How did you get into Rugby Aid?
I was approached a few months back, I had retired from rugby, I was told the concept of Rugby Aid
being the Charity for Heroes, I was told where we’d be playing and the players that they were getting
involved. It was really a no-brainer. It was an excuse to put my boots on again and hopefully play in front
of a big crowd. Obviously, it’s for charity so it goes without saying.
How you feeling out there, blowing a bit hard?
I like to think I keep myself relatively fit. Match fitness is completely different so I’m sure I will be
blowing hard out there. It’s good to be back playing with some of the guys I used to play with and
against and share some stories over the years so it’s good to be back
Now to the World Cup, do Wales have a genuine chance to lift Bill in a couple of months?
I certainly hope so. It’s such an open world cup, probably more open than it’s ever been, I think the
Northern Hemisphere teams will really be chomping at the bit this time because it’s being played in the
Northern Hemisphere. I think they’ve closed the gap on the likes of New Zealand, South Africa and
Australia and it’s going to be more contentious. Providing England and Wales can get through their
group, who knows what will happen. And as most of us all, I’m very looking forward to it.
Does Warren Gatland have a point that Wales are more settled than the English?
That’s Warren Gatland to a tee really, he loves those mind games, you have to love him for it. He will
always back his guys, he will always believe that his players have got the front foot and by saying that, it
gives the players confidence as well. I hope so, I think they’ve trained very well, they do have a good
squad, however
Have Wales prepared better than other countries?
I’m sure all the other nations have trained very well and certainly England and Australia have got a great
squad. It’s all to play for and you can do as much talking as you want and Warren knows that. It’s about
producing the goods on the field. Wales certainly did that on Saturday against Ireland and they’re going
to have to replicate that against England, Australia and Fiji who you definitely can’t write off.
Is it make or break for Gatland?
It’s make or break for everyone I think. It is a tough group and it’s a group that with any little slip up, you
won’t make out of and he knows that. It’s make or break for himself and all the players. There’s a lot
riding on this world cup, not only for Warren but for Lancaster and Cheika. These are the teams that
should be successful in World Cups and if you don’t make it out of the group stage, all the fingers will be
pointing at you.
A bit of a contentious call between Gareth Anscombe and Matthew Morgan, has Gatland made the
right decision?
I played against him and alongside him and attacking wise he’s one of the best I’ve played with. He’s got
such great feet; he’s a gutsy player and enjoys taking guys on and sometimes that’s the difference
between winning and losing these games. It’s going to be very difficult for him to overtake guys like
Williams and Halfpenny at the back but for games that you want tries scored in, there’s no better player
to have on the field and in the team.
Is there a lot of pressure on Leigh Halfpenny with Liam Williams not yet 100% fit?
Players like Leigh and Liam always put pressure on themselves to play well and be successful and Leigh’s
not a guy who lets complacency set in, he knows Liam is on his heels. Personally I’d love to see them in
the same team. They’re both great players that you want to see fit and playing for Wales because both
of them are deadly.
Are you a future Wales coach?
Maybe, one day…
