Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
+8
LordDowlais
Scarpia
eirebilly
TightHEAD
Sgt_Pooly
Gooseberry
RuggerRadge2611
yappysnap
12 posters
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Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
Legendary Wales and British and Irish Lions tight-head prop Adam Jones is to retire at the end of 2017-18.
The 37-year-old revealed his decision on BBC Two Wales' Scrum V, signalling the end of an 18-year top-flight career that began with Welsh club Neath.
He is one of only six Welshmen to have won three Grand Slams during a 100-cap Test career.
Jones starred for Neath, then Ospreys, and played a season for Cardiff Blues before joining Harlequins in 2015.
Adam Jones
Adam Jones won the 2013 Six Nations title with Wales, as well as Grand Slams in 2005, 2008 and 2012
"It's been an amazing career, a fantastic 18 years," he told BBC Wales while Quins announced he will stay on as a scrum coach beyond the end of this season.
Abercrave-bred Jones' international career began for Wales against England at Twickenham in August 2003 and took in three World Cups and the 2009 and 2013 Lions tours.
His Test career officially ended in 2015 after he fell out of favour with Wales coach Warren Gatland.
Before the 2014-15 season began, Jones' 11-year stint at Ospreys concluded and he joined their Welsh rivals Cardiff Blues.
Since his 2015 move to Quins, Jones has added scrum coaching to his playing career. But that has meant he has not played a senior game for the Premiership club this season.
Jones added: "A lot of people probably thought I already was retired because I haven't been on the pitch this year, but I gave it another go this year in a player-coach role and have been lucky enough to have been given that shot by Harlequins.
"I haven't missed playing. It's not been like every weekend I've been itching to get on the field.
"At the moment I'm scrum coaching - that keeps you in the game.
"I'm very pleased with my knock. When I first played for Neath I never thought I'd do what I did or get as far as I did because I didn't come through the system at age-grade and all that.
"It's been an amazing career, a fantastic 18 years."
In the pantheon of Welsh rugby superstars, there resides a great many fleet-footed conjurors, and Willo-the Wisp type magicians.
It's the Bennys, the Barrys, and the Gareths that live on in the imagination of Welsh supporters.
Adam Jones could not be further in stature or deed from his illustrious predecessors.
His reputation was carved from the coal face of international rugby. Brute strength, explosive power, and a refusal to buckle were his trademarks.
He was the bulwark; the cornerstone. The rock that gave the backs the space and time to provide the thrills.
But once the dust settles on his 18-year career, his achievements will rank alongside them. Those 18 years have been eventful.
From the humiliation of being subbed off after 30 minutes by former Wales coach Steve Hansen, to the heartache of a World Cup semi-final defeat, to the elation of a Grand Slam. Or, more precisely, three of them.
It's that achievement that gains him admission to an elite group of internationals.
Only six Welshmen have experienced Grand Slam glory three times - Gareth Edwards, Gerald Davies, JPR Williams, Ryan Jones, Gethin Jenkins, and Adam Jones.
And his name has been written into Lions folklore, once for "taming the beast" in 2009, when his entry to the fray against South Africa proved a thoroughly emasculating experience for Tendai Mtawarira.
And four years later, in Australia, when he helped the Lions to their first series victory in 17 years.
His heroics in 2009 against the Springboks established him as arguably the greatest tight-head of his generation.
What a flipping legend, and having met him in person, a nice bloke too.
yappysnap- Posts : 11993
Join date : 2011-06-01
Age : 36
Location : Christchurch, NZ
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
A few stats:
95 Wales Caps
2 British and Irish Lions Tours
4 Six Nations Titles
3 Grand Slams
3 World Cups with Wales
6 Tries
95 Wales Caps
2 British and Irish Lions Tours
4 Six Nations Titles
3 Grand Slams
3 World Cups with Wales
6 Tries
yappysnap- Posts : 11993
Join date : 2011-06-01
Age : 36
Location : Christchurch, NZ
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
Adam Jones was a terrific player and still is a brilliant ambassador for the sport. Hope he enjoys his retirement.
