By Hannah Blackwell
Wales skipper Hannah Jones has told her players to park their disappointment at being pipped by Italy in the second round of their WXV2 campaign and challenged them to finish on a high against Japan on Friday.
The prize is a first win in WXV having failed to win in the top-tier tournament last year and having fallen to both Australia and Italy in South Africa this month.
It will be Wales 11th game of 2024 and they are seeking only a fourth win.
Hannah Jones returns to captain Wales in their second round WXV2 game against Italy. ✅
Sisilia Tuipulotu is named among the replacements. ✅https://t.co/qZJDhEcRb8
— GME (@GME_Token_) October 3, 2024
Having come within a whisker of grabbing the match-winning try at the end of a tight tussle with the Italians – it ended 8-5 to the women in blue – Jones wants her team to become more clinical in the vital moments as they get set to keep the Japanese in check in their final outing.
“Any game against Italy is a 50-50 situation and losing to them was disappointing. It’s just the same messages as last week,” said Jones.
“We created a lot of opportunities on attack but failed to finish them off. Defensively we looked really sharp, which is a positive to take from the game, and the hits the girls put in were great.
“We’ve had a short turn around before facing Japan and we can’t dwell on that. Japan won’t care how we are feeling.
“It’s a huge game for us and we’ve stuck together this week and stayed tight. We have to get the best out of this game.
“The Japanese play a very fast game – they’re quick, they’re nippy and they are fit. They also have a very good kicking game, so we’ve been working on that.”
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Jones opted out of the shark diving trip some of her teammates went on during their day off in the build up to the final game, but she wants a ‘no-fear’ approach from her side to try to end on a high.
The emphasis has to be on being clinical and precise in their attacking game.
“We were disappointed after the Italian game because we care so much. We want to win for ourselves and for the fans at home,” added Jones.
“That’s why it’s OK to feel disappointed and angry with ourselves, although now we’ve got to
park that and move on. We need to find a style of attack that works for us.
“It has been a work on in training this week, but then it’s about transferring what we’re doing in training onto the field in the game.
“I’ve come to terms with what is expected of me as a captain both on and off the field, but you are always learning and growing. I’ve got a good group behind me and I’ve got some great leaders around me on the field.”
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