Alun Wyn Jones becomes prime Sonny Bill Williams to tear through Wallabies
With Wayne Pivac staring down the barrel of a sacking this week after Wales’ historic loss to Georgia, he had not other choice but to roll out Alun Wyn Jones for Australia this week.
Within minutes of the 37-year-old’s return to the starting XV, the decision was paying off as he sliced through the Wallabies’ defensive line. That was impressive enough for the 155 cap Welshman, but no one was expecting him to pull of a prime Sonny Bill Williams offload to assist the opening try of the game for Jac Morgan.
The question is, how many years do Wales have left of calling upon Jones when they are in trouble? Ten? Twenty? Probably thirty, and then he’ll likely retire ahead of his 70th birthday.
Take a look at the try:
🙌That break from Alun Wyn Jones to put @jacmogs7 in for the try💪 #AutumnNationsSeries #WALvAUS pic.twitter.com/kGnVEhPY0q
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 26, 2022
Wales XV
15. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 43 caps)
14. Alex Cuthbert (Ospreys – 54 caps)
13. George North (Ospreys – 108 caps)
12. Joe Hawkins (Ospreys – uncapped)
11. Rio Dyer (Dragons – 2 caps)
10. Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys – 34 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 39 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 16 caps)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets – 85 caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 44 caps)
4. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 40 caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys – 154 caps)
6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 5 caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys – 88 caps) captain
8. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 94 caps)
Replacements
16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 32 caps)
17. Rhodri Jones (Dragons – 23 caps)
18. Tomas Francis (Ospreys – 66 caps)
19. Ben Carter (Dragons – 8 caps)
20. Josh Macleod (Scarlets – 1 cap)
21. Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 15 caps)
22. Rhys Priestland (Cardiff Rugby – 55 caps)
23. Sam Costelow
Australia XV
1. James Slipper (c) (126 Tests)
2. Folau Fainga’a (37 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (63 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (8 Tests)
5. Cadeyrn Neville (7 Tests)
6. Jed Holloway (9 Tests)
7. Fraser McReight (9 Tests)
8. Langi Gleeson (2 Tests)
9. Jake Gordon (19 Tests)
10. Ben Donaldson (1 Test)
11. Mark Nawaqanitawase (2 Tests)
12. Reece Hodge (61 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (25 Tests)
14. Jordan Petaia (24 Tests)
15. Tom Wright (22 Tests)
Replacements
16. Lachlan Lonergan (7 Tests)
17. Tom Robertson (30 Tests)
18. Sam Talakai*
19. Ned Hanigan (27 Tests)
20. Pete Samu (32 Tests)
21. Tate McDermott (20 Tests)
22. Noah Lolesio (16 Tests)
23. Jock Campbell (3 Tests)
*denotes uncapped
