Jones: Wales ready for overdue revenge

Wales will aim to end more than half-a-century of hurt against New Zealand tomorrow, and lock Alun-Wyn Jones admits: “It’s a big opportunity.”

Wales have tried – and failed – on 20 occasions to topple the All Blacks since beating them 13-8 at Cardiff Arms Park in 1953.

Given the fact they are without injured British and Irish Lions trio Mike Phillips, Lee Byrne and Adam Jones this time around, a depressingly familiar tale could unfold.

But Wales can take considerable encouragement from their performance against the All Blacks last November, when they led 9-6 just after half-time before eventually being overpowered.

There is also the Lions factor, with coach Warren Gatland naming 10 of the squad that stretched world champions South Africa to breaking point this summer before suffering an agonising 2-1 Test series defeat.

Ospreys lock Jones was one of those players who hit top form against the Springboks, and the challenge posed by another world rugby giant cannot come quickly enough.

“Sometimes as a nation, or a group of players, we can fear being in front or being so close in games,” he said.

“It’s a fear of winning.

“Last year against New Zealand, it was 9-9 after 45 minutes, and they then scored scored a try when we had two players down injured.

“I think we have more of a positive edge about us now, and less of a nervous one.

“We’ve been there before against them. We know we can do it for 40 or 45 minutes – it’s about doing it now for 80 minutes.

“It’s a difficult ’ask’, but it is also a big opportunity.”

Jones will be partnered in the Wales second row by 6ft 9in Newport Gwent Dragons colossus Luke Charteris – and if they can gain mileage from attacking a sometimes vulnerable New Zealand line-out, then it could have a significant bearing on the final outcome.

“We will look to compete on the majority of their ball,” added Jones.

“We’ve done quite a bit of analysis on them, and then it is a case of winning the game of chess that line-outs have become these days.

“A lot of sides have got the same line-out options – but it is when you use them.”

Wales will also require a strong scrummage – their cause has undoubtedly been helped by the absence of suspended All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock – which puts a huge emphasis on tighthead Paul James’ performance.

James wins only his second cap, and that has arrived six years after a Test debut against Romania in Wrexham.

But Jones said: “Paul has been playing well for the Ospreys for a number of seasons. He has been one of the most under-rated players within the system in Wales.

“It will be a tough ’ask’ for him, but I am sure he is up to it.”

For Gatland, tomorrow’s encounter provides the first of four fixtures in 12 months against New Zealand – and such regular exposure to them can only help Wales’ 2011 World Cup cause.

“During the next 12 months, we play the All Blacks four times, we’ve got two games against South Africa and two against Australia,” said Gatland.

“We are not running away. We want to play against the best teams in the world.”