Latest news with #TainePlumtree
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Edwards praises character of Wales after Japan win
Wales fly-half Dan Edwards says the tourists proved their character by defeating Japan in 31-22 victory ended an 18-match losing Test run that had lasted 21 months, with Edwards scoring a try in his 16-point haul in his first international earned Wales their first Test win since beating Georgia at the 2023 World Cup and levelled the series following a 24-19 defeat to Japan in Kitakyushu."It was about getting a win, I'm absolutely chuffed," said Edwards."Especially with everyone saying we didn't deserve to win last week and were writing us off, people have been writing us off for however long. "We've come back and shown everyone why we're here. It shows the character we've got. That was a real statement that when it gets tough, we can pull through."It's also just that little bit of a boost that Welsh rugby needed." Plumtree magic Ospreys fly-half Edwards, 22, scored a crucial late try after some magic from replacement flanker Taine Plumtree who produced an outrageous reverse pass."Fair play to Taine, he was brave doing that," said Edwards"It was great just getting on the end of it and finishing it off."Plumtree outlined his thinking about pulling off the move."It was just one of the main messages that Jockey [Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt] gave us was to be brave and express ourselves," said Plumtree."I think we were under an advantage. I heard Rog [Wales wing Tom Rogers] out the back so I pulled it back. Thank God it came through."Sherratt praised the adventure his players showed while under intense pressure."That last play summarises it for me," said Sherratt."It would have been easy to go to a safe lineout at the front. We have thrown to the back, run a more risky play. "And Taine Plumtree throws a reverse pass. I didn't intend for him to be that brave, but it worked."Plumtree came on for Cardiff flanker Alex Mann and was one of the second-half replacements who made an impact in the Kobe heat and humidity."As those bench players, you've got to bring energy to those starters," said Plumtree."You know the heat is incredible. It's tough being out there. "One of the jobs for us is bringing that level and trying to bring the boys up to finish off the game." Worth the wait for Giles Three new caps came off the bench in Ospreys duo Reuben Morgan-Williams and Keelan Giles, along with Dragons prop Chris moment was especially memorable for Giles who had his first taste of international rugby - nine years after being picked for his first now 27, was selected as an 18-year-old for the New Zealand tour in was an unused replacement in the narrow victory against Japan in November that year and also remained uncapped after being included for the trip to play Samoa and Tonga the following battling back from significant knee issues and hamstring problems, Giles was picked for the 2024 summer tour of Australia but had to pull out because of he has finally realised his dream."It's a massive day for me and my family," said Giles."They made the trip over, which made it extra special. It's unbelievable. "It's been a long time coming. It's almost like a full-circle moment, playing against Japan and being on the bench nine years ago against Japan and not getting on. "So it's an extra special feeling."Giles came on as a half-time replacement for the injured Josh Adams, who had scored a try and created one in the first half."I just wanted to get on the pitch no matter how many minutes I played," said Giles."A win has been a long time coming for fans of Wales. This group has worked extremely hard over the last couple of years. "To get that win, it's almost the monkey off our backs. It's something to build on now."The players have been feeling it, with 18 losses, the players felt it the most. "Now it's time to kick on and get more wins. We're looking forward to the autumn and the future."
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales team announcement Live as Taulupe Faletau misses out and big change made
Matt Sherratt has named his Wales team to face Japan in the second Test in Kobe on Saturday, with Taulupe Faletau missing out completely. Faletau's involvement had been in doubt earlier in the week - with the Cardiff No. 8 not training with the squad in Kobe on Tuesday after suffering with cramp in last week's extreme conditions. Aaron Wainwright replaces the 34-year-old at the back of the scrum, with Taine Plumtree taking up a place on the bench. There's two other changes in the pack, with second-row Freddie Thomas replacing the injured Ben Carter and tighthead Archie Griffin starting after Keiron Assiratti didn't train on Tuesday. There's just one change in the backline, with Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards being handed a start in the 10 jersey ahead of Sam Costelow. Saturday will be Edwards' third cap and his first start for Wales, having made his debut off the bench in this year's Six Nations. He partners club team-mate Kieran Hardy, who retains the scrum-half jersey from last weekend. On the bench, there's set to be three more debuts. Dragons tighthead Chris Coleman is in line for his first cap, as are Ospreys duo Reuben Morgan-Williams and Keelan Giles. For Giles in particular, a first cap has been a long time coming. The winger was initially named on the bench when Wales faced Japan in 2016, but he didn't get on. Since then, he's toured Tonga and Samoa in 2017, while he was also named in last summer's squad to tour Australia - but had to pull out injured. Every time, a maiden cap for Wales has evaded him. Last week's new cap, Liam Belcher, keeps hold of his place on the replacement's pine. Wales are looking to bounce back from last week's 24-19 defeat in Kitakyushu, which stretched the losing run at Test level to 18 and dropped Wales down to 14th in the world rankings. Having named his team, Sherratt will face the press at 6am UK time - which you can follow in the live blog below. Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (c), Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Aaron Wainwright. Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Chris Coleman, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Keelan Giles. Live updates below:
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales star moved to another level after personal 'wake-up call' from Gatland
Wales star moved to another level after personal 'wake-up call' from Gatland The Scarlets star has been in outstanding form and is now eyeing a big summer Henry Thomas and Taine Plumtree (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Taine Plumtree is confident the Scarlets can compete for the United Rugby Championship title this season as he targets a place on Wales' tour of Japan following a personal "wake up call". The Scarlets claimed a stunning victory in Johannesburg against the Lions last Sunday on the back of a noteworthy win over Leinster last month. Dwayne Peel's side face the Sharks in Durban this weekend and are in a strong position to reach the URC play-offs even if they lose. But Plumtree believes the Scarlets can achieve far more this season than simply reaching the top eight. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "Yes, 100%," said Plumtree when asked if the Scarlets can go far in the play-offs. "We are confident with each other as a group and we've got good coaches. "The play-offs is a bit foreign to a lot of these boys in the team now but you've got to touch back to the good leaders we have in this team like Josh Macleod, Gar Davies and Sam Lousi who have all been in those spots. Article continues below "They are good people to follow. It is a young group in the team and those are boys we do like to sit behind and let them take the lead. "I think we've been doing that brilliantly over this last season. Hopefully we make the play-offs this week and it's not just the quarter-finals we make. "We are really in contention to make the final and hopefully lifting some silverware." The backrower has been in outstanding form for the Scarlets over the past few weeks with his explosive carrying, athleticism and physicality a big asset to the Welsh club. But Plumtree was initially left out of Wales' Six Nations squad after being told to work on his discipline, but he has bounced back a better player and is targeting a place on the summer tour of Japan. "I think it was probably a bit of a wake-up call," he said. "I got some pretty decent feedback on things I needed to do better. I've hopefully been implementing that in my game. "The summer tour is a goal of mine that I want to make. Getting left out of the Six Nations was really disappointing because the year before I was injured and I really wanted to play. "You can never really get anything if you don't work hard for it. I think I've been working pretty hard over the last few months and with the summer tour hopefully I'll be involved with that. Article continues below "There was a lot of smarts around defence and breakdown. I think I was averaging around two or three penalties a game potentially in one block of the season. "I had to look at those penalties and think how I could be better to either help the team and not potentially go for a jackal or go for a barge and instead going out into the defensive line. "So, things like that. Also, my physicality around defence and getting that right."
