The Wallabies front-row were involved in a tough tussle against the All Blacks last weekend, with their potent back three and devastating back-row receiving all the plaudits for an historic win in Hong Kong.
But Jones insists Australia’s front row still pose a distinct threat to the Welsh set-piece when the two sides meet in Cardiff tomorrow afternoon.
“I wouldn’t say their front row struggled,” said Jones, talking about Australia’s win over the All Blacks.
“New Zealand were on the front foot but they didn’t drill them or put them under too much pressure. It was only free kicks that Australia were giving away.
“Over the last couple of year’s they’ve put a lot of work into that department. The two Bens (Robinson and Alexander) are very good and have brought the scrum along, as well as Stephen Moore. I don’t think it’s a weakness for them anymore.
“There’s been a lot of talk about David Pocock but I think the rest of their pack are just as good. Nathan Sharpe is a very experienced player.
“But we want to secure our own ball comfortably and put as much pressure as we can on their ball. It’s a case of getting solid ball and disrupting theirs. You can still dominate a game, psychologically and physically impose yourself on the opposition during scrum-time.”
Jones believes the Welsh pack are reaching their best and have what it takes to silence the Wallabies back-row and starve their backs of ball at the Millennium Stadium.
The Ospreys prop is hoping that Warren Gatland’s chosen blend of youth and experience will see Wales gain revenge for last season’s disappointing 33-12 reverse to the same opposition.
“A lot of us have played together for years now. Boys like Bradley have come through, he has taken to it like a duck to water,” added Jones.
“We have a pretty big front five. Matthew Rees is big for a hooker, the two second row’s are big boys and then you’ve got Gethin Jenkins and we all now what he’s capable of.
“We’ve a lot of experience and that goes a long way. The two second-rows are quite young but are physically big and have the mental attitude of a seasoned campaigner.
“In the front row we’re getting on a bit and reaching our peak. If we can use the set-piece as an attacking platform then we will.
“Boys like Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones and Smiler (Rees) are big ball carriers but we are all comfortable with the ball in hand and if we need to move it we can move it. We’re big and even I’m mobile.”
Wales v Australia, Sat 6 Nov, KO 2.30pm
| Wales | Australia |
| 15 James Hook | 15. Kurtley Beale |
| 14 Will Harries | 14. James O’Connor |
| 13 Tom Shanklin | 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| 12 Andrew Bishop | 12. Matt Giteau |
| 11 Shane Williams | 11. Drew Mitchell |
| 10 Stephen Jones | 10. Quade Cooper |
| 9 Mike Phillips | 9. Will Genia |
| 8 Jonathan Thomas | 8. Ben McCalman |
| 7 Sam Warburton | 7. David Pocock |
| 6 Dan Lydiate | 6. Rocky Elsom (capt) |
| 5 Alun Wyn Jones | 5. Nathan Sharpe |
| 4 Bradley Davies | 4. Mark Chisholm |
| 3 Adam Jones | 3. Ben Alexander |
| 2 Matthew Rees (capt) | 2. Stephen Moore |
| 1 Gethin Jenkins | 1. Benn Robinson |
| Â | Â |
| Replacements | Reserves: |
| 16 Huw Bennett | 16. Saia Faingaa |
| 17 Paul James | 17. James Slipper |
| 18 Deiniol Jones | 18. Dean Mumm |
| 19 Martyn Williams | 19. Richard Brown |
| 20 Richie Rees | 20. Luke Burgess |
| 21 Dan Biggar | 21. Berrick Barnes |
| 22 Chris Czekaj | 22. Lachie Turner |
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