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You are here: Home ∼ Ex-Bok skipper hails ‘respected’ B&I Lions captain

Ex-Bok skipper hails ‘respected’ B&I Lions captain

Alun Wyn Jones British & irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones
Standard published on June 24, 2021

Legendary former Springbok captain John Smit has come to the defence of under-fire British & Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones, whom he believes embodies the spirit of rugby more than any other player.

Many column inches have been dedicated to dissect the impact – or lack thereof – the Wales and Lions captain will have in the three-Test series against the Springboks, but World Cup champion and Lions series winner Smit said the 35-year-old Jones still poses a threat if his performances in Wales’ title-winning Six Nations campaign are anything to go by.

Speaking to RugbyPass.com, he said: “For me, I really have to talk to Alun Wyn Jones and his story.

“How he has been able to manage his body, because he plays a physical game of rugby and still be so good at his age, that really is what embodies the spirit of the British & Irish Lions. It’s that tenacity, the toughness and the gutsing it out.

“He’s been the captain of a very successful Welsh team and he is the right choice, the right captain. He is a man who has the respect of everyone around him, even his opposition.”

Smit is the second World Cup and Lions series-winning Bok that has come to Jones’ defence, after Victor Matfield denounced the notion that the Lions captain is too old as ‘nonsense’.

Photo: Lions Rugby

Posted in British and Irish Lions, News, Springboks, Test Rugby, Top headlines Tagged 2009 Lions Tour, 2021 Lions Tour, Alun Wyn Jones, British and Irish Lions, John Smit, Lions tour, NEWS, Springboks, Test Rugby

Post by SA Rugby magazine

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