Wales wing Josh Adams is absolutely desperate to play in his third World Cup, but the 31-year-old is coming off a calf injury that kept him out of Cardiff’s season opener and has everyone wondering if he’ll be 100% when it counts for Wales. Next year’s tournament in Australia, kicking off exactly a year from now on October 2 against Zimbabwe in Adelaide, is a massive goal for Adams, who’s never even been to Australia. He’s got his sights set on further pool games against Tonga and England, too, but getting there healthy is the real challenge.
The Triple Crown Quest and Past Glory
Adams isn’t just some guy on the squad; he’s a proven World Cup beast. Remember 2019 in Japan? The dude was the World Cup’s top try scorer, crossing the line seven times as Wales powered their way to the semi-finals. Talk about clutch! He was also part of the squad that battled in a quarter-final against Argentina four years later. So yeah, the man knows what a global tournament feels like, and he’s not just showing up for the pictures. He means business. “I’m desperate to go, but there is loads of rugby to be played and months ahead of us,” Adams said, looking forward. “It is important that you navigate your way through correctly and get to that start line in a good spot to be selected.” You gotta respect that hunger for a hat-trick of appearances on the biggest stage.
The Calf Injury That Changes Everything Right Now
That hunger is a good thing, because Adams is battling back from a calf injury that took him out of Wales’ brutal 43-0 defeat by South Africa in Durban back in July. He’s missed the start of Cardiff’s season, which is no small thing, and everyone’s holding their breath for his return. The good news? He expects to be fit for international duty next month and a club return is on the cards for October. Adams is back in training, but he’s not rushing it. “I am training, but it’s important that you navigate your way through correctly and there’s no rush,” he told us. “I had the calf injury in the summer, but I’ve been good for a while. It’s making sure that when I’m playing, I’m 100% fit and healthy, and I’ve had good preparation time.” You can’t blame him for wanting to be absolutely ready.
The Road to Australia Starts Now
Wales is kicking off their World Cup countdown with a seriously tough slate of four matches in the second half of the Nations Championship in November. They’re facing Japan, New Zealand, and Australia right there in Cardiff, before a final play-off match at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham. These aren’t tune-ups, these are tests. Adams needs to prove he’s not just “good for a while” but fully match-fit and ready to dominate against top-tier competition. His selection for that third World Cup will hinge on how he navigates these crucial months. Everyone’s eyes are on Adams as he aims for that November international return. Can he shake off the rust and get back to his try-scoring best? The Emerald Isle needs him ready to roll.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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