Jamie Roberts Interview: ‘It feels like it is time to win for Wales’
Jame Roberts, who will be part of TNT Sports' coverage of the Autumn Nations Series, is hoping Wales can turn their fortunes around
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A run of nine Test losses in a row and falling to their worst-ever position in the world rankings means Wales enter their Autumn Nations Series campaign desperate to right some wrongs.
Classing Sunday’s encounter against Fiji at the Principality Stadium as a ‘must-win’ might sound dramatic to some but victory this weekend would provide a major shot in the arm for Warren Gatland’s side.
Even the ultimate Welsh optimist cannot deny that the national squad is in a dire position but the challenge now is for Gatland to begin turning the ship around.
“I think now is the time to win,” TNT Sports pundit and former Wales international Jamie Roberts tells TRU.
“Following a very difficult period, nine Test losses on the bounce, it’s not nice. We know that. That's very obvious, but it’s about having trust and faith in the process and that things will turn themselves around.
“It's important that there is a coach there that has experienced that and been through it and appreciates what it takes to turn things around.”
Gatland has been boosted by the return to the international scene of Will Rowlands and Adam Beard as well as half-back duo Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe, the quartet all named in the starting XV for Sunday.
“Welsh Rugby has been in a challenging place for the last year but there’s a lot of experience coming back,” Roberts adds. “ Jac Morgan, Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams these sorts of players all in key positions.
“And I feel there is a big motivation there. These players have had disappointing times but they’re on a steep learning curve, especially because a lot of this group is relatively young. I can’t wait to see them come out and play this autumn and I’m really optimistic.”
Part of that optimism from Roberts is down to Gatland’s squad selection and in particular the inclusion of younger players who are in form for their club sides, including Gloucester centre Max Llewellyn.
The 25-year-old, who scored a recent Premiership hat-trick against Leicester Tigers, starts in midfield alongside Cardiff’s Ben Thomas but Roberts also namechecked Eddie James of Scarlets as an exciting option available to Gatland.
“I think the two young midfielders, Eddie James and Max Llewellyn, they have all the ingredients to be top Test players,” Roberts says.
“They run great lines, they’re strong in contact and smart about the game distribution as well. They have really good midfield brains and I hope they get the opportunities.”
Another particular point of interest to many was Gatland’s decision to name Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake as captain, with many, including Roberts, of the opinion that the returning Jac Morgan - who is amongst the replacements on Sunday - might have skippered the side.
“I thought he’d have picked Jac Morgan as captain personally but it doesn't really matter. I think Jac is still going to be a leader in that side, as will Daf Jenkins when he comes back and he's fit.
“You know, there is some really, really good young leaders in that side but Dewi and Jac are the backbone of that Welsh pack. Two players who are, on their day, world-class.”
On top of the leadership debate, there is also a significant injury list with Gatland missing players who he has relied heavily on in years gone by including Josh Adams, Dafydd Jenkins, Elliot Dee and Taulupe Faletau. Combined, they have 222 caps.
“Those injuries will always leave big gaps,” Roberts explains. “Names of that quality and experience but as we've learned over the last couple of years in Welsh rugby, one man's misfortune is an opportunity for another and that’s none more true than at Test level. Sometimes only by those circumstances can young players be given the opportunity to see growth.
“And, as I said, there are some young players who are in that squad who have shown really, really good early season form. I can't wait to see them play on the Test stage because if they can replicate that for Wales, we’ll be in a really good place.”
Wales play Fiji first, before facing Australia in a repeat of the summer series - which they lost 2-0 - before ending the November window against world champions South Africa.
With the recent run of results, a successful autumn feels important for Gatland’s side.
“Wales should be targeting two wins this November,” Roberts says. “The Springboks is going to be a huge challenge, but if Wales gather enough momentum in these opening two games, I hope they'll take the Springboks to the wire as well.
“Australia is always a one-score game. That World Cup win [40-6 last year] feels a bit of an anomaly in the long history of Wales vs Australia fixtures and the summer was no different but we're at home this time.”
Wales team v Fiji: Winnett; Grady, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Murray; Anscombe, T Williams; G Thomas, Lake (capt), Griffin, Rowlands, Beard, Plumtree, Reffell, Wainwright.
Replacements: Elias, N Smith, Assiratti, Tshiunza, Botham, J Morgan, Bevan, Costelow.
Wales face Fiji this Sunday at the Principality Stadium. Every match of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series is exclusively live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Watch The Autumn Nations Rugby Show, free-to-air on Quest every Thursday at 10pm.
