logo
Huw Jones believes Lions' centre options are interchangeable as first Test looms

Huw Jones believes Lions' centre options are interchangeable as first Test looms

Yahoo2 days ago
Huw Jones insists the British and Irish Lions' centres are fully interchangeable despite the presence of established national combinations as the race for Test selection reaches a critical point.
While a host of Andy Farrell's men played their way out of contention for the series against Australia in an unimpressive 21-10 victory over the New South Wales Waratahs, Jones seized his chance with both hands.
Advertisement
The 31-year-old ran in two tries in Sydney – the first the product of his understanding with Scotland midfield partner Sione Tuipulotu – in the most eye-catching performance from a 12 or 13 so far on tour.
Jones shone against the New South Wales Waratahs (Robbie Stephenson/PA)
If the Lions are to blend their best performing centres against the Wallabies in the first Test on July 19, then Bundee Aki and Jones will start.
The conundrum facing Farrell with two matches to go before the Brisbane opener is whether to reward form or opt for the familiarity provided by the ready-made units of Tuipulotu and Jones or Ireland's Aki and Garry Ringrose.
Jones, however, believes after being in camp for three weeks, the quartet have reached a point where they are interchangeable.
Advertisement
'As a centre group we have been working really hard to get the connections with all of us,' the Glasgow Warriors back said.
'For the first try, Sione knows where I'm going to be. We have played loads together and it's all about timing.
'It worked against the Waratahs, but there's no saying it wouldn't have worked with any other player.
'We have worked as a unit in building those sorts of connections, whatever combination plays in the next couple of games, so hopefully we will see more results like that.
'We bounce loads of ideas off each other in terms of rugby stuff, but socially as well it has been great to get to know the others. They are great guys and that makes it easier.
Advertisement
'If you enjoy each other's company then you're willing to spend the time with each other on and off the field. That goes for the whole squad.
'It has been a really enjoyable couple of weeks, but once we get on the field we are giving each other all the secrets and trying to help each other out as much as we can.'
Jones has scored three tries in as many appearances for the Lions and having joined the tour with a niggling Achilles problem, he is now flying.
'After the Six Nations I was struggling with injury. I got it scanned late on in the season and we managed to then have a bit of an intervention,' he said.
Advertisement
'It definitely feels better now, which is good. I didn't play much since the Six Nations, just two games.
'So over this last week it has been good over to get two 80 minutes in a row and a bit off the bench against the Western Force. I feel like I have shaken off the dust.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Startling news about who would have replaced Cameron Munster in Origin decider
Startling news about who would have replaced Cameron Munster in Origin decider

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Startling news about who would have replaced Cameron Munster in Origin decider

Billy Slater has confirmed Cameron Munster will play in the State of Origin decider on Wednesday night, after resisting the urge to bring Ezra Mam back into Queensland camp. Munster will re-join his Maroons teammates in Sydney on Tuesday afternoon, after leaving camp to be with his grieving family after the death of father Steven last weekend. 'Cam will arrive this afternoon, so it'll be good to see him, I can't wait to give him a hug,' Slater said on Tuesday morning. 'Naturally he's been pretty upset over the last couple of days, but he's been where he's needed to be with his mum and his sister. He's spent some time with them on his way back into camp now. 'They are tragic circumstances and it was a real sad and sombre mood over the last couple of days. I'm sure the lads are looking forward to seeing him and getting around him as well. There was a fair bit of uncertainty with 'Mun' on Sunday morning when I was sitting in his room, but the one thing he was certain about is that he was playing on Wednesday night. 'That's one thing that he was very firm with. He didn't have a lot of answers for a lot of other things, but he gave that one to me pretty straight. Once he said 'I'll be playing Wednesday night' that was it for me. We'll get around him this afternoon. It's a huge game and he wants to be a part of that.' Slater was forced to devise a contingency plan on the off chance that Munster couldn't play. Broncos five-eighth Mam would be the perfect replacement, and was 18th man for the Maroons for Game 2. But Slater instead opted to use Walsh at No.6 if he needed to make a last-minute change. Walsh is a fullback by trade, but has played one game at five-eighth at NRL level. He trained in the halves on Monday amid Munster's absence, but the fact Slater didn't call on a back-up five-eighth meant he knew Munster would play. The death of Munster's father Steven has saddened the Queensland playing group, but it's also come as a source of inspiration as they look to make Origin history. No Maroons team has ever won a series after losing the opening game at home and going on the road for the second and third fixtures. Harry Grant, a teammate of Munster with the Maroons and Melbourne Storm, grew up in the same home town of Rockhampton and knows the Munster family well. He said Steven would be proud of his son's decision to play on Wednesday night. "When you think about it, Cameron Munster captaining Queensland brings so much pride to his whole family, and Stevie-boy would love to see him out there in the maroon captaining his state," Grant said on Monday. "I think it is very brave the way he is handling the situation. We have to respect the way he is handling it and give him that time and space ... and then flick the mindset to Queensland Maroons, Origin and what is around the corner. "The best way we can support him is throwing our arms around him and ultimately ... with our performance and our preparation. It shows the strength of character of Cam and who he is, and more importantly how much the Maroons mean to him and his family." RELATED: Queensland Origin star spills secret about Johnathan Thurston NSW insider answers key question surrounding Nathan Cleary Grant said the tragic loss of a beloved family member puts the game - and life itself - into perspective. "It hits everyone hard, as we are all aware. You don't know what is around the corner, so you have got to be nice and present, and take in the moments you have," Grant said. "(Munster has) a beautiful family and I've had plenty of moments and plenty of experiences with the family over the years. What we can control is our performance, and that's the best way to pay our respects to the family. It's a real reminder that this is just a game, and as much as we love it there is more to life than rugby league. At the end of the day sometimes rugby league is people's lives as well." with AAP

