With video by Marcus Hughes
SHAUN Edwards was “delighted” with Wales’ defensive game despite conceding 20 points in their victory over Argentina on Saturday.
“In the modern day game, because there are so many tries being scored at the moment, if you can keep a team to 20 points or under, there’s a pretty good chance you are going to win,” said the assistant coach.
From Wales’ training base, the Vale Resort, Edwards said he was particularly pleased with the performance of second row Alun Wyn Jones.
“I think Alun Wyn Jones was absolutely world class. He’ll be getting the defensive player of the week,” said Edwards.
Asked whether he wanted to be a coach on the approaching Lions tour, he said: “It all depends on what Warren decides. It’s everyone’s ambition to go on a British Lions tour and if you do get asked to go it means you’re doing your job pretty well.”
Edwards was overlooked in favour of Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell for the last British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2013.
The next test against Japan on Saturday will be a “tough game”, according to second row Luke Charteris.
He said teams like Japan, Romania and Georgia were challenging the traditional rugby playing nations.
“These are the teams who are certainly closing the gap between tier one and tier two nations. It’s definitely getting a lot smaller,” he said.
Charteris picked out No 8 Amanaki Mafi as a Japan player they would be keeping a close eye on.
“He is a very good player. He’s probably their ‘go to’ player in the forwards and certainly he will be one for us to target.”
