Wayne Pivac hails Ellis Jenkins’ leadership qualities
November 6, 2021, Cardiff, Roma, Wales: Ellis Jenkins of Wales during the Autumn Nations Series 2021, rugby union test match between Wales and South Africa on November 6, 2021 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales - Photo Simon King/DPPI/LiveMedia (Credit Image: © Simon King/LPS via ZUMA Press)
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has praised Ellis Jenkins after naming the back-row as skipper for their clash with Fiji.
The flanker only returned to the international game last weekend after three years out following a horrific knee injury.
He was comfortably the team’s best player during the 23-18 defeat to South Africa and ended the match as the Welsh captain when Jonathan Davies was replaced.
A good communicator
Jenkins, 28, now leads from the start on Sunday, and Pivac said: “Ellis has certainly got leadership qualities, we know that.
“He has the ability to captain a side, but the first thing you need to do to do that is be a number one starter, so the big thing for him at the moment is to keep on building on his short return to the game.
“Where we are with the lack of leadership and captaincy experience lends itself to him taking the side this week. Certainly, we don’t think it’s going to hamper his game.
“He is an experienced player, he understands the game and he makes good decisions. He is a good communicator, good with referees and asks good questions.
“He has been, and will be again, a leading player for Wales moving forwards. It’s just time now in the saddle for him in his position back on the park.
“There is no reason why Ellis, with his skill-set, can’t have the ability to play across the back-row, in my opinion.
“The big thing is making sure players don’t lose too much speed with a serious injury like that, and that’s something Ellis is working on. I am sure he is just going to get better and better.”
Sunday also promises to be a red-letter occasion for 19-year-old Exeter prospect Christ Tshiunza.
Tshiunza can play in the second-row or back-row and he will be among Wales’ replacements against Fiji, with a Test debut looming.
Pivac added: “He is athletic, can play six and second-row, and at 19 with that natural frame at the moment, just imagine him in two years’ time with the training and the gym.
“We want to bring him into camp, because every now and then a player like this comes along and the more time you can spend with them and further their development, the better it is for them.
“He is in a pretty good space at the moment at Exeter, and he will be learning a lot there as well.
“If you look at what is coming up with the 2023, 2027, 2031 World Cups, those boys at 19 and 20 years of age, there is no reason if they look after themselves and keep developing that they can’t be involved in three Rugby World Cups.
“Getting to a World Cup with 33 players, you have to have players who are interchangeable and can play more than one position.
“We want to have what I would describe as a hybrid – someone who can play at lock and six.”
England boost as they return no new positive Covid tests
Meanwhile, England have received a significant boost ahead of the clash with the Wallabies after they returned no further Covid-19 positives.
Joe Marler was ruled out of this weekend’s clash after he tested positive for the virus and, as a result, the rest of the squad and backroom staff underwent an additional round of PCR testing.
Fortunately for the Red Rose there have been no new cases, which significantly aids their preparations for Saturday’s game.