LIAM TARGETS NEW MEMORIES
LIAM Williams initiated one of the British and Irish Lions’ greatest tries, but the Wales star is now more focused on creating fresh memories by going on the attack against South Africa.
Williams was one of three starters in the team picked for last Saturday’s pre-tour showdown with Japan at Murrayfield who were present for the first Test in New Zealand four years ago.
While the tourists ultimately fell to a 30-15 defeat in Auckland, they also engineered one of the most electric moments in their history as Sean O’brien finished a move that started deep inside their own 22.
Scarlets star Williams recalls it vividly, helped by its ubiquitous presence on social media.
“It keeps popping up on Instagram! So I’m, ‘Oh not again! Oh go on then!’,” said Williams, who has played only twice since the Six Nations because of a foot problem.
“It all happened so quick. Anthony Watson passes me the ball and I see Kieran Read out of the corner of my eye. It’s just instinct, I guess.
“There’s a bit of space, I thought I’m going to need to go. Step in and then a palm on Aaron Cruden. Ben Te’o’s good block on Sonny Bill Williams.
“Then my legs went a little bit and I had to wait for Jonathan Davies to come up and help.
“Then the boys were just great to finish it off. Sean O’brien over the line.
“I have a look at it every now and then but I don’t want to live in the past.
“I’ve been picked by the Lions again, which is an honour and a privilege.”
And, having been given another chance to tour with the elite of British and Irish rugby as he aims to retain the 15 jersey against the Springboks, he is determined to honour his own instincts.
“You have set-piece calls and calls for phase play but at the end of the day you’ve got to play what’s in front of you,” Williams said.
“That for me is probably one of my strengths.
“If it’s on to go, then we are going to have a go.
“We’re looking to spread the ball as well, whether that be through the backs or even through the forwards.”
Williams is part of the Lions’ entertainments committee which is headed by strength and conditioning coach Huw Bennett, the former Wales hooker.
A more pressing concern, however, is learning the moves that will be used across the nine fixtures that comprise the tour to South Africa.
“There’s a whole new playbook. It will take us more than a couple of weeks to get that spot on,” Williams said.
“I have been calling some of the calls we have with Wales, the Scottish boys have been calling some of their calls.
“It’s exciting seeing a whole new playbook in team meetings, but to put that into practice it will take a couple of weeks.
“Every individual is completely different in how they learn.
“I could sit on a laptop for 10 hours a day and it just won’t stick in so I need to be doing it on the training pitch.”
The Wales international did well against Japan, marshalling the backfield with impressive authority, putting in a try-saving tackle on the ultra-dangerous Kotaro Matsushima and showing maturity with the way he galvanised the side from No. 15.
Hendy’s Josh Adams also enjoyed a good first game in Lions colours. There was a well-taken try that showcased his quick feet, a turnover and strong running that took him over the gain-line.
Scarlets skipper Ken Owens took over the reins after Alun Wyn Jones exited and led the side impressively. There were several carries that dented the opposition defence and a number of solid hits, as well as a 100 per cent lineout.
JOE Allen believes Wales’s young guns can use their Euro 2020 heartbreak to bolster their chances of qualifying for a World Cup for the first time since 1958.
Robert Page’s side bowed out of the tournament on Saturday when they were humbled 4-0 by Denmark in Amsterdam.
Kaspel Dolberg netted twice to put Denmark in control before Joakim Maehle and Martin Braithwaite both struck late on to cap off a glorious win for Kasper Hjulmand’s side at Johan Cruyff Arena.
Wales’s misery was compounded when substitute Harry Wilson was shown a straight red card in the 90th minute.
Narberth product Allen endured a difficult tournament, struggling to replicate the impact he made in France five years ago when Wales stormed to the semi-finals.
But the Stoke City midfielder said: “We’re proud we’ve been able to get out of the group stage for the second time.
“The message is clear to the group. We’ve got to think about World Cup qualification now.
“That’s the next step for us to really throw absolutely everything into.
“We’ve got a young group who have a lot more to give and a lot left to show.
“This journey is over but we’re confident that we’ve got a group that can create more history and get some more success stories in the future.”
Wales fans were later given something to smile about when Gareth Bale has promised never to quit Wales as long as he is playing football.
There was speculation in the buildup to the tournament that the 31-year-old Real Madrid forward may be contemplating retirement just four caps short of reaching the century mark.
But he told S4C: “I want to continue to play.
“I will play for Wales until the day that I stop playing football.”