‘A stupid question gets a stupid answer’–AlunWyn Jones at his belligerent best in press call

AN interview with Alun Wyn Jones is always memorable – and rarely dull. MARK ORDERS donned his flak jacket as part of a small group who sat down to chat to the Ospreys’ captain at the region’s Llandarcy training base ahead of Friday night’s massive Guinness Pro12 derby with Cardiff Blues at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium... Q: It’s that rare occurrence this week of a couple of derby games, with all the internationals like yourself able to play. Does that give the match with the Blues a different feel? AWJ: I don’t know from that point of view. That’s the view of people outside the teams. All I know it’s another derby match. We’re coming off the back of two losses and it’s a big stick and carrot for us, not just the game itself, but also to get back to winning ways. Q: Both teams were going great guns, but lost last time out. It puts an extra edge on this weekend, doesn’t it? AWJ: In your line of work you are looking for an edge where you can find it!

We were disappointed with the first half of the Ulster game. Considering what we put into the Ulster game, with and without the ball, we felt dissatisfied even with a point. Q: What do you make of Blues’ start to the season? A: They’ve probably come through on the promise they showed with Danny Wilson (coach) last year. Their win over Munster has probably spurred them on and given them a lot of confidence.

A lot of their older players are putting in big shifts. Melon (Gethin Jenkins) is there, Matthew Rees. And acquisitions like Nick Williams and young guys such as Dan Fish are putting in big performances. So they have a good mix and a blend and it’s working well. Q: You’ve been trying to play expansively and have scored a few tries this season. But might you try to grind it out a bit more? A: To a point, yes, but you don’t want to sacrifice any of the intent that we have shown. You’d love to win every game scoring tries and with a bonus point, but it’s a double-edged sword in that you don’t want to sacrifice the win, either. It’s about the win, first and foremost. Q: Over your time, you’ve been absolutely dominant over them? A: Is my time over? Have you been speaking to Steve (Tandy) or something? Are you telling me something I don’t know?! Q: It’s just that you are used to going into this game as overwhelming favourites and are used to coming away with a win. A: That’s your perception. It’s the first hurdle you have to overcome (as players), when you start believing you are better than you are or you’ve done something in the past which is going to carry on. Let’s not forget – yes, Cardiff Blues have lost one match recently, but we’ve lost two. Q: You’ve had your 200th regional game. How are you feeling, not just with the Ospreys and Europe, but with Wales and November in mind? A: It’s a way off. It’s a few weeks and there are a few games to go before then. I’m not answering the question, in the pure belief that I have a couple of games here to (perform in and) leave in a good place if I am selected and hopefully come back to an even better place. Q: You’re not going to answer any questions about the Lions, then? A: You’re not going to ask them, are you?! You know well enough not to ask silly questions like that. Q: You are now 31. Is your motivation and appetite for rugby still as sharp as ever? A: A stupid question gets a stupid answer. Of course it is. I don’t see why it would change. Have you spoken to Steve as well?! My career’s over! Q: That wasn’t exactly the question. A: Come on, now. Q: Tell us what you have made of Justin Tipuric’s performances this season. A: What do you mean this season? He’s just been playing the way Justin plays. I’m fortunate enough to play alongside him week-in, week-out.

We play some games that we may not win, but he’s still pulling out top performances for the side. You know he’s going to be top of the stats. I know stats don’t win you games, but he’s a big part of our team and a big part of our game. Q: Can you give us a few favourite memories of games against the Blues? A: Winning. Maybe the one on one with ‘Pens’ (Leigh Halfpenny) when I stepped him and scored. I can’t really remember much because they all blend in to one.

I did enjoy the ones from my younger days, playing with the likes of Filo Tiatia and the original crew. Those were special times, playing with those guys. Q: You are one of the guys who has a National Dual Contract with the WRU. Those things have bedded in over the past couple of years. What are the advantages and disadvantages of that system? A: There’s advantages and disadvantages for players and supporters alike.

Players want to play a lot of rugby. We’re walking contradictions at times in that we want to play a lot of rugby, but we don’t want to play too much rugby and we want to be available for all the big games, yet there are times when you have to sacrifice that because of game limits.

From a supporter’s point of view, if you are paying money for a season ticket you want to see all the best players, or perceived best players, playing all the rugby all the time.

But where we find ourselves with the game now we can’t expect to do that because there are so many internationals and so many domestic games, hence the inception of National Dual Contracts. The NDC is advantageous in that respect.

I’m at the end of it. But if you are a 24 or 25-year-old player who’s getting on to an NDC and is either established or getting established at a region. or just breaking into an international career, I think it’s a great event that will mean hopefully a region and Welsh rugby will keep that player.

Look after a player and you’ll have him for longer, playing in front of your supporters for longer, albeit playing fewer games per year.