'Hasn't served us well': NSW ditch pre-game tradition or State of Origin 3
'Hasn't served us well': NSW ditch pre-game tradition or State of Origin 3

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

'Hasn't served us well': NSW ditch pre-game tradition or State of Origin 3

NSW Blues captain Isaah Yeo says plans to scrap a popular State of Origin tradition are about restoring a sense of normality for the team ahead of Wednesday night's series-deciding game against Queensland. For the last six years, the Blues have warmed up at the adjacent NSWRL Centre of Excellence, before embarking on a four-minute walk through an underground tunnel that connects to their home ground at Accor Stadium. It's one of the most theatrical entrances in Australian sport and takes the Blues players past a who's who of NSW Origin greats, whose faces adorn the tunnel walls before they reach the ground. But NSW coach Laurie Daley flagged a change to the routine after analysing their slow start in Game 2 and wants to simplify the process so the Blues can focus purely on their preparation. "We just want to get over there and be a part of it instead of walking over there (after the warmup)," Daley told "I like getting on a bus and going to a game rather than walking to a game. That's what it is. I'd rather jump on a bus, leave the hotel and go from there and hopefully it's a smoother preparation." And while Yeo admits there are parts of the tradition he loves, the NSW skipper admitted the emotion it can stir up in the players 'hasn't served them overly well' in previous years. The Blues will instead complete their warmup inside the sheds at Accor, before running onto the field through the normal tunnel, which is more in line with how the players approach regular NRL games. 'It can be a really good thing but then previous years it probably hasn't served us overly well in terms of that emotion," Yeo said about plans to scrap the tradition. "I think it's just about being a bit more normal. Any sort of big game you play at Accor normally you're in the actual Accor sheds, so I think that's more of the thinking behind it. "It was probably getting tossed up a bit last year as well." The NSW captain cited Joseph Suaalii's infamous send-off at the start of Game 1 in Sydney last year as evidence that a more low-key entrance would be beneficial in keeping the emotions of the players in check. 'We chose to go with the tunnel and then the incident (Joseph Suaali'i getting sent off) pretty early on and you can probably go (to) hindsight but I just think it's just a bit of normality," he added. "You warm up in the sheds, you do what you normally do in big games. I think that's the way we're going to go.' RELATED: Latrell Mitchell footage that hints at huge NSW switch for Origin 3 Cam Smith responds as NRL considers breaking rule for Wayne Bennett Startling news about who would replace Cameron Munster in Origin 3 The Blues captain declared teammates Brian To'o (knee) and Payne Haas (back) certain starters for Wednesday night's series decider after both came through injury clouds to partake in an opposed session against the the Bulldogs' Jersey Flegg team on Monday. 'They've done everything that we've asked them to do and what the plan was for them leading into the game,' Yeo said on Tuesday morning. 'Bizza (To'o) did most of the session last time, got through unscathed and Payne did the parts that he needed to do.' NSW halfback Nathan Cleary is also good to go, despite an ongoing groin issue that means he won't kick for goal again on Wednesday night. Daley and NSW team manager Frank Ponissi have both indicated that Zac Lomax will be given goal-kicking duties once more, despite only making two from five attempts in Game 2, with Latrell Mitchell and Stephen Crichton handy back-ups if he has another off night.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store