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| Wales pencil in Jones to face NZ | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Wales have been cheered by the news that captain Stephen Jones' knee injury is likely to heal quickly. | Wales have been cheered by the news that captain Stephen Jones' knee injury is likely to heal quickly. |
| The injury that forced Jones off in the 24th minute of the draw with Australia is a mild medial ligament strain. | The injury that forced Jones off in the 24th minute of the draw with Australia is a mild medial ligament strain. |
| "It's a process of about two to three weeks, so we're waiting on Steve," said Wales attack coach Nigel Davies. | "It's a process of about two to three weeks, so we're waiting on Steve," said Wales attack coach Nigel Davies. |
| That means Jones will miss Tests against the Pacific Islands and Canada, but has a good chance of being ready to face New Zealand on 25 November. | That means Jones will miss Tests against the Pacific Islands and Canada, but has a good chance of being ready to face New Zealand on 25 November. |
| "We're pretty confident at the moment, there's no guarantees but it's not a long-term injury," Davies added. | "We're pretty confident at the moment, there's no guarantees but it's not a long-term injury," Davies added. |
| Jones himself did not believe he had done any serious damage after limping out of the Millennium Stadium. | Jones himself did not believe he had done any serious damage after limping out of the Millennium Stadium. |
| "The next couple of days are important and we'll have to see how the knee settles down," Jones had said. | "The next couple of days are important and we'll have to see how the knee settles down," Jones had said. |
| "I'm just trying to stay optimistic and I'm hoping to be back in action in a couple of weeks." | "I'm just trying to stay optimistic and I'm hoping to be back in action in a couple of weeks." |
| I thought James Hook was outstanding Wales captain Stephen Jones | I thought James Hook was outstanding Wales captain Stephen Jones |
| Jones has captained Wales once before, in a World Cup warm-up, but the match with Australia was the first in his tenure as the new Wales captain. | Jones has captained Wales once before, in a World Cup warm-up, but the match with Australia was the first in his tenure as the new Wales captain. |
| "It was frustrating to get the bump early on, I tried to stay on the pitch but knew the knee was no good," Jones added. | "It was frustrating to get the bump early on, I tried to stay on the pitch but knew the knee was no good," Jones added. |
| "We started the game like a team that hasn't been together for a while; we've only had three days' preparation, although the preparation has been particularly good. | "We started the game like a team that hasn't been together for a while; we've only had three days' preparation, although the preparation has been particularly good. |
| "The Australians came out of the blocks and put us under pressure, but what's great is the character of our side and the self-belief and we had faith in our game plan." | |
| James Hook, the 21-year-old Osprey, replaced Jones and produced a fine display in his first Test match on home soil, kicking all his points and looking in control after Jones' departure. | James Hook, the 21-year-old Osprey, replaced Jones and produced a fine display in his first Test match on home soil, kicking all his points and looking in control after Jones' departure. |
| "I thought he was outstanding; he kicked the pressure kicks, he controlled the game very well and I'm delighted for him," Jones said. | "I thought he was outstanding; he kicked the pressure kicks, he controlled the game very well and I'm delighted for him," Jones said. |
| Hook is now likely to start next Saturday's international against the Pacific Islands, with further Tests against Canada and New Zealand to follow on successive weekends. | Hook is now likely to start next Saturday's international against the Pacific Islands, with further Tests against Canada and New Zealand to follow on successive weekends. |
| However, despite Hook's heroics against the Wallabies, Wales coach Gareth Jenkins may wish to give an opportunity to Newport Gwent Dragons stand-off Ceri Sweeney, who has been in good form this season. | However, despite Hook's heroics against the Wallabies, Wales coach Gareth Jenkins may wish to give an opportunity to Newport Gwent Dragons stand-off Ceri Sweeney, who has been in good form this season. |
| Scrum V: Have your say on rugby | Scrum V: Have your say on rugby |