Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TRY, TRY & TRY AGAIN FOR JOSH
8 TRIES Jonah Lomu, 1999 8 TRIES Bryan Habana, 2007 8 TRIES Julian Savea, 2015 5 TRIES Kotaro Matsushima, Japan
JOSH ADAMS has set his sights on World Cup glory and joining wing wonders Shane Williams, Jonah Lomu and Bryan Habana as tournament legends.
The Wales starlet, 24, has had a flying start in Japan with five tries in four games ahead of Sunday’s quarter-final clash with France.
It has put Adams joint level at the top of the World Cup’s try-scoring list with Japan’s Kotaro Matsushima.
The joint all-time World Cup record is eight which belongs to Lomu, Habana and Julian Savea. Wales’ tournament record is Shane Williams’ six in France in 2007.
Adams said: “It wouldn’t be bad to join that list, would it? There are some legends there.
“It’s always nice to get a try. I’m obviously happy to get another one.
“It’s five now and I was told Shane is the record holder for Wales at a World Cup with six. Fingers crossed with three more games to go I can pip him. We’ll wait and see.”
After wins over Georgia, Australia, Fiji and Uruguay, Wales face the French for a place in the World Cup semi-finals. They have beaten Les Bleus in seven of their last eight matches.
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has told his team-mates they are 240 minutes from sealing a place in the history books for which they will be remembered forever.
Adams said: “When you say it like that it does put it into perspective a little bit, doesn’t it? It’s extremely exciting.
“You could argue it’s the biggest week of my career so far with playing in a World Cup quarter-final. I’d never have said I would be standing here telling you that 18 months ago. There is no reason why this group of players can’t achieve something special.”