Jamie Roberts has made his reputation as one of the leading midfielders of his generation by confronting problems head on. That was his approach when he was told last week he had been dropped to the bench by Wales for the first time in seven years following an uncharacteristically diffident display in a crushing defeat against Australia.
It was Roberts’s 30th birthday when he was told he would not be present in the starting team against Argentina last Saturday. He remained on the bench and it will be Japan at the Principality Stadium on Saturday who will feel the controlled fury of the powerful Lions centre who would stand out among their forwards.
“I could think of a few four-letter expletives to describe how I played against Australia,” said Roberts, who characteristically chose to face the media and talk about one of the lowest days in his long and successful career. “The hardest thing was probably trying to find a reason why, but it was nothing more or less than a bad day for someone who prides himself on consistency of performance, especially defensively.
“I did not deserve to play against Argentina. We have a competitive squad and if you don’t perform, you don’t keep the jersey. I fully respected the decision of Rob Howley [the Wales interim head coach] and my responsibility was to help the team prepare. It was an alien feeling, I had sleepless nights as I did some soul-searching but one I learned a lot from. I am ready to go this weekend and keep hold of the 12 jersey.”
Roberts has played in Tests for the Lions on their past two tours and knows there will be no hat-trick unless he retains his place in the Wales team. He has been a core part of Wales’s gameplan this decade, running straight and hard, and tackling harder, but as Test rugby speeds up so multitasking becomes desirable.
“It was important not to overthink the reasons for my performance against Australia,” he said. “By nature I am a thinker but it’s professional sport and you move on. I’ve been playing well enough for Harlequins this season. This week is not about redemption, which would be selfish, but an opportunity to show that what happened was an anomaly. It is about Wales winning and playing my part in that.
“I wouldn’t say [I’m] unfairly bracketed in terms of style: it is what I do and it hasn’t served me too badly in the game. I’m working on my weaknesses and different parts of the game. But what are the strengths that I have traditionally brought to this team? That’s been the nature of my thinking since Australia. People can write what they like.”
Asked if he felt being dropped could have a positive effect on his career, he replied: “I’d like to think so. Things happen that give you an extra bit of motivation. The Lions is not a factor for me, Wales is my driving force. The Lions will be there at the end of the season. I have always thought that selection for Tests and tours takes care of itself if you are doing the right things.”
While Roberts will be winning his 85th Wales cap, the 18-year-old wing Keelan Giles hopes to make his Test debut from the bench. “I can’t remember a guy as evasive as Keelan since Shane Williams,” Roberts said. “We’ve had a drill in training when we’ve put up one on one with Keelan and it’s been quite embarrassing. He’s a frightening prospect and I hope he gets a chance to come on. His pace is frightening and he is very agile. He has got his head screwed and he has the potential to cause carnage.”
Wales have opted for a mix of experience and potential against opponents who defeated them in Tokyo three years ago when they were without 16 Lions. Five of the Japan lineup started last year’s World Cup win over South Africa.
“I’m a realist and I know it’ll be difficult but we’ve got a couple of plans and I think we can create some pressure,” said Jamie Joseph, who succeeded Eddie Jones as the coach of Japan. “If we’re able to do that the boys will score some tries: people do some funny things under pressure. Ideally we’ll play an expansive game.”
