Jones will lead his country out for a record-breaking 29th time against Samoa this evening as Wales look to bounce back in style at the Millennium Stadium.
The 31-year-old has experienced a roller coaster career in the Welsh jersey, winning 67 caps and three Grand Slams but also tasting a number of heartbreaking defeats along the way.
All those experiences, both good and bad, have shaped the veteran back rower into the player he is today and he knows that the way in which the next generation of Welsh stars deal with the disappointment of defeat to the Pumas will have a big bearing on their own international careers.
“There are young players in this squad with well over 20 caps to their name already, but they have come in an 18-month period when everything has been flying for Welsh rugby,” said Jones, who takes over the captain’s armband from Sam Warburton after Justin Tipuric and Toby Faletau were named alongside him in the back row.
“But that’s not a true reflection of international sport. You judge a man by how he reacts to adversity. That’s what my dad always told me.
“These players are going to go on to wonderful careers and lots more fantastic highs with Wales, but you have to learn to cope with and deal with these setbacks.
“There was a fair bit of criticism levelled at some of them, but that’s part and parcel of professional sport. Argentina was a disappointment that these players have to put to one side. Samoa is an opportunity for those in possession of the jersey to make amends.
“You don’t become a bad player overnight. It was just a blip. Coming out the other side of this makes you a better player and a better person and that’s what I’ve been impressed with this week.
“The players turned up on Monday morning, took it on the chin and have worked hard in training this week. The reward for that would be a big performance and a good result against Samoa.”
