Wales ready for All Blacks revenge

PA Sport - Fri, 06 Nov 14:45:00 2009

Wales will aim to end more than half-a-century of hurt against New Zealand on Saturday, and lock Alun-Wyn Jones has admitted "it's a big opportunity".

Alun Wyn-Jones - Wales - 0

Wales have tried - and failed - on 20 occasions to topple the All Blacks since beating them 13-8 at Cardiff Arms Park in 1953.

But they can take considerable encouragement from their performance against New Zealand last November, when they led 9-6 just after half-time before eventually being overpowered.

"I think we have more of a positive edge about us now, and less of a nervous one," said Ospreys lock Jones. "We've been there before against them. We know we can do it for 40 or 45 minutes - it's about doing it now for 80 minutes. It's a difficult 'ask', but it is also a big opportunity."

Jones will be partnered in the Wales second row by 6ft 9in Newport Gwent Dragons colossus Luke Charteris - and if they can gain mileage from attacking a sometimes vulnerable New Zealand line-out, then it could have a significant bearing on the final outcome.

"We will look to compete on the majority of their ball," added Jones.

"We've done quite a bit of analysis on them, and then it is a case of winning the game of chess that line-outs have become these days.

"A lot of sides have got the same line-out options - but it is when you use them."

PA Sport

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  1. Wales will have to play out of their skins to win and­ the All Blacks will need to play below par and that­ comes from the mouth of a passionate Welshman and­ partisan rugby supporter

    From Michael, on Sat 7 Nov 8:15AM

  2. momentum guys thats what the kiwis have, they have­ winning and game momentum wales dont have international­ match fitness and it will show, to win wales will need­ to play out of their skins and play for 90 minutes not­ 80, the defence of the kiwi team is sublime conceeding­ only 4 tries through out the tri-nations, their­ cleanout of the ruck is second to non and the richie­ mccaw factor in the ruck is something wales dont have,­ ok they have martin williams but he aint got the skill­ that mccaw has if carter has a good game then wales­ have a problem and its not often he plays a bad game,­ and zac guildford may not have international experience­ but if you watch the games he has played you will see­ that he is a good replacement for sivivatu, n.z are­ missing the best and most feared loose head prop in­ world rugby, now come on i know gethin jenkins is good­ but he doesnt have the swagger that woodcock has on the­ field and hasnt scored as many points for his country­ as woodcock has done for n.z, dont think it will be a­ blowout but dont think wales can win they got a better­ chance of beating australia

    From derekharrison1983, on Fri 6 Nov 10:18PM

  3. Whats becoming tiresome is listening to tiresome people­ proffessing to be rugby fans but can do nothing but­ make tiresome comments about southern hemisphere this,­ southern hemisphere that, blah, blah,blah......... I­ have nothing but respect for the All Blacks and the­ tradition that goes with them but they are not­ invincible, 4 losses seem to point that way!! Am sure­ that the IQ level of some of these previous posts­ writers is not indicative of all southern hemisphere­ so-called rugby fans. Hope for a fantastic game.

    From Lee R, on Fri 6 Nov 6:56PM
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Wales have no chance against the kiwis, or Australia­ for that matter, the fact is the southerhn hemisphere­ produce better rugby players & the odd win proves­ nothing, the whole business of playing these sides is­ becoming rather tiresome, Ned Kelly

    From jcastledineruiz, on Fri 6 Nov 5:57PM

  5. Be suprised if Blacks dont gt 300r 40 points they was­ gd against Australia.

    From granthinks, on Fri 6 Nov 5:45PM

  6. How are Wales over rated? Is it because our players­ are constantly saying how great they are, I dont think­ so, unlike another of our home nations!

    We have a­ good chance on Saturday, we may not beat them, but if­ we do then it will be put to bed, and not gloated over­ or saying we should join the tri nations!

    From Graham H, on Fri 6 Nov 5:02PM

  7. No chance. All Blacks too good in every department.­ Wales too over-rated in every department.

    From greenstandard, on Fri 6 Nov 4:23PM
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