Like Warren, I Dare To Dream Despite Injuries
The Rugby Paper|October 27, 2019
FOR the neutral rugby fan it’s a great shame this morning’s World Cup semi-final between Wales and South Africa has been robbed of two big entertainers in Liam Williams and Cheslin Kolbe.
Like Warren, I Dare To Dream Despite Injuries

Injury is a cruel twist of fate for any player at any point, but for it to strike at the last-four stage is particularly nasty. I really feel for Liam because he was also ruled out of the 2015 tournament by injury and he’s been one of Wales’ best players over the last two years. I wish him a quick recovery.

For every Wales supporter gutted by Liam’s absence, it will be the same for the South Africans who will miss Kolbe terribly. I absolutely love him – mainly because he reminds me of... me!

You don’t see many fast, small wingers these days. They’re an underrated option! Kolbe, like me, is about eight stone soaking wet yet he’s one of the most exciting backline operators on the planet.

When he was ruled out with an ankle injury I thought to myself that it was a huge boost for Wales and a big blow to the Springboks in terms of their attacking threat being hindered.

That was then balanced out by Liam also falling lame – ironically with the same problem suffered in training. Those sorts of incidents are freak injuries. If they happen to you, you have to curse your luck. Even without Liam I’ve full belief Wales can beat South Africa to make a first World Cup final.

If they do it will be a remarkable achievement. The whole country will be pumped this morning.

I’ve been inside both the Wales and South Africa camps this week and it’s been fascinating.

When Liam and Josh Navidi were ruled out of the semi-final due to injury and there were big doubts over Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies, the mood was dark among those of a Welsh persuasion.

People were doubting if Wales had a sniff of a chance. Warren Gatland changed all that with a masterful Press conference. It was Gats at his sublime best. It was absolute magic.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 27, 2019 من The Rugby Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 27, 2019 من The Rugby Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE RUGBY PAPER مشاهدة الكل
England can find a little bit of cheer
The Rugby Paper

England can find a little bit of cheer

SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
The Rugby Paper

Stop messing with Marcus - Campese

DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
The Rugby Paper

Being a Lion was the highlight of my career

I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
The Rugby Paper

Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half

THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
The Rugby Paper

Forwards pack a punch for the Reds

OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
The Rugby Paper

Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley

SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
The Rugby Paper

Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon

FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 24, 2024
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
The Rugby Paper

It's a whole new ball game for Rigg

WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt leads the way for Lightning

LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
The Rugby Paper

Becconsall: We need to release pressure

WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024