Wales captain Ryan Jones expects the international season ahead to be ‘as tough as it gets’ – starting with clashes against Australia, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand, in that order, at the Millennium Stadium in November.
Jones knows Rugby World Cup preparations begin in earnest for his side when 2011 Pool D opponents South Africa and Fiji come to Cardiff on the 13th and 20th November respectively, but he also accepts the two other fixtures on the calendar this Autumn, against the Wallabies (6th November) and the All Blacks (27th November), will provide a vital yardstick to preparations.
“It all starts with the best three nations in the world on our home patch with Fiji thrown in the mix just to spice things up a bit,” said Jones.
“That’s as tough as it comes. When you’re embarking on a season like this, you need a yardstick to see where you are in the world and this series will certainly do that.
“With the new law interpretations, this campaign will be a good tester for us, a real eye-opener for everyone involved.”
And the Lions and Ospreys back row is hoping Regional form will provide the right momentum for Wales, who currently lie one spot behind Fiji at 9th in the IRB World Rankings, to come up with those all important wins during the series.
“Hopefully, we will go into the campaign on the back of good Heineken Cup runs for our Regions.
“We’re going to give these Tests our all and hopefully come away with some results.
“After all, at our end of the business, we are results based and we will be judged on that alongside performances.”
In less than a year’s time Wales will be in New Zealand facing the Springboks at the Wellington Regional Stadium in their Pool D opener and Jones emphasised that preparations over the next 12 months must be perfect in order to give his side a chance on the greatest stage of them all.
“We have twelve or thirteen games before the world cup and it is vital to build a strong squad of players,” added Jones.
“A number of first choice players have suffered injuries over the past few seasons, but the beauty of the autumn games is that they have given players opportunities to come to the fore.
“That is crucial at this time – you’re not going to win the world cup with 15 players – there are going to be injuries, guys who miss out, so you’ve got to have the biggest possible playing base with players on top form, and fully available for selection to allow us to be competitive within the squad going into these games.”
Tickets to see Wales take on New Zealand, as well as Australia, South Africa and Australia, this Autumn at the Millennium Stadium are available now from…Web: www.wru.co.uk/tickets Tel: 08442 777888 and to Personal callers: Cardiff Arms Store, 8 Westgate Street, Cardiff.
Saturday fixtures against the Wallabies, on 6th November, the Springboks, on 13th November and the All Blacks, on 27th November are priced at £25, £40, £60, £65 and £70, with the Friday night clash with Rugby World Cup Pool D opponents Fiji priced at just £20 and £25 with a children and concessions available for just £10.
Official hospitality packages can be purchased from just £99 per person for Wales v Fiji at the official Millennium Stadium website: www.millenniumstadium.com.
Prices start at £169 for games against Australia and South Africa and from £179 for New Zealand – packages include a ticket located in the best seats of the house, a complimentary match programme and a guest speaker from the world of rugby.
