To begin at the beginning
Last week I went home, when I Say home, I mean Wales, West Wales to be precise.
I thought a visit to the home of Dylan Thomas would inspire me to produce some wonderful poetic articles , sadly none of the great writers magic appears to have rubbed off.
In Laugharne, where a wi-fi signal is as rare as rocking horse droppings, I woke up to misty mornings, where the only sounds were the cry of the curlew and the swift, swooping over the foreshore, as the hills, shrouded in a thin layer of mist welcomed the morning sun
This was my World Cup training camp, fuelled by latte’s and chips, my cryotherapy regime consisted of chilling my Sauvignon blanc to a temperature well below freezing.
Healthy dietary intake proved almost impossible in my training camp by the “sloeblack ,slow black, crow black, fishing-boat bobbing sea”
As a result, the quest for salad items ironically proved to be the fitness boost my ageing body desperately required.
The adrenalin fuelled walks to the Spar shop, at the crack of dawn, in an attempt to get to the single lettuce, that daily appeared on the shelves, was a cardio vascular workout of immense proportions
Whilst in the land of my fathers , the quest for 2015 Rugby World Cup began.
Wales, or a team that wore Welsh shirts lost to Ireland, their performance was dismal and as a result the whole squad were forced to travel to North Wales by Arriva trains on the following Monday, a rather harsh punishment in my opinion

Forget Dohar and Switzerland, the mental strength needed for this ordeal cannot even be measured.
I can only imagine that every plastic coated piece of fruit cake and every cup of Nescafé Rocky Mountain granulated coffee was consumed, no protein shake can replicate the effect those products have on an athletes body

I think the squad arrived in North Wales on the Thursday but don’t quote me on that.
As Wales prepare for further warm up matches in Dublin and Cardiff, my training camp is over and I have returned to England in readiness for the tournament.

So as the Rugby World Cup beckons will Wales go gently out of Pool A or will they rage rage against the dying of qualification against England and Australia and reach the promised land of the quarter final stages.
It would be poetic justice, after 2011, if they did just that, and More.

  
By 1974 I had seen almost every rugby playing nation, in the flesh, apart from one exception, and a very major exception at that !

South Africa, and Springbok rugby had been shunned by the world due to their government’s policy of apartheid, hence the Springboks had not played in Wales, or the UK since 1970, a period of some twenty-four years.

In 1970,Gareth Edwards slid over in the Cardiff mud to give Wales a 6-6 draw with South Africa, Wales had played the Boks 7 times, lost 6 and drawn 1, not a great record, and that was the last we saw of them on these shores.

As a child in Wales, the South African team were thought of as huge brutal men, playing rugby on the high veld, on bone-hard pitches and battering everyone in sight, the only team that could possibly match them were the All Blacks, and a match between those two sides was always regarded as the World championship decider, akin to Ali and Frazier.

I had seen grainy footage, and press reports of Oke Geffin, Dawie De Villiers, Jan Ellis, Avril Malan, Syd Nomis etc etc, and had caught some footage of Naas Botha playing in the cape but I had a burning desire to see one of the greatest rugby nations in the world with my own eyes.

So for me the twenty-four year wait, on top of a lifetime of tales passed on by uncles just made the men in green take on an even more mystical air, and my anticipation was at fever pitch.

So, at Cardifff Arms Park on 26 November 1994, a somewhat unknown, to me anyway !, South African team took the field to a standing ovation, little did we know that the following year, the bulk of this side would lift the Rugby World Cup, and their names etched in rugby history, and indeed social and world history for ever.

On that dark November day, my world was lit up by a young 26-year-old  from Transvaal, Francois Pienaar, leading out the bottle green jerseys with the gold Springbok on the left breast glinting in the murky Cardiff gloom.

Now I have cried at many rugby matches, the tears I have shed for Wales are immeasurable, but this time I cried for South Africa and the realisation of a dream.

Wales sent in to a 12-0 lead, through four Neil Jenkins penalties, and actually led 12-10 as the match entered its final quarter, but in the end tries by Strauli, Joubert and Chester Williams, along with Hennie Le Roux’s conversion and penalty, gave South Africa a 20-12 win.

As I look at the match programme, in front of me now as I write, I see a team of men, of whom so many individual stories,of heartbreak, and joy were to be revealed as the years unfolded.

Images of Francois Pienaar, who I was lucky to meet many years later, and Nelson Mandela at RWC 1995  will forever be part of twentieth century history.

  
Unfortunately sad tales also ensued, with Ruben Kruger being taken from us far too early, and the courageous, inspiring, and yet heartbreaking sight, of Joost Van der Westhuizen battling with motor neurone disease even as I write this article.

