Welsh Rugby
Jones seeks elusive win
PA Sport
November 24, 2008
Ryan Jones captain of Wales (R) lines upwith his team for the National Anthems prior to the start of the Invesco Perpetual rugby match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, United Kingdom on November 22, 2008
Jones and Wales will complete their autumn schedule against Australia this weekend © Getty Images
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Wales wind up their autumn Test schedule next Saturday still seeking a victory captain Ryan Jones believes will take his team "to the next level."

New Zealand's 29-9 success at the Millennium Stadium means Wales have now lost 30 out of 33 games against Tri-Nations opposition since rugby union's professional era dawned 13 years ago. Australia are next up, with Wales needing to salvage the November series by repeating their 2005 success at the Wallabies' expense.

And it would prove the perfect send-off into this season's Six Nations Championship. Wales launch their title defence against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 8.

Reflecting on Wales' fourth southern hemisphere failure in five months, Jones said: "If we can pick up on some of the tactical areas, then I think we can get closer to these sides. Beating one of the southern hemisphere teams will take us to the next level.

"We have to move on, and the next game has to be our priority. If we can polish up a few things, we will get closer and closer."

New Zealand's eventual show of power saw them score 23 unanswered points, as centre Ma'a Nonu and flanker Jerome Kaino claimed tries that ended a valiant Welsh effort following three Stephen Jones first-half penalties. The latest defeat came just a fortnight after Wales were left similarly frustrated by world champions South Africa, when they also failed to score a try.

Flanker Martyn Williams said: "You only get one or two chances against the top sides, and you've got to take them. Their first try was probably the first chance they had all game, and they took it straightaway. You look at the scoreboard, you haven't really done a lot wrong and you are 16-9 behind.

"We can cope physically, but it is about learning mental intensity. You've got to go for 80 minutes against these teams - if you switch off for a split second, you are standing behind your posts."

Wales boss Warren Gatland is due to name his starting line-up tomorrow for the Australia clash, with at least one change certain. Lock Ian Evans suffered a knee ligament injury during the build-up to Nonu's try, and he looks likely to be replaced by his Ospreys colleague Ian Gough.

Scarlets scrum-half Martin Roberts, who made his Test debut against Canada 10 days ago, is another probable starter. Both Gareth Cooper and Dwayne Peel are unlikely to be released from Guinness Premiership commitments with Gloucester and Sale Sharks respectively.

Because the Australia game falls outside the International Rugby Board's autumn Test window, clubs have first call on their players' services. But it is far from certain who would provide bench cover for Roberts, given that Wales Grand Slam star Mike Phillips is still recovering from a knee injury.

Gatland could find himself having to draft another scrum-half into his squad - or utilise star wing Shane Williams' versatility as a number nine option.

© Scrum.com

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