Jones looks for Wales to rediscover cutting edge
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The Wales captain Ryan Jones wants a bold and ruthless approach from his team when they aim to rediscover their scoring touch against Argentina at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff today.
Despite making a total of 17 line-breaks against New Zealand and Samoa during the past fortnight, Wales' paltry reward for such adventure has been a solitary try, for Leigh Halfpenny against Samoa. It has though, proved the tale of Wales' year.
Discounting the summer tour to North America and a four-try haul in their 2009 Six Nations opener away to Scotland, Wales have posted just five touchdowns in six Tests, and only two at home.
While Jones and company are braced for a fearsome physical challenge from Argentina's revered pack, the captain has no intention of being dragged into a dogfight.
"We really have to go for it when we have chances," said the Ospreys No 8, who wins his 34th cap this afternoon, but first against Argentina.
"It's the 50-50s that win you Test matches, and we are not that far away. We are only half a yard away with that pass, or whatever. We are doing all the hard work, but not getting the rewards for what we are doing. We have to take ownership, as individuals, of the errors we have made. As a team, we have to be more positive, be bold and put our necks on the line."
Jones's rallying call comes ahead of a tricky assignment for Wales, who have lost four of their last six Tests against the Pumas and currently find themselves one place below Argentina in the official world rankings.
After losing to the All Blacks and then edging out Samoa 17-13, Wales know they must step up a gear, especially with the challenge of an in-form Australia looming next weekend. "It is frustrating," said Jones. "We have only created one try. We are making breaks and failing to score and putting teams away.
"Hopefully, we have addressed that, and if we are given half-chances, we have to take them. We've had success in the past when we have done exactly that. We have scored turnover tries and players like Shane Williams have capitalised on errors."
Wales: J Hook (Ospreys); L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Scarlets), G Cooper (Cardiff Blues); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), M Rees (Scarlets), P James (Ospreys), A W Jones (Ospreys), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), A Powell (Cardiff Blues), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Jones (Ospreys, capt). Replacements: H Bennett (Ospreys), Du Jones (Ospreys), J Thomas (Ospreys), D Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), D Peel (Sale Sharks), A Bishop (Ospreys), T James (Cardiff Blues).
Argentina: H Agulla (Brive); L Borges (Albi), G Tiesi (Harlequins), M Rodriguez (Rosario), M Comuzzi (Pucara); S Fernandez (Hindu), A Figuerola (CASI); R Roncero (Stade Français), M Ledesma (Clermont Auvergne), M Scelzo (Clermont Auvergne), M Sambucetti (Bristol), P Albacete (Toulouse), T Leonardi (San Isidro), A Abadie (Rovigo), J M Fernandez Lobbe (Toulon, capt). Replacements: A V Basualdo (Toulouse), M Ayerza (Leicester), M Carizza (Biarritz), A Campos (Montauban), A Lalanne (London Irish), B Urdapilleta (C.U.B.A), H San Martin (Tala).
Referee: G Clancy (Ireland).
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