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Footage emerges of infamous punch-up between Alun Wyn Jones and Jake Ball
By Ian Cameron
Footage has emerged of the now infamous training ground punch-up between Welsh skipper Alun Wyn Jones and fellow second row Jake Ball during the Guinness Six Nations.
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Back in February, Jones sported a black eye in the lead-up to the game with Ireland, a sight that the talk of rugby media and fans alike, leaving many wondering as to the exact nature of the incident.
Now grainy footage of the incident has emerged online, showing a flurry of heavy-handed punches from both players being thrown.
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Jones can be seen grabbing Ball by the collar and after words are exchanged Ball appears to throw a half-hearted right hand. While Jones appears to throw the best initial blows, Ball lands the more significant shots as the scrap comes to an end.
Andy Goode posted a video on his Twitter, writing: “Footage from the training ground ding dong between Alun-Wyn Jones and Jake Ball has emerged from the archives! Couple of big lads throwing handbags!”
Footage from the training ground ding dong between Alun-Wyn Jones and Jake Ball has emerged from the archives! Couple of big lads throwing handbags!! #neverpunchtheskipper pic.twitter.com/JiJUnO1NtR
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) June 4, 2021
While training ground scraps are hardly uncommon in the sport, the sight of such a high-profile player with a shiner in the lead-up to a big game had tongue wagging. In an interview with TheXV.rugby Ball explained that it was actually a case of mistaken identity.
“It’s one of those things, isn’t it? The biggest irony was that it was a case of mistaken identity at training.
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“Al thought it was me who had pulled down a maul down, when it was actually Rhys Carré who instigated the whole situation but he melted into the background.
“He threw a couple of punches and I threw a couple back. Luckily for me, a few more of mine landed. That’s rugby. Me and Al spoke about it and we’ve moved on.”
After it was downplayed to the media, the ferocity of the incident might well surprise viewers.
