Jones... why I had no hesitation in answering the call from Wales
STEPHEN Jones should have been on the school run back home with his three children yesterday, instead he was sitting in front of journalists at Wales’ team hotel in Tokyo.
It’s been a hectic week for the former fly-half after he was called up to the Wales management team following the removal of attack coach Rob Howley.
Howley was relieved of his duties after finding himself at the centre of an investigation into a potential breach of World Rugby’s betting rules.
Wales needed a replacement and Jones, who was Warren Gatland’s first choice, was approved by the senior player group. He joined up with the team in Toyota City last Thursday.
Whirlwind? “You have pretty much hit the nail on the head there,” he replies.
“It’s been manic, if I am honest, but what a wonderful welcome I have had from the boys and the management.
“I have worked with a number of the players and management before. The senior players were excellent – they took the helm and took the lead - which was great.”
Jones was due to take over from Howley following the conclusion of this current Rugby World Cup campaign as part of incoming Wales boss Wayne Pivac’s staff.
Pivac had planned to travel to Japan to observe the current group whilst out here, though Jones insists it was never in his plans to follow suit.
But when the call came as he was sitting at home in Cardiff, it didn’t take long to say yes.
“When I got the call, it was a straightaway decision,” he said. “I’m very fortunate that I have a supportive wife as well! It was an instant decision.”
One of the questions surrounding Jones’ arrival was just home much influence he would have over Wales’ attack. With so little time between matches, it would be too difficult to simply rip up the foundations laid by Howley over the last few months.
It is not thought he had a heavy influence on the tactics for the opening match against Georgia, but he has been given licence to make little tweaks where he sees fit.
“Obviously, there is a wonderful foundation in place. There are a lot of good things in the library already,” said Jones, who hasn’t spoken to Howley since the transition.
“Gats has been excellent and said I can evolve things slowly, but obviously I am conscious there is going to be limited grass time, but where I am fortunate is that there are so many good things in place.”
When asked if he would look to implement the gameplan that is planned under Pivac, he responded: “No, definitely not. We have caught up as a management group, Wayne, myself, Byron and Jonathan.
“We have had discussions about certain things, but what’s been fascinating, wonderful and hugely beneficial for me is that I’ve been in this environment and learnt so much, so it will make the transition a lot easier.”
Wales were razor sharp in the first half of the 43-14 victory over Georgia, wrapping up a bonus point before half time.
Jones was pleased with the display but insisted there are improvements to be made.
“I was happy. I thought some of the running lines were good, our ball movement was decent. But I would say the good thing for us is there is plenty to work on, which is the exciting part.”
He added: “You have to have a balance in your game, haven’t you? It’s about playing smart, recognising how the opposition set themselves up.
“From an attacking perspective, you have to have the ability to shape the opposition’s defence.
“You don’t want to waste your energy in certain areas of the park. When you get in the right areas you need to convert your chances and be potent.”