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Wales debutant nicknamed 'Crazy' admits to going overboard in gym session with Alun Wyn Jones
Wales new boy Shane Lewis-Hughes cannot wait to start grappling on the Test stage after pushing world record-breaker Alun Wyn Jones to the limit in training.
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Lewis-Hughes and Jones are at the opposite ends of the international spectrum, with the rookie flanker set to win his first cap in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations finale against Scotland at Llanelli and the Wales captain making a record 149th Test appearance.
But that has not stopped the pair striking up a bond with Cardiff Blues blindside flanker Lewis-Hughes, nicknamed ‘Crazy’ because of his strong work ethic, saying he has relished going “hammer and tongs” with Jones at training.
“It’s been amazing to see how he operates,” said Lewis-Hughes. “In the gym we have been going hammer and tongs at each other.
“We both came out the other day and were exhausted going into a rugby session.
“We said ‘I think we pushed each other a bit too hard there’. But it’s been great just to be around him, see how he operates, his preparation, his focus. It’s inspiring.
“There’s no coincidence he is taking the all-time Test record on Saturday. You can never be the best, or get to the level Alun has got to, without having that incredible mindset.”
Lewis-Hughes’ rugby journey started in his Rhondda home village of Ferndale before he moved to nearby Ystrad.
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He developed in the Rhondda age-grade system under Chris Jones, a renowned hard man of the game in Wales who was twice banned for life during his own playing days, and says the former front-rower gave him the “fire to play rugby”.
Lewis-Hughes subsequently joined the Blues but had made only 36 senior appearances for the region before being promoted into Wayne Pivac’s national squad as training cover.
He benefited from injuries to Ross Moriarty, Josh Macleod and Josh Navidi but has been preferred to Scarlets flanker James Davies as Wales seek to end a run of four successive defeats.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Lewis-Hughes said. “I’ve dreamed of being in this environment since I was a little kid, and I’m just trying to be like a sponge and soak it all up.
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“To get the opportunity now and show what I can do is just surreal.
“Hopefully I can go out there on the weekend and reward the faith the coaches have put in me to play.”
Sam Warburton, the former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain, was among the first to congratulate Lewis-Hughes on social media after his Six Nations selection.
But the 23-year-old is staying grounded, saying: “It’s obviously nice to get comments like that off those people, but it means nothing unless you perform.
“It does mean a lot, but I’ve got a job to do on Saturday to go out there and perform. Unless I do that it means nothing.”
Comments on RugbyPass
You know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to comments