I have seen many more Wales v South Africa clashes since that day, including one at Wembley stadium, whilst the Millennium Stadium was being built in 1998, and the great names have continued, Andrews, Botha, Matfield, Smit, Burger, Teichman, Skinstad, Habana, Smith, and I could go on and on….and usually do !

So as the 2015 Rugby World Cup edges ever closer, I am looking forward to see how the current batch of Boks, perform on these shores, and as I watch, I will pay homage to that very special day in Cardiff thirty one years ago.

 It was a damp dark November day in 1972 , the River Taff shrouded in mist as I made my way into the South enclosure at, what was then officially entitled, The National Stadium Cardiff Arms Park.

I was fourteen , and was brought up on the folklore and legend of these huge men from the land of the long white cloud, Gallagher, Tremain, Clarke, Lochore, Meads these were all names that you uttered with a touch of reverence 

I went to the game with my Uncle Haulwyn , an ex Trimsaran blacksmith, and my cousins Stephen and Monica, sadly as I write only Stephen is still with us, but on that day we were all united in our excitement to watch a Cardiff side face New Zealand.

Two British Lions who had won the test series against the All Blacks the previous year were in the Cardiff side, Gareth Edwards and left wing John Bevan

The All Blacks had lost to Llanelli four days earlier so were not a happy bunch , and they were determined to win against Cardiff by fair means or foul, and I can tell you there was an awful lot of foul !

  
New Zealand had the big guns out for this game, captain Ian Kirkpatrick led a team consisting of legends such as Sid Going, Bryan Williams, Grant Batty, Joe Karam and Keith Murdoch, who went on to become infamous for punching a Security guard after Wales played New Zealand later that month.

 
Murdoch was sent home from the tour in disgrace, and mysteriously disappeared for quite some time.

Now you may find it hard to believe but on that tour the All Blacks refused to perform the Haka, until the final match against the Barbarians, when they looked more like village people than a group of battle ready warriors (Try to find it on You Tube and you will see what I mean)

 As for the match itself well I have seen world heavyweight boxing matches with less punches thrown

My cousin and a I were right at the front of the old South enclosure peering through the white railings close enough to touch the players it seemed, and we learnt a lot of new words that particular day, most of which were Anglo Saxon .

Some rugby broke out between the fighting, and The All Blacks  scored three tries through Ian Kirkpartick, Grant Batty and Mark Sayers, with Joe Karam landing two penalties and a conversion
Gareth Edwards scored a try for Cardiff and received an All Black punch for good measure so, the final score :

Cardiff 4 New Zealand 20

But for me it was sheer magic, I had seen Gareth and the All Blacks in the flesh and at Cardiff Arms Park, Christmas had arrived a month early.

  
It’s getting nearer ! The tickets are arriving, and in some cases, actually being delivered to the correct address.
Attitude is now displaced by altitude,  as all the leading teams discover there ain’t no mountain high enough to keep them from World Cup glory ,as the training takes on planning  of D-Day  proportions to ensure maximum fitness come September

Parents wake up in a cold sweat as yet another team shirt is released at a price that would have bought you a Vauxhall Nova at the first rugby World Cup

Prince’s (Harry) and Kings (Johnny) launch tours where thousands are turning up just to look, touch or have a selfie with the Rugby World Cup trophy itself.

Is it really four years since New Zealand 2011 ? I haven’t quite recovered from losing to Fiji in RWC 2007 , yet alone even make a start at beginning to cope with Sam getting sent off in the semi final against France in 2011

We are now only 64 days from having to take on memories to last us till Japan 2019,  isn’t it time Welsh fans were given a four year sabbatical from the sleepless nights and misery that have followed us since 1987 ?

The only way to ensure that blissful state is to win the thing !

Ok I hear you… But tread softly, you are walking on my dreams

Godparents are supposed to look after your moral and spiritual welfare, to nurture and support you, particularly in your formative years.

One of my godparents, Uncle Doug, exceeded his remit with one single action.

The day of this momentous life changing moment was on a mild winters day in January 1973

I was fourteen at the time and,  in that dreadful stage of youth when acne arrives, and the boy soprano voice disappears for good.

Back to the day in question, what could possibly happen to a young boy out for the day with his uncle that would change his life, for the good, forever.?

In fairness it wasn’t just my uncle that created this metamorphosis he had help from a few others… Gareth, Phil, Tom, JPR, Willie-John … Ah you may have guessed !

Yes, The Godfather took me to Cardiff Arms Park , whose name  I miss greatly,

National and Millenium Stadiums leave me cold , but even just writing down those three words ….CARDIFF ARMS PARK fills your mind with memories and emotions and a historical legacy that no other “venue title” can.

We were stood in the North Enclosure, and like everyone else we had no idea that we were about to witness the greatest rugby match ever to be played

We were level with Phil Bennett when he started the move that resulted in the “try of the century”  All Blacks were left strewn on the turf as Phil, like a matador, enticed them towards him and with a flick of the hips and a step he was gone….ole!