RuggerRadge2611- Posts : 7194
Join date : 2011-03-04
Age : 39
Location : The North, The REAL North (Beyond the Wall)
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
Gooseberry- Posts : 8384
Join date : 2015-02-11
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
He is my neighbour, and I have known him for years, ever since he met his other half and moved to Merthyr for her career.
He is a top bloke. Also, a very handy person to know when there is a lot of snow about and you need to push cars out of your drive.
An absolute legend, and that is not for rugby, but for always, and I mean always, wearing flip flops and Hawaiian shorts no matter what the weather. I have seen us in -5 temperatures and he will be wearing them, with a black puffer jacket.
Well done Adam.
He is a top bloke. Also, a very handy person to know when there is a lot of snow about and you need to push cars out of your drive.
An absolute legend, and that is not for rugby, but for always, and I mean always, wearing flip flops and Hawaiian shorts no matter what the weather. I have seen us in -5 temperatures and he will be wearing them, with a black puffer jacket.
Well done Adam.
LordDowlais- Posts : 15419
Join date : 2011-05-18
Location : Merthyr Tydfil
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
Few better TH's in the scrum under the old laws, when the hit was king. Not able to fully replicate his form with the new laws but a top top player.
Sgt_Pooly- Posts : 36294
Join date : 2011-04-27
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
Adam like 'Big Phil Vickery' will never retire.
TightHEAD- Posts : 6192
Join date : 2014-09-25
Age : 62
Location : Brexit Island.
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
Excellent player, really one of the best there has been and that stare would send shivers down spines.
My favourite moment was when he took on and schooled 'The Beast' in the 2009 Lions tour in SA.
Never met him but from all accounts from others who have, genuinely a decent lad as well. Best of luck to him in the future.
My favourite moment was when he took on and schooled 'The Beast' in the 2009 Lions tour in SA.
Never met him but from all accounts from others who have, genuinely a decent lad as well. Best of luck to him in the future.
eirebilly- Posts : 24807
Join date : 2011-02-09
Age : 53
Location : Milan
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
Gooseberry wrote:Phil VickeryAdam Jones will go down as the last of the great old school props. Expect to see him with a high profile scrum coaching job somewhere soon.
I think they said he was staying on with Harlequins as scrum coach. (He could pass a ball well too)
Scarpia- Posts : 297
Join date : 2011-01-27
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
Old school player in the new school era. And I mean that as a compliment. Top guy too. Very humble.
Guest- Guest
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
The Oracle wrote:Old school player in the new school era. And I mean that as a compliment. Top guy too. Very humble.
He is very, very humble.
I had some of my guys doing a job for him, and when they got to his house he introduced himself, as if they would not know who he was. He is a very nice and approachable chap.
LordDowlais- Posts : 15419
Join date : 2011-05-18
Location : Merthyr Tydfil
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
Legend of the game and totally stole the show on Question of Sport.
Easy on the eye too
Easy on the eye too
Luckless Pedestrian- Posts : 24898
Join date : 2011-02-01
Age : 45
Location : Newport
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
Cheers Adam, you're a ledge mate.
mikey_dragon- Posts : 15585
Join date : 2015-07-25
Age : 35
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
Quality player. Seems like a top bloke. Just adds to the aura of Phil vickery. How is that guy still going
No 7&1/2- Posts : 31374
Join date : 2012-10-20
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
No 7&1/2 wrote:Quality player. Seems like a top bloke. Just adds to the aura of Phil vickery. How is that guy still going
Vickery’s time will come. He can’t go on forever.
Guest- Guest
Re: Adam Jones to Retire at the End of the Season
All the best Adam. Great character and great player and proof that you can play rugby looking like a cross between a pork pie and a poodle
Cyril- Posts : 7162
Join date : 2012-11-16
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