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The upside to why Jones thinks 'rugby is a s*** sport sometimes'
Harlequins assistant Adam Jones has explained why he thinks rugby is a crap sport at times but even that negative aspect has its upside in providing opportunities to other players. The ex-Wales and Lions prop is scrum coach at the 2021 Gallagher Premiership champions and he accepts that as terrible as injuries are, the positive is that a door can open for someone else to get a chance in the team and thrive.
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This is what has happened at Harlequins regarding their tighthead position. When the Londoners swaggered their way 15 months ago to the second league title of their history, Wilco Louw was the force of nature driving on their scrum. He started 19 matches in that league campaign and so effective was he that the Springboks capped him versus Argentina in August 2021, two years after he has last appeared internationally for his country.
Last season, though, wasn’t what Louw would have hoped for. He started just three games in the league but the injuries he suffered had a silver lining for Harlequins as Will Collier emerged from the South African’s shadow to show his scrum prowess which took him all the way back into the England squad, a level of rugby where he hadn’t been capped since 2017.
Collier ultimately didn’t bridge that five-year international gap but Jones has savoured the overall increased level of competition for the Harlequins tighthead berth, a position where the pendulum has now swung back the way of Louw for this Sunday’s trip to Exeter after Collier was an early casualty in last Saturday’s home loss to Saracens.
“Rugby is a s*** sport sometimes around injuries but it gives people a chance to stake their claim and show what they can do and when they take it it’s good,” said Jones. “To be fair, Wilco started the season we won (the title) and last year he played a few games and had a few injuries. Will came in and took his chance. It was almost to the point where we couldn’t not pick Will because he was so dominant. With every team he was coming up against, we were on top in that area.
“He [Collier] went from three years ago being probably the most penalised to now winning the most penalties. The turnaround has been fantastic for him,” continued Jones about the No3 area of the team that last weekend’s required an early first-half change. “Will hurt his knee. Nothing definite yet. It looked painful. It was frustrating because the first two scrums we had a real crack at them [Saracens] and we got a good penalty off one and why it wasn’t a penalty off the other I don’t know. He has been great, he was very unlucky not to tour in the summer (with England) and I hope it’s not too bad.”
Asked what the rivalry between Louw and Collier is like at Harlequins, Jones quipped with a laugh: “They hate each other. No, they are great to work with and it is good for us the fact that we have got those two there and Simon Kerrod, who has been playing loosehead, can come back across and play tighthead so there is a good stable of props at the moment.
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“We have had a pretty good scrum the last few years so we know it is going to be targeted and teams are going to try and disrupt it, so it is on us to keep on top of it and keep driving standards. The fact we have all these quality props when it comes to training, whoever is in, it is so competitive and that does drive the standards. It’s a good scrum environment, a pleasure to do the work.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
2 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
2 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
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