SA pundit in extraordinary attack on Lions skipper Jones

ALUN Wyn Jones has come under extraordinary attack in South Africa after being named as Lions captain.

The Wales skipper (right) has been dismissed as and “overhyped plodder” who is not in the top 10 locks in the world and wouldn’t get near the Springboks squad.

The criticism came from South African journalist Mark Keohane in a written article on Independent Online and an appearance on The War Room debate show on SA Rugby magazine.

Fellow presenter Zelim Nel, from SA Rugby Magazine, also dismissed the Lions’ chances in South Africa, predicting a comfortable 3-0 series win for the hosts.

The South Africans were unimpressed with the 37-man squad announced by Warren Gatland on Thursday, with former Springboks communications manager Keohane ripping apart the selection.

Referring to Jones’ admittedly strange appearance during the announcement as a hologram, Keohane wrote: “It was funny, but not as funny as Gatland’s Lions squad, which many critics felt was a joke.

“If the virtual Jones, the hologram, is something from the future, then Jones, the real thing, is something from a playing past that is far more glorious than the plodder who will lead the Lions into battle against the world champion Springboks.

“Jones, his 159 games making him the game’s most capped international, should be on pension. His Six Nations performances are overhyped. He was picked on past glories and because of familiarity, having played a decade of Test rugby for Wales under Gatland.”

He added: “Respect for what he’s done but he is not in the top 10 locks in the world at the moment and he wouldn’t get in the Springboks squad.

“Ireland’s James Ryan and Scotland’s Jonny Gray are two locks younger and more destructive than Jones was in his prime. How Mr Gats?”

During the show, Wales’ recent Six Nations title win was described as “delusional” after opponents’ red cards, while Dan Biggar and the Scottish players picked were also targeted by Keohane, who said: “You pick a Lions squad with eight Scots in and you already know it’s a disaster.

“If they’re going with Dan Biggar as the answer at 10? Wow, then they are in trouble.

“Gatland has picked hobbits to be giant slayers and he has far too many Neville Nobodies in his squad of 37.”

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