Amos’ appointment with Uruguay is just what doctor ordered
HALLAM AMOS is tired of life in the waiting room.
His s t op- s t art Wales career resumes today against Uruguay at the World Cup. It will be his 21st cap in six years.
‘I’ve just turned 25 and had four shoulder operations, dislocated elbows, ankles, and yet I still have a few caps,’ said Amos. ‘Hopefully, I’ll have a good run now.’
Amos is meant to be the one holding the scalpel, not the patient on the operating table.
After graduating from Cardiff University with a neuroscience degree this summer, he is targeting becoming a surgeon when his rugby career stops.
‘I’m lucky in that I can take a step back away from the rugby and focus on my studies,’ the wing said.
‘I have my bachelor of science degree and three years left of medicine to do.’
‘Six years down, three to go, and that will be my medical degree then done in three years time when I’ll have a decision to make, whether to do what Jamie Roberts has done and carry on with the rugby, or go into being a junior doctor.’
Several shoulder dislocations have seen Amos fall down the pecking order with Wales but he is at a second World Cup now.
Today, he is playing for a chance to force his way into starting contention for the big games and is confident those injury woes are behind him.
His versatility may be key to that ambition. Amos starts on the wing for the first time for Wales in two years — since South Africa in 2017 — having played more at full back recently and could be needed to cover fly-half.
With Dan Biggar out with concussion, Rhys Patchell plays with no established bench back-up.
If Amos does play No10 today, it will be the first time he has since at Monmouth School aged 15.
He has filled in there at training though. ‘I’ve been trying to emulate Bernard Foley for Australia and Ben Volavola for Fiji,’ said Amos. ‘It’s been quite fun.’
‘I’ve enjoyed getting my hands on the ball. It’s gone alright. It comes naturally. Hopefully Patchy is ready to play for a full 80 minutes though.’
Amos has been a frustrated spectator so far in Japan. ‘We play the game to be out there,’ he added.
‘You experience the atmosphere in the warm-up and then you’re sort of the bridesmaid, never the bride, coming off to watch the game.
‘Because the boys have been flying, it’s a great environment to be in and has been for two years now with that great winning run.
‘You want to be on the pitch. It will be exciting to be out there.’
Warren Gatland wants him to take his chance as well. ‘ He’s really matured in terms of his talking, communication and chat,’ said the Wales coach.
‘The message to these players is to put their hand up and stake a claim for the quarter-finals.
‘It’s not just an idle comment. If someone does go out and performs outstandingly we will look at them for the following week.’
Meanwhile, Wales are confident Jonathan Davies will be fit to face France in the quarter-final.
The 31-year-old centre hurt his against Fiji. Defence coach Shaun Edwards said: ‘We don’t feel like it’s as bad as we first feared.’