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Jake White's ringing endorsement for Alun Wyn Jones' World Cup title chances

24 Oct 2019

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Jake White believes that Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones could be destined to lift the World Cup. South Africa’s 2007 World Cup-winning coach has lavished praise on Jones ahead of Sunday’s semi-final between Wales and the Springboks in Yokohama.

Wales reached the semi-finals for a second time in the last three World Cup tournaments after scraping past France 20-19 last weekend. “There are people who are destined to pick up the World Cup,” White said. “You look at (Richie) McCaw, (Francois) Pienaar and (John) Eales.

“Now you look at Alun Wyn Jones. I really believe he can do it. He is the real deal – a great captain. I don’t think people foresaw what he would do for Welsh rugby when he started.

“He has become one of the great Welsh players of all time with what he has achieved as a British and Irish Lions captain and a Wales captain. I would say it is far beyond what even he could have dreamt of. He is the heartbeat of Wales, and if he is there, then Wales have got a chance.”

Wales were six minutes away from bowing out of the competition against France before a Ross Moriarty try and Dan Biggar conversion saw them home. And Wales’ recent record against South Africa is a strong one, having won five of the last six meetings, including four in a row.

(Continue reading below…)

“South Africa have got a much tougher semi-final now, and I am sure ‘Gats’ (Wales head coach Warren Gatland) will be giving it to Wales this week, telling them they were close to going home and they had better get it right this weekend.

“Wales will also have learnt from the (semi-final) loss to France in 2011. The fact they were so pushed to beat France means they will get a massive amount of confidence from that. Looking at Dan Biggar’s body language when they won, the way he reacted and got the crowd going, that’s why I think Wales can do it. They’ve had South Africa’s number for a while.

“Everyone will have done their homework on who they would have wanted to play in the run-up to the final, and Japan put the spoke into that for a few teams, but Wales would have always known they would get South Africa in the semi-final.

Justin Tipuric shuns the limelight but he has been a beacon of excellence at this @rugbyworldcup. Sunday could be his defining moment for Wales.
– writes @OwainJTJones #RWC2019 #WALvRSA https://t.co/tMKsEy8KyB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 23, 2019

“As a coach, what I would fear as a South Africa coach is that Wales weren’t great last weekend, but they got over the line. That means a lot when you are looking for momentum.

“South Africa have had it easy so far. They will know that. The only time they have been tested, they lost against New Zealand, so it’s difficult to say what they have been like. They have been good enough to win the other games, but the real test comes now.

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“These semi-final weeks are tough. But as a coach it is what you want, you want to give players the chance to produce on the world stage and win something. This is what all the work you’ve put in for the last four years comes down to.

“There is no doubt ‘Gats’ will want to end (his time as Wales head coach) with the ultimate. He has won Grand Slams, Six Nations titles, taken Wales to number one in the world, but this would be the cherry on the cake for him.”

– Press Association

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 5 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 5 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 5 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 5 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