News

Captain Jones lifts the lid on Haka

Sunday 23rd November 2008

Standing tall: Wales refused to back down from the haka

Wales captain Ryan Jones said his side's response to the New Zealand Haka on Saturday was to done so to show they would not be bullied on their own back yard.

The Wales skipper admitted the ploy was a deliberate act to raise the roof in Cardiff before kick-off.

On the back of a fiery opening Wales turned in a stunning first-half display to lead the All Blacks 9-6 at the break, only to see their guests turn on the style and secure a 29-9 victory after the break.

"It was something we came up with in the week," Jones told The Western Mail.

"We wanted to show it was our stadium, our pitch and our fans and we weren't prepared to give up the ground and we showed that in the opening exchanges of the game.

"We were confident going into the game. We had huge belief in the heart and the soul of this team and the individuals who wore the jersey."

Despite a fine individual performance Jones could not hide his disappointment at another defeat to one of the Southern Hemispheres big three sides.

But with Australia to come next weekend the Ospreys back row believes Wales are good enough to claim their scalp.

"If we tighten up on a couple of tactical things and don't give the best team in the world too much territory through our indiscipline we will not be a million miles away," said Jones.

"It is a pretty disappointed changing room. If we can polish up a few things we will get closer and closer.

"As individuals and a team and we have to review this.

"We can't keep dwelling on these performances and living in the past."

Wales' defence coach Shaun Edwards, who saw his side cough up two tries, paid tribute to the All Blacks defence.

"They have not had a try scored against them in three games," said Edwards.

"Their scrambled defence was very good and they have some excellent tacklers and players who compete superbly on the ball.

"I was pretty pleased with our defensive effort and to go 79 and a half minutes to concede only one try, which we leaked when we only had 13 men, was excellent.

"The last try would not normally have happened because we were chasing the game.

"We dropped off some tackles in the second half , but we put in a brave effort."