A Welsh & World Rugby Legend
My 6 year old has been watching rugby on TV in recent months, mainly due to the world cup. As a former player, I have not been one to actively encourage him as I spent more time in hospital than on the pitch, so my memories of the great game are mixed. Yet, it has been fascinating to see our eldest pick up inspitation from watching Shane Williams play. His reaction is probably more down to our reaction when watching him side-step and put the 'after-burners' on, but even in that context, it shows how such a special rugby talent can benefit the game-by inspiring others to play and yes, play the 'Welsh way'.
The 'Welsh way' is a bit of a naff phrase to me, but I do wonder sometimes if talented English players are discouraged from expressing themselves on the pitch (unlike my experience in Wales), for they should be doing so much better than they are, with their money and player base. As for Shane Williams, well all I can say of him is at times, he reminds me so much of Gerald Davies at his best. Now, you can't pay a bigger compliment than that. Diolch Shane. You have been an inspiration to a whole new generation of Welsh players.
I can just about remember a little of Gerald Davies. Was he as quick as Shane Williams? I can remember Gerald Davies in Cardigan in 1976. I was around 10 at the time. I visited him in a little stall. Can't remember what it was.....maybe a WRU stall? Anyway, I can remember how nice he was towards me. I've never met him since.
ReplyDeleteYou should definately get some DVD's of him playing for Wales and the Lions. At times, defences not only failed to stop him, but could not even touch him. He pivoted at a pace that would make any mortal fall flat on their face, which is what defences generally did when they tried to tackle him. Such players are priceless and Shane is one of them-a real gem. Mind you, they are bloody annoying to play against!
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile in the world that really matters little boys in the BRIC nations want to be engineers. Says it all really
ReplyDeleteI wanted to play for Wales, but ended up as an Engineer. Make of that what you will.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite picture of Shane shows him walking off the pitch smiling at his son & daughter.
ReplyDeleteWhat is also interesting Ian is that about 30% of engineering undergraduates studying engineering are overseas students. Shane's retirement match was intersting in that it showed that Welsh rugby still has a long way to go. But except on a personal level for the individual concerned it wasn't that important. Keir Hardie used to write before the First World War in despair at the way in which interest in football seemed to blind the working class when it came to the really important issues. I wonder what he would think today if he returned to Wales and read the nonsense often written about Welsh rugby?
ReplyDeleteWhat a misery guts Jeff is!
ReplyDeleteShane made rugby fun again - not just to watch, but he made it look fun to play, and I'm sure we have him to thank for the talented wave of youngsters coming through the ranks at the moment! I know George North was inspired to choose Rugby over Football by watching Shane, and so too, I'm sure, were many others.