Meg Jones is aware of rugby is unfair which is why she is giving it all the pieces to get to the Olympics, writes Milly McEvoy of Sportsbeat.
The 27-year-old has spent the previous season taking part in for the all-conquering Pink Roses in 15s however has now returned to the sevens fold forward of the HSBC SVNS 2024 Grand Last in Madrid.
Learn extra: Even Quins followers ought to cheer Owen Farrell in his Saracens swansong
The event serves as the ultimate likelihood for folks 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 via.
“My largest factor is the sport is unfair,” she mentioned. “As a lot as you wish to be loyal and persist with the crew and what they should do. You additionally should persist with what it’s essential to do, and I understood that by going again to the Pink Roses after which coming again to sevens.
“Sure, there’s a crew facet and the way you match into that undoubtedly and my emotional intelligence might be one thing that has set me aside, so I’ve understood that. However the recreation shouldn’t be without end so it’s essential to do what’s finest for you and whenever you try this, I believe you get the most effective 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 event returning to England subsequent yr. That was the motivation behind spending the previous season with John Mitchell’s Pink Roses, starring as England claimed the Grand Slam.
And he or she shouldn’t be 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 an enormous shift beneath John Mitchell that the sport is unfair and that’s vital in sevens as nicely.
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) Might 31, 2024
“I learnt that earlier than, however I believe it has been highlighted extra. When the ref says the unsuitable 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.
“Generally the most effective groups, significantly within the tight video games, are those who come out on high and don’t really feel betrayed or victimised by the sport. They only get on with it, put their arduous hats on, roll up their sleeves. That is without doubt one of the largest learnings I’ve jumped on with the Pink Roses.”
One other key talent she is bringing from the 15s set-up is the flexibility to control 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.
Nevertheless, she has additionally burdened how troublesome 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 mentioned. It heightens what efficiency sport is, you need the most effective gamers on the pitch, and also you need to have the ability to win a medal. It’s a crew sport on the finish of the day, it isn’t in regards to the particular person.
“However I’m coming into this surroundings, I want to verify I’m doing all the pieces I can from my perspective. I’m treating it with respect, I’m understanding emotionally how it’ll make folks really feel and vice versa.
“I’m additionally an enormous character, I perceive I can’t simply go in all weapons blazing, I want to grasp the place I can slot in and the place I could make the crew higher as nicely. I totally know my position and I’m invested in making that occur, both as a small cog or as an enormous cog, we’ll see once I begin taking part in.”
It’s Grand Last weekend within the coronary heart of Madrid, that includes thrilling rugby matches and immersive cultural experiences. From the joy on the pitch to the thrill 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.