It was like a shop window to the greats of world rugby, JPR Williams, socks rolled down paraded up and down in front of us, guarding his try line, Tom David hitting everything that moved, but mostly Grant Batty on that particular day

The cultural centre partnership of legends John Dawes and Mike Gibson  complemented by the sheer raw power of the barn storming left wing John Bevan

Directly below us we were feted by David Duckham, long blonde hair billowing in the breeze like a Viking warrior as he side stepped and swerved like we had never seen him In an England shirt, the crowd took him to their hearts that day, so much so that after that magical day he was also affectionately known in Wales as “Dai Duckham”

In fact when he penned his autobiography some years later, he entitled it “Dai For England”

The match has been well documented elsewhere and by more worthy correspondents than me, but I can still recall moments so vividly that it could have taken place yesterday, and not forty two years ago.

Needless to say I never recovered from this day, and since then I have been to literally hundreds of matches, both at home and abroad , yet that January day in 1973 with my godfather shines like a beacon

As godparents go, Doug , you were a pretty good choice.

 
I have just returned from two days of glorious weather and glorious rugby at the Twickenham Stoop.

This was my first media mission covering women’s rugby and it was an absolute joy

The skill levels were superb and some of the bone crunching tackling would have made some international male counterparts wince

Emily Scarratt of England and Portia Woodman of New Zealand pictured below looked class acts on day one in everything they did

   
The amazing scenes on day one as Spain beat the All Blacks was something I will never forget

It is not my intention to detail the tournament scores and winners in this article, but to attempt to make people aware, that if they haven’t watched women’s rugby, than you my friends are really missing out   

My only criticism is the mad cap idea to stage the Cup and plate finals across the road in Twickenham

This would have been absolutely wonderful had it taken place in front of the 80000 fans already in situ for the men’s tournament, but to schedule the games for the end of the day when everyone was leaving was a real no brainer

Tickets priced at £10 made this un missable hopefully next year there will be more spectators I for one don’t intend to miss it 

The group of death at RWC 2015 just got deadlier, with news that Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau will now be eligible for the national side, and there is more to come.

The Australian Rugby Union today announced changes to its Player Contracting Policy by allowing an elite group of overseas-based players to be eligible for Qantas Wallabies selection.

Effective immediately, overseas-based players will now be eligible for Qantas Wallabies selection if they have played more than 60 Tests for Australia and have held a professional contract with Australian Rugby for at least seven years.

The adjustment to the policy was approved by the ARU Board and endorsed by Super Rugby CEO’s on Monday 20 April 2015.

Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver said the policy amendment was an important strategic decision made in the best interests of the code.

“This is a pivotal moment for Rugby in Australia, where for the first time in its professional history, the ARU will allow overseas-based players who have made a significant contribution to Australian Rugby to become eligible for the Qantas Wallabies,” Mr Pulver said.

“It’s a decision that recognises the changing dynamics of a global Rugby market for professional players. Combined with our other recruitment and retention strategies, we feel this decision allows the ARU to assert more influence over player movement and contracting in Australia and abroad.”

Mr Pulver said the policy would provide short and long-term benefits to Australian Rugby and its players.

“Those players who satisfy the 60-game and seven-year threshold have already invested heavily and contributed considerably to Australian Rugby over a long period of time,” he said.

“The policy also encourages those players who have not yet reached that point to commit exclusively to Australian Rugby in the prime of their career. In this way, we believe the policy supports Super Rugby by encouraging our top players to remain in Australia for longer.

“It also means we can invest more money into our younger players in the long-term, while ensuring our most experienced players leaving for overseas can still contribute to the overall success of the code in Australia – on and off the field.”

Under the revised Policy, players returning to Australia from overseas who make a two-year commitment to an Australian Super Rugby Club will also be eligible to represent the Qantas Wallabies immediately upon their return.

Bill Pulver added, “We believe having the option to select overseas-based players to represent the Qantas Wallabies, provided that they have made a commitment to return to Australian Rugby, will encourage the repatriation of Australians currently playing in foreign competitions and increase the pool of talent available to Australian Super Rugby teams and the Qantas Wallabies.”

Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said greater competition for positions would inevitably lead to a stronger national team.

“It’s important to first and foremost recognise those players who are currently making a daily contribution to Rugby in Australia, but at the same time not discount those elite-level and experienced Test players who have already invested so much into the code over a long period,” Cheika said.

“From speaking with many of them, I know they still have a huge desire to represent Australia, and would do so to the very best of their abilities if ever called upon once again.

“In the end, we want the best players being rewarded for playing the majority of their career in Australia, and this is an important step to the future growth and success of the Wallabies.”

   
Why wasn’t there a world cup in the 1970’s there’s no doubt we would have won it at least once.

