Don’t write off the Wallabies, warns Wales prop star Jones
ADAM Jones has warned against people writing off Australia, insisting Wales are not playing ‘Abercwmcabbage 3rds’.
The Wallabies have lost their opening two Tests on tour, against Scotland and England, while they are also without star men Michael Hooper, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete and Quade Cooper for Saturday’s showdown at the Principality Stadium.
Former England scrum-half Matt Dawson has made his feelings clear on them.
Speaking on 5 Live Rugby, he said: “Australia are not a good side.
“They are so far away from what we saw in the Rugby Championship.
“Let’s be honest, this has to be an opportunity for Wales to win this.”
But appearing on the same programme, legendary Lions prop Jones struck a note of caution.
“I think everyone is doing Australia a bit of a bad rap here,” said the 95-cap tighthead.
“People are speaking as though Wales are playing against Abercwmcabbage 3rds.
“If you look at Australia’s team, you have got Rory Arnold, with Will Skelton coming off the bench.
“I thought the winger Andrew Kellaway was brilliant in the Rugby Championship and you’ve got Taniela Tupou coming back in.
“Him and Allan Alaalatoa didn’t play against England and they are two very good tightheads. Tupou is a massive player for them.
“There are a hell of a lot of good players in this team. There is a lot of talent there.
“They are probably not as good as they were in the Rugby Championship, but they generally come to Cardiff and cause us a few problems.
“I never played against too many bad Australian sides.
“So I don’t think it’s going to be easy for Wales.
“They are not playing particularly well at the moment.
“They have got a massive casualty list and it’s testing the depth.
“Obviously Wales will want to win and 74,000 people in Cardiff will want to see them do it as well. It’s always a scalp to get Australia.”
Looking at the team Wayne Pivac has picked, Jones said: “It’s an interesting selection with Willis Halaholo and Nick Tompkins in the centre.
“When you look at the talent in the Welsh back-line, if we can get decent quick, fast ball and get over the gainline, then we can cause them a few problems.
“But it’s easier said than done against Australia. They are pretty canny, pretty adept at slowing you down and making you run into brick walls.”
Jones says one positive to come out of all the injuries Wales have faced during the autumn has been the opportunity it has presented to some new players.
“It’s a great chance for boys to get experience and exposure to it,” he said.
“How many people outside of Wales, maybe outside Newport, would have known who Taine Basham was before this campaign?
“And he’s turned out to be a rock star. He’s just another outstanding 7 off the Welsh production line.
“Then you’ve got Ellis Jenkins coming back in, which is a great story, and he’s captain now.
“In the Six Nations, you are going to have Tipuric and Navidi back. There is so much depth at the moment.”