Josh Adams helped create Welsh rugby history in the left corner of a pitch in Bloemfontein four years ago, now the wing hopes to do the same for Cardiff in Cape Town.
The Blue and Blacks play their first play-off fixture when taking on Stormers in the quarter-finals of the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Saturday (14:30 BST).
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They are underdogs, but the same was the case for Wales in the second Test of their summer series against South Africa in 2022.
Wayne Pivac’s men became the first Welsh side to beat the Springboks on home soil thanks to Adams’ try in the corner in the 78th minute and Gareth Anscombe’s expert conversion.
“I’ve been lucky enough to win things with Wales and that is really special,” said the 70-times capped wing, who helped his country to a 2019 Grand Slam and 2021 Six Nations title.
“But speak to players and when they win domestic trophies or achieve really good things with their club it feels different because they are there 80% of the year.
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“To achieve a quarter-final victory with Cardiff would be right up there with some really big achievements.”
Adams, who faced the Springboks with the Lions in 2021, played in England’s Premiership for three seasons with Worcester and this is his seventh campaign at Cardiff.
Tomorrow will be his first taste of play-off rugby as Corniel van Zyl’s side attempt to repeat their Arms Park victory against their hosts that sealed sixth place.
Adams beat Stormers in Cape Town with the Lions, but knows the Blue and Blacks must be at their best if they are to win in South Africa for the first time since beating Sharks in 2024.
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“There are a lot of things that need to go your way, and you need a bit of luck on your side,” he said.
“With South African teams, especially at home, the physicality that they bring along with the emotion of the occasion really sets the tone.
“It takes a squad effort from 1 to 23. Having good quality on the bench is really important if you want to win games out here.
“It’s going to take a bigger effort than in Cardiff. We understand Stormers are very, very good at home.”
Cardiff have won two of 10 URC trips to South Africa, both against Sharks in Durban.
Getting more explosive with Cardiff
Josh Adams signed for Cardiff from Worcester in 2019 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
Adams returns to the Cardiff starting line-up after a frustrating spell on the sidelines with a neck spasm and pair of concussions, the first in training and second against Glasgow in round 17.
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Those injuries came after the wing looked back to his best during the Six Nations when playing every minute and scoring two tries.
Scrum-half Tomos Williams is the only back in Wales’ summer squad who is older than 31-year-old Adams, but age has not affected his eye for the line.
He is quick to point to the influence of the strength and conditioning team at Cardiff, and especially James Nolan’s work with the backs.
“He has made a massive different to how I feel and move. He has been massive in keeping me healthy and sharp,” said Adams, who signed a contract extension in April.
“You probably have to do the extra bits more as you get older, but around five or six weeks ago we looked through different stats.
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“We do a lot of speed gate timing, movement, power and explosive stuff. I am miles better now than I ever have been.
“It goes to show that it doesn’t matter where you are in your career, you can still get better when you buy into something.”
Adams will hope to show that acceleration if he gets another late try-scoring chance in a South African corner almost four years after one of Wales’ finest hours.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
