News

Mark Jones taking his chances

November 26 2008

One of the finds for Welsh rugby this season has been winger Leigh Halfpenny, who has starred both for club Cardiff Blues and in the first three of Wales' autumn internationals.

But the 19-year-old has been omitted from the matchday 22 for Saturday's game against Australia, Scarlets veteran Mark Jones stepping into his place on the right wing.

"Leigh has represented himself well in his first three caps for his country and made a real impact on the international scene," said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

"But he is a young man and after three huge games in succession we have decided to look after him and have him sit this one out.

"In Mark Jones we have a player who has been in form himself but was kept out, after being injured for our opening fixture, by Leigh's impressive showing.

"But he now has an opportunity to re-stake his claim and we are sure he will rise to that particular challenge."

Jones said the pressure of competition within the Welsh camp made it difficult to plan ahead or even know who would be in pole position for wearing the red jersey come match day.

"I try and go about my work as usual," the affable 29-year-old said.

"But you're never sure whether or not you're going to be playing. The competition is fierce and to be honest, I was preparing myself for the worst before I heard I was in the team.

"The difficult bit now is playing well on the weekend and vindicating my selection.

"Leigh has been playing very well, and stepped up from the Wales U20. But I always give 100 per cent effort.

"That said, I am sure that if I start making mistakes people will be asking why I'm playing and not Leigh.

"There's always pressure to go out there and help Wales win. I'm pleased to be out there: one winger (Shane Williams) is the IRB world player of the year, and the other the new kid on the block who's been playing well."

Jones will have his work cut out against a strong Australian trio at the back comprising wingers Peter Hynes and Digby Ioane alongside full-back Drew Mitchell.

"Australia have a very potent back three. They're good running players, good on their feet," Jones said.

"Peter Hynes is one of the top try scorers in Super 14. Digby Ioane I haven't seen so much of but if he's in a squad as strong as this he's not there by luck.

"Australia have always been very strong defensively," he added.

"We've got to be far more clinical when we get the chances, and at the top end of the game that's the big difference.

"The South Africa game (which Wales lost 20-15) still haunts some guys -it was there for the taking. And then we were 9-6 up against the All Blacks and the guys are pretty disappointed at letting that go.

"Australia are on a good run and have a new coaching set-up like us.

"It's going to be tough, but touch wood, we've got a decent home record against Australia at home in recent years."