JPR, Gerald, Merv, Gareth, Syd, Ray, JJ, Benny, The King,now they would have produced the goods.

Sadly I see Wales and the Rugby World Cup as a four yearly emotional Everest where sometimes we never get past base camp, and occasionally turn up in inappropriate footwear and a t-shirt.

I wont drag you through my personal turmoil since the first tournament in 1987, but actually the inaugural tournament went quite well.

Apart from an absolute thrashing by the All Blacks in the semi final, we actually finished 3rd, beating Ireland in the group stages, England in the Quarters, and Australia in the 3rd place play-off, but in true Wales style it was a last-minute conversion from the touch-line that won the match, wouldn’t do to win a match comfortably would it ?

Since then its been sadness in South Africa, Woe in Wales, Agony in Australia and Fiji in France. AND you only have to say Sam.. and you immediately think red card, Numbness in New Zealand

I still relive that match thinking if Leigh Halfpenny had been our regular goal kicker at that time we would have got through to the final.

And here we are again in 2015, hoping for Ecstasy in England, (I can’t think of any bad word beginning with E, so maybe its a portent).

A part of me is excited beyond belief that we are playing England and Australia, but then I’m already looking ahead with panic at a potential situation where we have to beat Australia in the final group match to qualify for the knock out stages.

Maybe as part of our national psyche the sporting gods sprinkle on our sport all consuming emotions either good or bad, because that’s the way we really like it.

This time, please can we do it, and can we do it without the gut wrenching agony ?

If there was Karma in sport, then after the semi final in 2011, it is assured that we will be playing in the final, at Twickenham, against the All Blacks on Saturday 31 October.

If it happens send me a tweet, I will probably be behind the sofa !

With 79mins on the clock, at Twickenham, the last-minute, of the last match, on the last day of the 2015 RBS 6 Nations championship, we still did not know who had won the title.

As we arise this morning, exhausted from the emotional turmoil of yesterday, the aches and pains from seven hours on the sofa are raging, the indigestion from the lattes and macaroons that got me through the day have subsided.

If the scenario that unfolded yesterday had been written by an author of fiction they could have not made it any more unbelievable.

As the clock hit 80 in the England v France game, the title was finally decided, Ireland were the champions.

As the suited men from the emerald isle collected the trophy and medals in a dark Murrayfield, we all drew a collective breath after probably the best day of rugby I have ever been privileged to witness.

It all started in Rome, Wales struggling to 14-13 half time lead, before igniting in the second half.

Leaping up from the sofa three times in ten minutes for George North’s hat trick put immeasurable strain on my glutes and hamstrings, 7 tries in twenty-four minutes, I have now have thighs like Jonah Lomu.

A 61-20 win, and I had mentally already ordered my WRU champions T-shirt.

Five minutes into the Scotland v Ireland match, Paul O’Connell thundered over and the writing was on the Wall.

A woeful Scotland were hammered 40-10 and the T-shirt was history, so it was Ireland’s title unless England beat France by 26 points.

Another dramatic start at Twickenham, Ben Youngs scoring in the opening minutes,

But, France came back showing glimpses of back play, a rarity these days, a 53-35 win to England, and I was getting serious cramp having been sofa bound since midday.

This morning it all seems like a dream, has there ever been a day of rugby like it ?

The record books took a pounding

221 points and 27 tries

Wales biggest ever win over Italy

Ireland biggest ever win over Scotland

England’s highest score against France

France highest ever score at Twickenham

The greatest rugby tournament in the world…. probably ?

So we’re here already, the last weekend of the RBS 6 Nations 2015 is only a day and a half away, I guess the things you look forward to the most, are the things that pass by the quickest.

It only seems a blink of an eye since christmas was in its final throes, and there was the mouth-watering prospect of an opening night Wales v England fixture to look forward to, in Cardiff.

As a Welshman the past six weeks have brought about the usual roller coaster of emotions, that are a pre-requisite supporting the men in red.

We have gone through the despair of Cardiff, the relief of Murrayfield, the joys of Paris, and the utter unadulterated ecstasy of Beating Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.

I know I am getting old, because each tournament passes by more and more quickly as each year comes and goes.

Next week we will all be feeling that dreadful post 6 Nations emptiness, thank goodness we have the Rugby World Cup to look forward to.

Every tournament leaves each of us with a memory to treasure, downloaded into the memory bank to go with all the others from years past.

Whether it be the Jonathan Davies hand off against Ireland’s Johnny Sexton

Jonathan Joseph’s try against Wales

Or Basteraud and Sexton’s head to head in Dublin

And there are many many more memories, games won and lost, friendships made which will last a lifetime, and the hope that we will all be spared to do it all again next year.

So enjoy the tension and uncertainty of the final Saturday of this wonderful tournament, and really there is only one winner, this wonderful game that we all love