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Wales need to 'cut ties' with Gatland era - captain Alun Wyn Jones
By Online Editors
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has warned it will be a bumpy road for the Guinness Six Nations champions following Warren Gatland’s departure.
New head coach Wayne Pivac takes up the reins for last year’s Grand Slam winners after Gatland ended his 12-year tenure following Wales’ World Cup semi-final defeat against South Africa.
“It is going to be a bumpy road and we cannot shy away from that,” said Jones, 34.
“There has been a lot of change and, to a point, we have to cut ties with that.
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“But if you continue to look over your shoulder, you will slow yourself down. If we are going to evolve, there are few more things to adapt to, and that is what you want to do.
“I was asked earlier about desire, and why you keep going, and I just remember why I started. I want to play rugby and I want to be involved with Wales.
“It is Wayne’s world now and I am looking forward to what is to come.”
Pivac confirmed that 18-year-old Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit is set to be available for Wales’ opening match against Italy.
The teenager went off injured during his side’s Champions Cup defeat against Toulouse on Sunday.
But Liam Williams, who has not played since he injured his ankle at the World Cup, is not due to return until Wales’ second fixture with Ireland.
“Louis has worked well with the medical team and he will be back training this morning, doing some running with the boys,” said Pivac.
“He will go back to his club this weekend and we will get him back next week.
“Liam is on for round two of the competition. He won’t make the Italian match, but is on track for Ireland.”
PA
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Latest Comments
There is this thing going around against Siya Kolisi where they don't want him to be known as the best national captain ever, so they strike him down in ratings permanently whenever they can. They want McCaw and reckons he is the best captain ever. I disagree.
Just like they refuse to see SA as the best team and some have even said that should the Boks win a third WC in a row, they will still not be the best team ever. Even if they win every game between now and the WC. That is some serious hate coming SA's way.
Everyone forget how the McCaw AB's intimidated refs, was always on the wrong side, played on the ground etc. Things they would never have gotten away with today. They may have a better win ratio, but SA build depth, not caring about rank inbetween WC's until this year.
They weren't as bad inbetween as people claim, because non e of their losses was big ones and they almost never faced the strongest Bok team outside of the WC, allowing countries like France and Ireland to rise to the top unopposed.
Rassie is still at it, building more depth, getting more young stars into the fold. By the time he leaves (I hope never) he will leave a very strong Bok side for the next 15- 20 years. Not everyone will play for 20 years, but each year Rassie acknowledge the young stars and get them involved and ready for international rugby.
Not everyone will make it to the WC, but those 51/52 players will compete for those spots for the WC. They will deliver their best. The future of the Boks is in very safe hands. The only thing that bothers me is Rassie's health. If he can overcome it, rugby looks dark for the rest of the rugby world. He is already the greatest coach in WR history. By the time he retires, he will be the biggest legend any sport has ever seen
Go to commentsWas it? I just brought it up in some of my posts to rub it in that the AB last year nearly put 100 on a top 6N side lol
I agree to be honest. The biggest key to me that they might be jadded was none of them had mom performances, or even as good as their last three games.
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