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Jones eyeing All Blacks comeback | |
(1 day later) | |
Wales captain Stephen Jones says he is "optimistic" of recovering from injury to face New Zealand on 25 November. | |
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. | |
"I struggled to walk Sunday morning, but I'm absolutely delighted with the way it's recovered so far," said Jones. | |
"I'm in a fortunate position where I've got access to a physio five times a day and that makes a huge difference." | |
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. | |
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 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. | |
We're in a very healthy and fortunate situation in that we've got a very competitive squad 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. although Wales coach Gareth Jenkins may wish to give an opportunity to Newport Gwent Dragons stand-off Ceri Sweeney. | |
"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." | |
Scrum V: Have your say on rugby | Scrum V: Have your say on rugby |