunate and privileged we are to be here.
“There are a lot of people who have said the tour probably shouldn’t have gone ahead, but we’re very fortunate and that resonates with the squad.
“In many ways, because the bubble is as it is, it has let us develop a siege mentality from the start. Not against any rugby teams, but against the threats to the tour as a whole.
“The fact that we’re spending more time together, there may be a bit of cabin fever at some point, but hopefully the most positive side effect will be on performance and we’re all relishing that.”
Japan will be playing their first international since the 2019 World Cup quarter-finals and, even if a little rusty, they are expected to threaten the Lions defence with their swashbuckling play in front a 16,500 crowd at Murrayfield.
“Momentum has always been important. I’ve been to enough Six Nations launches to know that’s the buzzword always used,” Jones said.
“Irrespective of who takes the field in those first three games, you want to get off to a good start and build momentum.”
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
77 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments