TRY, TRY, TRY, TRY, TRY AGAIN
Adams tops the try-scoring charts and sets his sights on Shane... then Lomu & Habana
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 semifinals. 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. We’ve got belief in each other and we’re all really excited moving forward now.
“We’ve got a really tough 80 minutes on Sunday and hopefully I can get out there and do everybody proud.”
Adams has had a remarkable start to his international career since his February 2018 debut.
He has gone from Test rookie to a key figure in Warren Gatland’s side in the space of 18 months, claiming nine tries in 18 appearances.
Wales have been boosted by the news key backs Dan Biggar, Jonathan Davies and George North are set to be fit to play after recovering from injury.
Adams said: “France are renowned for being able to turn it on, and when they do they’re extremely dangerous.
“They’ve got some quality players. At times in this competition they have looked really, really good.
“They definitely pose a threat to us without a doubt.” France threw away a 16-0 halftime lead to lose to Wales in the Six Nations and have a big concern over scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who is struggling with a back injury.
Les Bleus will not have played for two weeks by the time they face Wales in Oita on Sunday after their last pool clash with England was cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis.
France playmaker Romain Ntamack said: “We had a great first half against Wales in the Six Nations. We put them in trouble. We have to use that as our working base.”