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Phillips turning the screw

Mike Phillips: 'It's frustrating being on the bench'

Mike Phillips insisted he will not settle for being Wales' second-choice scrum-half after a man-of-the-match performance in Thursday's 72-18 victory over Japan.

Phillips was told before the World Cup began that he would be considered as back-up to Dwayne Peel and he is growing frustrated at sitting on the bench.

The Pool B clash against the Cherry Blossoms was Phillips' first start since Peel missed the June tour of Australia and he was determined to issue a stern reminder of what he can offer to coach Gareth Jenkins.

Phillips started slowly but grew into the game and a purple patch shortly after half-time saw him score one try and brilliantly create another for winger Shane Williams.

Phillips was disappointed to be replaced by Gareth Cooper after just 57 minutes but hopes to have done enough to stake a claim for the scrum-half jersey in next weekend's key Pool B clash with Fiji.

''It is frustrating being on the bench. I have spent a lot of time there lately,'' said Phillips.

''It is not very nice for someone to tell you that you are the number two. I worked really hard during the summer and I just told myself that if I get a chance I have got to prove to people I am good enough.

''I had expected to come off last night but I looked at the clock and it was a bit early. It was 10 minutes too soon but I think I made the most of it.

''There has got to be a chance I could play next week. Whatever decision he makes I have to go with and back him all the way.

''But it would be great to start, to have two on the bounce in the World Cup. I'd be delighted, thrilled and honoured.

''You play the game to play in the big games and test yourself against the best. That is the challenge we all face.''

Phillips, a tall and powerful scrum-half, has often been compared favourably with Welsh legend Terry Holmes and there are few number nines in world rugby to compare with his physique.

This summer Phillips agreed a bumper pay deal to move from Cardiff Blues to the Ospreys, he is just unfortunate to be competing with Peel for the same Wales jersey.

''It is great to have competition, Dwayne is British Lions number one and to compete against someone like that is great,'' said Phillips.

''If I overcome that I will get my credit. I am just striving to be number one all the way and hopefully things will happen for me.''

Phillips was making them happen after the interval yesterday as Wales accelerated away to victory.

He scored the first of seven second-half tries after latching onto a popped pass from Duncan Jones before creating the next with a piece of individual magic.

Phillips regathered his own delicate chip over the Japan defence before sending a long pass out of the tackle for Shane Williams to score. It was instinctive and brilliant.

''You don't really think about those things. It is off the cuff and it just happened,'' he said.

Wales are now essentially starting the knock-out stages of the World Cup starts one week early. They must beat Fiji in on September 29 to reach the quarter-finals.

Japan were determined if limited opponents but Wales refused to take their foot off the pedal and scored the last of their 11 tries, through Shane Williams, with the final play of the game.

Shane Williams and flanker Martyn Williams both scored twice and there were also tries from Alun-Wyn Jones, James Hook, Rhys Thomas, Kevin Morgan, Dafydd James and Gareth Cooper.

"It is important to keep on making strides and we wanted to put a big victory on Japan. We needed to put a big statement down because we haven't been playing well," said Phillips.

''It is crunch time now, every game is a big game and a must win. All the boys realise that. They are focusing big time on the next one and really nail down what we are going to do.''