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Wales pencil in Jones to face NZ Jones eyeing All Blacks comeback
(1 day later)
Wales have been cheered by the news that captain Stephen Jones' knee injury is likely to heal quickly. Wales captain Stephen Jones says he is "optimistic" of recovering from injury to face New Zealand on 25 November.
The injury that forced Jones off in the 24th minute of the draw with Australia is a mild medial ligament strain. Jones suffered a medial ligament injury against Australia on Saturday, but revealed his knee is responding well to treatment at the squad's training base.
"It's a process of about two to three weeks, so we're waiting on Steve," said Wales attack coach Nigel Davies. "I struggled to walk Sunday morning, but I'm absolutely delighted with the way it's recovered so far," said Jones.
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. "I'm in a fortunate position where I've got access to a physio five times a day and that makes a huge difference."
"We're pretty confident at the moment, there's no guarantees but it's not a long-term injury," Davies added. The initial prognosis of a two-to-three lay-off for Jones still remains, ruling the fly-half out of Saturday's Test with the Pacific Islands and Canada's visit the following Friday.
Jones himself did not believe he had done any serious damage after limping out of the Millennium Stadium. Wales' medical staff are reluctant to give Jones a concrete return date, but the 28-year-old is confident he will be fit to face the All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium in the November series finale.
"The next couple of days are important and we'll have to see how the knee settles down," Jones had said. "The way the knee is responding to the treatment at the moment is great from my perspective, but one thing our physio won't do is to commit on a time," said Jones.
"I'm just trying to stay optimistic and I'm hoping to be back in action in a couple of weeks." We're in a very healthy and fortunate situation in that we've got a very competitive squad Wales captain Stephen Jones
I thought James Hook was outstanding Wales captain Stephen Jones "I understand why he does that because if he commits on a time and I can't make it then I'll hold him to that.
"But from my own personal perspective, I'm very optimistic."
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. although Wales coach Gareth Jenkins may wish to give an opportunity to Newport Gwent Dragons stand-off Ceri Sweeney.
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. "We're in a very healthy and fortunate situation in that we've got a very competitive squad," Jones added.
"I know Gareth is looking to build to the World Cup and I'd imagine that most of the guys in the squad will have an opportunity in this November campaign."
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