News

Jones dreaming of dizzy heights

November 29 2008

Wales captain Ryan Jones believes "the sky is the limit" for his side after a confidence-restoring 21-18 victory over Australia at the Millennium Stadium.

The win brought a satisfying conclusion to the autumn Test series for Warren Gatland's side after defeats by South Africa and New Zealand in previous weeks.

It was the first time Wales had floored a Tri-Nations heavyweight since 2005 and the reigning Six Nations champions produced some scintillating rugby in patches as wing Shane Williams and full-back Lee Byrne scored memorable first-half tries.

Fly-half Stephen Jones ultimately made the difference, though, kicking eleven points - including a 67th-minute drop-goal - to keep Australia at bay.

The Wallabies, beaten in Cardiff three years ago, lost injured skipper Stirling Mortlock inside three minutes, but still pushed Wales through tries by Mark Chisholm and Digby Ioane, while fly-half Matt Giteau slotted a conversion, penalty and drop-goal.

And according to number eight Jones, the win will give Wales great belief as they prepare for the defence of their Six Nations title early next year.

"We're really pleased and hopefully we will kick on from here now," he said, speaking to BBC Sport.

"We played some fantastic rugby today and I think we proved we are capable of doing it against the top sides. There were some really special guys missing today and we did it for them.

"With the work ethic in this team and the coaches we have got, I think the sky is the limit."

Impressive full-back and British and Irish Lions hopeful Byrne added his pride but admitted there was a very nervy period towards the end.

"It's been a long time coming and we have been unlucky in the last couple of games - this was a must-win game today," he said.

"It was a bit tense at the end and we all thought 'here we go again' but we stuck at it and our defence was superb."

Meanwhile, fellow try-scorer Shane Williams was also delighted to hail his colleagues after victory.

"It was tremendous and I'm glad to be a part of it. It was a massive team effort, Lee Byrne is playing some incredible rugby at the moment," he said.