Meg Jones is aware of rugby is unfair which is why she is giving it every part to get to the Olympics, writes Milly McEvoy of Sportsbeat.
The 27-year-old has spent the previous season enjoying for the all-conquering Purple Roses in 15s however has now returned to the sevens fold forward of the HSBC SVNS 2024 Grand Remaining in Madrid.
Learn extra: Even Quins followers ought to cheer Owen Farrell in his Saracens swansong
The match serves as the ultimate probability for individuals to place their arms up for Olympic choice in a contest setting with Jones hoping to usurp one of many gamers who has been a part of the cycle the entire approach by.
“My greatest factor is the sport is unfair,” she stated. “As a lot as you wish to be loyal and persist with the staff and what they should do. You additionally should persist with what it’s essential do, and I understood that by going again to the Purple Roses after which coming again to sevens.
“Sure, there’s a staff facet and the way you match into that for sure and my emotional intelligence might be one thing that has set me aside, so I’ve understood that. However the sport isn’t eternally so it’s essential do what’s greatest for you and whenever you try this, I believe you get one of the best out of the person.”
Jones admits that whereas an Olympic medal is the present precedence, she has one eye on a Rugby World Cup triumph with the match returning to England subsequent 12 months. That was the motivation behind spending the previous season with John Mitchell’s Purple Roses, starring as England claimed the Grand Slam.
And she or he isn’t the one one making the swap with Girls’s Six Nations Participant of the Championship Ellie Kildunne additionally returning to Sevens. She added: “There’s been a giant shift beneath John Mitchell that the sport is unfair and that’s necessary in sevens as properly.
Rugby World Cup ➡️ #HSBCSVNS
Are you extra excited to see Ellie Kildunne and Meg Jones at #HSBCSVNSMAD? 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hfvMsyNdxB
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) Could 31, 2024
“I learnt that earlier than, however I believe it has been highlighted extra. When the ref says the improper name or if there’s something that the ref hasn’t seen, how can we react? As a result of the sport is unfair and typically the ball doesn’t bounce the way in which you need it to bounce.
“Typically one of the best groups, significantly within the tight video games, are those who come out on prime and don’t really feel betrayed or victimised by the sport. They simply get on with it, put their onerous hats on, roll up their sleeves. That is likely one of the greatest learnings I’ve jumped on with the Purple Roses.”
One other key talent she is bringing from the 15s set-up is the power to govern defences, with Jones having watched the sevens on from afar.
She believes her decisiveness and intent, in addition to being a pure chief, will assist her slot straight again into the sport.
Nonetheless, she has additionally harassed how tough it’s to make the change between the 2 disciplines and is to get the ideas of Antoine Dupont and Michael Hooper who’re additionally treading the identical path forward of Paris 2024.
“It does really feel like an audition, I wish to see how I get on,” the Cardiff-born participant stated. It heightens what efficiency sport is, you need one of the best gamers on the pitch, and also you need to have the ability to win a medal. It’s a staff sport on the finish of the day, it’s not in regards to the particular person.
“However I’m coming into this setting, I want to verify I’m doing every part I can from my perspective. I’m treating it with respect, I’m understanding emotionally how it’ll make individuals really feel and vice versa.
“I’m additionally a giant character, I perceive I can’t simply go in all weapons blazing, I want to know the place I can slot in and the place I could make the staff higher as properly. I absolutely know my position and I’m invested in making that occur, both as a small cog or as a giant cog, we’ll see once I begin enjoying.”
It’s Grand Remaining weekend within the coronary heart of Madrid, that includes thrilling rugby matches and immersive cultural experiences. From the thrill on the pitch to the excitement within the air, that is one occasion you received’t wish to miss. Be a part of historical past within the making on the iconic Civitas Metropolitano Stadium.
Obtain the digital version of Rugby World straight to your pill or subscribe to the print version to get the journal delivered to your door.
Observe Rugby World on Fb, Instagram and Twitter/X.
