"The character, the attitude" – Alun Wyn Jones ranks his five toughest opponents

Wednesday, 27 October 2021 at 12:06

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byRugby Rucker

Alun Wyn Jones will win his 149th cap for his country when he leads Wales out against New Zealand at the Principality Stadium.

Here are the thoughts of the Wales and Lions captain on some of the toughest opponents he's come up against down the years.

ALUN WYN JONES: TOUGHEST OPPONENTS

#1. Paul O'Connell

Born October 20, 1979, Limerick
Major teams British and Irish Lions, Munster, Ireland
Caps 115
Position Lock

The Irish second row was certainly blessed with special rugby powers having been one of the world’s leading tight forwards for more than a decade. A three-times Lions who captained the tour of South Africa in 2009.

Jones wrote: 'I remember being impressed with his unruffled demeanour, plus his level of organization. All his socks in one bag, all his shorts in another. Everything decanted into smaller bags within bigger bags'

'You cannot shy away from how effective the guy was in his position.'

Did you know? O'Connell initially excelled at swimming and only started playing rugby at the age of 16

Source: The Rugby Paper

#2. Bakkies Botha

Born September 22, 1979, Newcastle, Natal
Major teams Barbarians, Blue Bulls, Bulls, South Africa A, Toulon, South Africa
Position Lock

The second row enforcer in South Africa’s World Cup winning team of 2007, this was a man you didn’t mess around with. Rounded off his career with three European Cup wins with Toulon.

Jones said: "He revelled in it didn't he. Physically he has to be up there. Let's just say he was able to keep the tradition going of the hardest of South African second rows."

Did you know? Botha is the only player in the history of rugby union to date to have won a hat trick of Super Rugby and European rugby titles

Source: Youtube

#3. Justin Harrison

Born April 20, 1974, Sydney, NSW
Major teams Australia A, Barbarians, Bath Rugby, Brumbies, New South Wales Waratahs, Ulster, Australia
Caps 34
Position Lock

Harrison, who has a fierce feud with former England international Austin Healey, was almost better known for his larger than life personality than his rugby. A veteran of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, he spent the later years of his career with Ulster and Bath.

Jones said: "Away from the physical side, banter-wise it would have to be Aussie lock Justin Harrison. He was interesting to play against to say the least."

Did you know? He is currently the head of the Australian Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA)

Source:Youtube

CONTINUES ON PAGE FOUR

#4. Kyle Sinckler (England)

Born March 30, 1993, Wandsworth
Major teams Bristol Bears, British and Irish Lions, England
Caps 50
Position Prop

Alun Wyn Jones wrote: 'Kyle Sinckler is good fun, a connection between us in Adam Jones, the tight-head ahead of me for so long for Ospreys and Wales for so long, a coach for him in his formative years was a good icebreaker. I'd like to think we get on. I like his aggression and energy on the pitch. Those are assets that can be harnessed, not controlled.'

Did you know? Sinckler has represented England at under-16, under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels, and has been a crucial member of the senior team since 2016

Belonging'

#5. Owen Farrell (England)

Born September 24, 1991, Billinge
Major teams British and Irish Lions, Saracens, England
Caps 99
Position Fly-half

Jones wrote: 'The character, the attitude. You could imagine being a kid of Owen's age when his Dad was playing, looking around at Wigan dressing room, at the men in there, how they went about their lives. Owen was very vocal in training from the start. And I never mind having a bollocking from an outside-half, particularly when they're right. I'd rather know than not know, when I can improve and it's context.'

Did you know? Farrell celebrates every point he scores by linking his index fingers together to make a 'JJ' sign, the Joining Jack salute, Joining Jack being a charity dedicated to the needs of sufferers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

SOURCE: 'Belonging'