SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Porto vs. Roma: 18 hrs 18 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
friendly | International Rugby Union
Jul 24, 2021 at 5pm UK
 
South Africa
17-22
LionsBritish and Irish Lions
de Klerk (50')
FT

Alun Wyn Jones: 'Our job is not done yet'

:Headline: Alun Wyn Jones: 'Our job is not done yet':
The Lions clinched the opening Test 22-17 behind closed doors at Cape Town Stadium.
Sports Mole
Alun Wyn Jones: 'Our job is not done yet'

Alun Wyn Jones has reminded his British and Irish Lions celebrating their stunning comeback victory over South Africa that the ultimate prize has yet to be claimed.

The Lions showed resilience to battle back from a 12-3 deficit at the end of a first-half dominated by the Springboks to clinch the opening Test 22-17 behind closed doors at Cape Town Stadium.

Victory at the same venue next Saturday would seal a first series triumph against South Africa since 1997 and Jones expects a backlash from the world champions, who became ragged as the tourists' fightback gathered momentum.

"We know what we've achieved but we also know what we haven't achieved. There is still plenty to do and this is a three-Test series," the Lions captain said.

"Knowing the calibre of the player and the attitude our opposition have, we have to be better again – first and foremost within ourselves. But we also have to deal with what we know is going to come next weekend.

"There were smiles after the game. In any sport, you have to enjoy moments like this as they don't come round very often.

"But the caveat to that is we are only a third done and that message has already been planted. It's a time for everyone to take stock of where we are and be ready to move on to next weekend.

"Everybody has been part of this from the start of the Tour and they still are. A squad wins a series and that has in no way, shape or form diluted how we will enjoy this win.

"But the focus will come pretty quickly on Sunday and Monday when we're straight back into it."

South Africa stormed into the lead with four penalties from fly-half Handre Pollard until their coronavirus-disrupted build-up caught up with them after half-time.

Facing a Lions side that began playing with a renewed sense of purpose, the side that crushed England in the 2019 World Cup final began to look vulnerable as their discipline collapsed.

Their pack was bullied with Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes their chief tormentors, they lost control of the skies and they ran out of steam, although they stayed in the fight until the final whistle.

Maro Itoje was named man of the match for the second Test (Steve Haag/PA)

"We were pretty composed at half-time. I wouldn't say disappointed, probably more frustrated by the fact we put pressure on ourselves," Jones said.

"Our kicking game got better in the second-half and the set piece became prevalent, so we can be pleased. But there are definitely things to work on from the early part of the game."

Remarkably for a 35-year-old who had dislocated his shoulder during a warm-up match only four weeks earlier, initially ruling him out of the tour, Jones finished the match.

"I feel like I've been in a Test! My effort was borne out of getting back into this group," said Jones, who has been dubbed 'Lazarus' and 'Miracle Man' because of his rapid recovery.

"I didn't know I was going to be selected but I'm happy to be part of it and add to the energy the guys brought."

body check tags ::

amp_article__456844 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-07-25 10:43:10:
html db last update - 2021-07-25 10:43:10 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!

Click here for more stories about Alun Wyn Jones

Click here for more stories about British and Irish Lions

Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
South Africa back decision to rule out Willie Le Roux try
Triumphant Tarkowski: Everton score last-gasp equaliser in final Goodison Park derby
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool24176158233557
2Arsenal24148249222750
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Chelsea24127547311643
5Manchester CityMan City24125748351341
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2494114242031
12Crystal Palace247982830-230
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
15Everton246992530-527
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2476112946-1727
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Will James be fit to start? Predicted Chelsea XI vs. Brighton

1

WJ
Will James be fit to start? Predicted Chelsea XI vs. Brighton

Top Premier League goalscorers of all time

2

TP
Top Premier League goalscorers of all time

Club president opens up on failed Rashford move

NEW

3

CP
Club president opens up on failed Rashford move

Transfer battle: Man United 'eyeing swoop' for Real Madrid-linked defender?

NEW

4

TB
Transfer battle: Man United 'eyeing swoop' for Real Madrid-linked defender?

Salah's silver lining: Liverpool attacker breaks PL record in dramatic derby

5

SS
Salah's silver lining: Liverpool attacker breaks PL record in dramatic derby

Preview: Qatar Open: Elena Rybakina vs. Iga Swiatek - prediction, head-to-head, tournament so far

6

PQ
Preview: Qatar Open: Elena Rybakina vs. Iga Swiatek - prediction, head-to-head, tournament so far

The £75m man: Man United, Real Madrid 'among clubs interested' in centre-back

7

T�
The £75m man: Man United, Real Madrid 'among clubs interested' in centre-back

Former Chelsea, PSG players among nine signed by Boavista

8

FC
Former Chelsea, PSG players among nine signed by Boavista

Tottenham 'keen' on ex-Man City attacker but 'face huge battle' for his services

9

T'

Al-Hilal confirm Salah desire: Is Liverpool forward really heading for Saudi Arabia?

10

AC
1x1


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .