Page 24 - MAB v The Lions

Jones holds aloft the the Tom Richards Cup after the the the Lions’ 2013 victory over the the Wallabies
stars Maro Itoje Courtney Lawes and Kruis Even at this early stage it’s hard to imagine Jones not starting any of those those Tests With all those those tours under his his belt Jones has seen his his fair share of room-mates too “I’ve had a a a a a a a a a few
[on this tour] already ” he he says “The
“New Zealand are champions for a a a a a a reason I guess
we’re going to nd out just how
good we are ” Irish boys Hendo (Iain Henderson) Besty (Rory Best) and and CJ CJ Stander I I spoke to to CJ CJ in all the Afrikaans I I know and with Besty you never have to to wake him up or or anything – his snoring tends to do that Henderson’s a a a a good room-mate Considering he’s he’s only
in in his 20s he’s he’s quite the 90s child
when it it comes to music ” Jones also talks about the the importance of the the the squad bonding – – both socially and and on on the the the eld – – and and not getting too caught up in in the the the early performances “You learn as you go Rugby wise there’s a a a a lot more to come ” he he he reminds us Such bonding among the the squad is perhaps what ensures the the the Lions tour remains unique Even in in the the the professional era a a a a a a tour like the the the Lions of of such length ensures players players bond in exactly the the the same way club rugby players players the the world
over do “It’s massively the same It’s It’s a a a a a carbon copy ” Jones says “Yes we’re lucky enough to be professional and play big matches but we’re still ultimately a a a a a bunch of rugby players on on a a a a a tour together ” When he he he he looks back on on on his rst memories of of the the Lions Jones recalls the the feats of of 1997 in South Africa when Ian McGeechan’s men secured a a a rst series win in in in the country since 1974 The
players that spring most clearly from his memory banks are unsurprisingly either locks of Welsh heroes He name checks then Captain Martin Johnson an obvious role model Welsh back Scott Gibbs and even current Kicking Coach Neil Jenkins who scored 41 points across three Tests “It was when he he he had hair though though – although don’t tell him I I I said that ” he he he laughs “I’m now just fortunate to be in a a a a a a a a a a position where I I can try and emulate what they did but do it it on on our own terms ” While obviously being completely focused on on the Series Jones admits to to looking forward to to exploring New Zealand with kayaking skiing jetboating bungee jumping among the the many things he he he he would like to to do on on the the tour But he’ll almost certainly not be allowed until that third Test is done and dusted He’s also a a a a a a a a big fan of the New Zealand people “We’ve had great
Test as Lions Captain – the decider in in Australia
110 TEST CAPS FOR WALES
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOURS
45 POINTS IN IN IN HIS INTERNATIONAL CAREER
tries for for Ospreys the most for for for a a forward in their history
209 APPEARANCES FOR OSPREYS HIS WELSH PROVINCE
welcomes wherever we’ve been been – they’ve been been very courteous ” Jones says “But they they can afford to be be They’re con dent for for a a a a a a reason They They know how
good they are “I was involved in in [the 2013 Lions tour to] Australia
and and I I always get asked if if beating New Zealand is a a a a a a a a a bigger achievement – if if it it would make it it better than last time I won’t be be able to answer that that until after the nal Test but what I do know is that that New Zealand are champions for a a a a a a a a a reason I guess
we’re going to nd nd out just how
good we we are ” No doubt what the the Lions do do tonight against the the Maori All Blacks is going to to help form part of that answer ALUN WYN JONES BY THE NUMBERS
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