Stephens on target

Bridgend lock Chris Stephens will reach the pre-season goal set by his club coach John Phillips when he runs out for Wales A against the fearsome All Blacks at Sardis Road next month.

When Phillips arrived from Hawks Bay in the summer to take over at the Brewery Field he set the 22-year-old Stephens a target of playing against New Zealand on their winter tour of the principality.

"Chris was the very first player in the Bridgend squad that I met and I took an instant liking to the guy,' said Phillips, who made almost 100 appearances on the flank for Kiwi provincial giants Canterbury.

"We sat down and talked about what he wanted to achieve in the game and set a goal to play against the All Blacks this year.

"I'm absolutely thrilled that, barring any injuries, he will achieve just that and there's no question that he deserves it.

"Chris is the type of player that coaches enjoy working with because he is always willing to listen, learn and then drive himself into the ground to improve his game,' added Phillips.

"Stephens has become a firm favourite with the Brewery Field faithful since moving down the Llynfi valley from Maesteg and he will not have to look far for any advice when he pulls on that coveted red jersey."

Packing down alongside him in the engineroom will be skipper Garreth Llewellyn, the Harlequins line-out beacon who has won more than 50 full caps.

Phillips believes that Stephens will be the first of many promising youngsters emerging at Bridgend who will gain international recognition.

"We have one of the youngest and most exciting squads in Welsh rugby and hopefully seeing Chris gain selection for Wales A will act as an incentive for them," he said.

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