Adam Jones opens up on funny George North moment as he pays tribute to ‘one of Wales’ modern greats’
Wales back George North and ex-prop Adam Jones.
Legendary Wales and British and Irish Lions prop Adam Jones has paid tribute to his former teammate George North, who bows out of international rugby in the Six Nations clash with Italy
With the news from Wales that one of their finest threequarters, Test centurion North, is hanging his international boots up at the relatively young age of 31, Planet Rugby’s James While caught up with another Welsh centurion, the great Adam Jones, to understand what made North tick as a person and to assess his immense contribution to the Wales jersey.
Character building
There’s an old adage in rugby that you leave the shirt in a better place than you found it, and in the case of Wales’ wing-cum-centre North there’s no doubt that his presence in their backline has been a positive for their rugby for nigh on 14 seasons.
He was just 18 when he was named in Wales’ squad for the 2010 November internationals having burst on to the professional scene with a two-try haul for the Scarlets in the Magners League earlier that season. A debut followed against South Africa and North marked it in style, scoring twice and laying on another in a narrow defeat 29-25 in Cardiff.
Jones played in that match against the Springboks and fondly remembers his first encounter with the wunderkind from West Wales.
“He was a bit of a pipe cleaner back then,” Jones exclusively told Planet Rugby.
“Tall and gangly and hadn’t quite filled out into the giant you see now, but it was obvious to all of us what incredible athletic potential he had. I think he scored in the first moments of his debut – a dream start, and then got us ahead just after halftime until Victor Matfield started a Bok comeback and closed the match off for them.
“However, I was driving down the M4 towards Llanelli to see my wife’s folks the following day, and was extremely late. As I drove down the motorway, I saw a car parked on the hard shoulder, and much to my amusement, there was George, red-faced and very peed off, with a flat tyre. Now, if he’s reading this, I need to front up and say I was as late as hell, and I am absolutely hopeless when it comes to mechanical things, so I had to drive past and not stop!
“I thought to myself, if anyone asks, I’ll just say, ‘Well, it’s character building for the young lad…’ but the truth is I’d have been totally useless when it comes to changing a wheel, so I wasn’t going to embarrass myself in front of our youngest player!”
George North’s legacy
North leaves the international arena with a huge legacy: 122 Tests, 49 tries, unbeaten in Lions series and a double Grand Slammer in 2012 and 2019.
But for all his achievements, Jones believes it’s the person rather than the performances that will be most fondly remembered by his teammates.
“During the various tours we went on together, my folks and George’s parents, Jan and Dave, became very close and spent a lot of time together as supporters, so naturally, I got to know the youngster quite well,” the current Quins scrum coach said.
“As a Lion, he provided so much on that 2013 Australian tour: a brilliant performance in the first Test and then that famous Folau moment when George just picked him up like a sack of spuds and carried him with him!
2013 British and Irish Lions Tour – Second Test – Australia v British and Irish Lions George North lifts Israel Folau
“Folau scored a belter in that match and I think George was keen to show him who was boss! It’s a shame he had to leave the New Zealand 2017 tour so early, and I have no doubt he’d have gone to SA in 2021 but for that nasty ACL injury which really knocked him back for almost a year.
“As an athlete, he continually set the bar for all of the players around him. He and his wife Becky (James, an Olympic cyclist) absolutely live and breath fitness and hard work.
“For all his dedication to the sport, it’s how he conducted himself that was the most impressive thing. I am not exaggerating when I say he’s one of the nicest and well-liked blokes in rugby, whether for Wales, The Lions, Saints or his two regions, Scarlets and Ospreys. He’s the first guy the opposition chat to, always respected and loved by those around him for his calmness and generosity, and that’s something that isn’t always valued as much as it should be in this modern era.”
Farewell
Jones added: “It’s interesting that this weekend he’ll be up against two huge centres for Italy in a similar mould to George himself, with Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex in opposition, both massive guys. Both of these two Azzurri lads have impressed me greatly this campaign and the whole of the Italian backline will give North and his pals a challenge I am sure they’ll relish.
“But when he leaves the field on Saturday in Cardiff for the last time, win, lose or draw, let’s remember this superb athlete as one of Wales’ modern greats and give him the ovation and support he deserves.
“He’ll tell you he won’t want the fuss or noise; he’s too humble and too nice for that, so let’s make him blush, raise the roof and remind him of the huge impact he’s had on the sport both for Wales and The Lions as I don’t think we will see a player of his quality and impact for a few years to come.”
