ELLIS IS CAPTAIN OF FUTURE – SAM
SAM Warburton believes Ellis Jenkins has installed himself as a leading candidate to be Alun Wyn Jones’ long-term successor as Wales captain.
Cardiff flanker Jenkins produced an outstanding performance in the 23-18 defeat against South Africa on his first international appearance in three years, having fought his way back from a horrendous knee injury which kept him out of the game for 26 months.
The 28-year-old’s all-round display saw him chosen as the home side’s man of the match by most pundits.
He also took over as skipper when Jonathan Davies left the field in the second half, as Wales went so close to beating the world champion Springboks before ultimately going down 23-18.
Taking over at the helm, Jenkins showed his leadership and his ability to communicate with the officials.
Former Wales and Lions captain Warburton was hugely impressed with the 12-cap Jenkins and feels he has to be in the mix as a future leader.
“When Wales beat South Africa out in Washington in the summer of 2018, Ellis was captain for that game,” he said, speaking on Amazon Prime Video.
“It was a really good experience for him to captain the side then and he probably would have captained Wales more often (had it not been for his injury), but they have just had an abundance of riches at No. 7.
“But that performance today, if he can back that up again, then it’s certainly going to put him in the driving seat potentially amid two or three guys who could take over that captaincy once Alun Wyn Jones goes.”
Coach Pivac was delighted with Jenkins’ return, saying: Pivac said: “I am very, very pleased for Ellis. It was a big moment for him. He didn’t do a lot of training the week before (due to a rib injury) – certainly no contact – and to come out against a physical side, I was really pleased with him.
“He showed great timing and great skill over the ball, and he is going to get better and better for that performance.
“He is an important player, and with Alun injured, you need others to lead in the forwards.
“Justin Tipuric and Ken Owens would normally be there, but with those away, Ellis not only played well, but had a leadership role.”
Wales’ first home defeat against South Africa since 2013 will be tough for Pivac to digest after his team led through six Dan Biggar penalties with only seven minutes left.
But Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx powered over for a try, and Elton Jantjies booted a penalty with the game’s final kick to inflict a second successive Autumn Nations Series loss on Wales ahead of hosting Fiji next Sunday.
“We could have won that match – it came down to a couple of moments,” Pivac added.
“We gave away a silly penalty before half-time, and then another to set up their try.
“Outside of that, we’ve a bit of work to do at the scrum, but we matched them across the park and led for periods. We could have won it at the end.
“It was a big step in the right direction, playing the world champions at their own game.
“I thought it was a big pat on the back for their effort.”