Afrigather Ben Thomas says he’s “attempting to not overthink” his new position as Wales fly-half forward of Saturday’s second Take a look at towards Australia.
Thomas was a shock choice at No 10 for the opening contest of the two-match sequence as Wales went down 25-16 in Sydney final weekend.
The 25-year-old performed nearly all of his membership rugby final season for Cardiff at inside-centre, however has been chosen over Sam Costelow by Warren Gatland for each video games in Australia.
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Saturday’s second Take a look at in Melbourne, dwell on Sky Sports activities Motion at 10:45am, will likely be only a fourth worldwide look for Thomas, with final weekend having been his first begin for Wales after two substitute appearances in 2021.
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Watch highlights of Australia’s opening Take a look at win of head coach Joe Schmidt’s tenure towards Wales in Sydney
“It has been fairly good,” he informed Sky Sports activities Information.
“I’ve had lots of assist, to be truthful, from the coaches the final two weeks, as a result of it has been a fairly new problem, however one I’ve loved. It has been actually good.
“I believe there is usually a lot that comes with the Welsh 10 jersey, so for me it is about appreciating what’s come earlier than but additionally attempting to not overthink it.
“It is nonetheless rugby though it is a Take a look at match. So, for me, it is attempting to maintain a steadiness.”
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Wales labored their manner again into the sport courtesy of a penalty strive
Thomas made only one begin at fly-half for Cardiff final season, together with his different 16 appearances coming within the 12 jersey, however he believes the character of his position for his membership has ready him effectively for this chance.
“I am fairly comfy. The way in which I play for Cardiff within the 12, I discover myself rather a lot at first receiver, so it isn’t an enormous distinction for me,” he stated.
“You positively have much more time at 12, however I believe in all probability for me, at 10, it is about discovering a steadiness between bringing that playmaking position but additionally driving the workforce across the subject and placing us into the fitting areas.
“I believe that is in all probability going to be the problem at 10, the game-management facet of issues. However I’ve loved that problem and it is one thing I hope to maintain enhancing on.”
‘Wales attempting to flip dropping behavior’
Final Saturday’s defeat prolonged Wales’ dropping streak to eight matches, a run that began with their closing fixture ultimately 12 months’s Rugby World Cup.
A number of of these losses have been by tight margins, and the reverse in Sydney was the newest instance of Gatland’s facet arising brief in a fixture which they appeared able to profitable.
Thomas says that it is “non-negotiable” for Wales to place an finish to the streak on Saturday to interrupt the “behavior” of dropping.
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“I believe we had been all massively pissed off with how we let final week’s recreation run away from us,” he stated.
“We had ample alternatives to win that recreation and in the end we weren’t scientific sufficient. So this week it is non-negotiable for us to win.
“I believe that is in all probability the principle factor. Once you begin dropping video games it could actually turn out to be a little bit of a behavior, so we’re attempting to flip that on its head and make profitable a behavior.
“So, I believe we have to recover from the road firstly after which hopefully we’ll begin to discover ways to see out these shut video games.”
Wales play Australia within the closing Take a look at of the sequence on Saturday, dwell on Sky Sports activities Motion from 10.30am (10.45am kick-off) – with England vs New Zealand dwell on the identical channel simply prior. Stream rugby’s summer internationals in 2024 and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
