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Wales pencil in Jones to face NZ Wales pencil in Jones to face NZ
(about 5 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 the Pacific Islands Test and probably the Canada game, but should be 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 JonesI 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.""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 rugbyScrum V: Have your say on rugby