Jones has taken a circuitous route to the Wales team

"The thrill of getting on the field was amazing," said Jones, 29, who replaced Iestyn Thomas for the final 10 minutes.

"The call came down to the bench and I had a burst of adrenaline. I didn't want to warm up - it feels like I've been doing that for the last 10 years!

"I always hoped and believed that my chance would come. I want to thank everyone who helped me to get here."

Interview: Ceri Jones

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The 6'1", 16st 7lb farmer's son from Usk took a circuitous route to the Welsh team.

Having progressed from Newport HSOB to Usk and then Newport, he found himself kept out of the first-team picture at Rodney Parade by Chris Anthony and foreign imports Adrian Garvey and Rod Snow.

The Australians were nervous about their ability at the scrum and we had the upper hand Ceri Jones

He impressed enough in an emergency loan spell at Harlequins in 2003 to earn a permanent contract at the London side, where he has been a regular ever since.

Although he prefers to play loose-head, Jones can also do a job at tight-head, increasing his value to the squad.

He caught the eye of Gareth Jenkins when the Wales coach watched Quins to assess the form of Wales three-quarter Haldane Luscombe.

Should Jones get another chance in Saturday's second Test in Brisbane, he feels that he will have the beating of the Wallabies in the scrum.

"I was only on for about three or four scrums in Sydney, but you could tell that the Australians were nervous about their ability there and we had the upper hand," Jones told BBC Sport Wales.