How to prove people wrong, by Shane Williams
The Welsh rugby legend reveals how he overcome adversity in his early career to become one of the greats
Words: Jonathan Wells
In his youth, Welsh record try scorer and former World Rugby Player of the Year Shane Williams was sold short — quite literally.
Growing up in the Valleys, Williams took up football when he was told he was too small to play competitive rugby. His first chance to prove people wrong came during a game for local rugby team Amman United, during which he scored five tries and won the team the game.
But, even as he made the national squad in 2000, there were those who still thought William’s stature posed a problem.
“It wasn’t just height, it was size,” says Williams. “I was enjoying being in the Welsh team, but when Steve Hansen became coach, he told me that I wasn’t physical enough.
“The problem is,” he adds, “that trying to put weight on to become a bigger player when you’re 5’6 has its drawbacks. So I became injured very regularly, lost my form and I was very disheartened for some time — I really considered retiring.”
Thankfully, the wing did not. Instead, he accumulated 87 appearances for his nation, was asked to join the British and Irish Lions four times, and was named IRB Player of the Year in 2008. But how did he overcome the odds?
“You can be just as successful if you get very anaerobically fit,” reveals Williams. “Just change your mindset and keep on running. And, as Graham Henry always used to tell me, ‘Always play and train with a smile on your face’.”
This article was taken from the ‘How to Win’ section of Gentleman’s Journal May/June Issue. Subscribe here to get the magazine delivered directly to your door…
With Rugby World Cup 2019 on the horizon, Shane tackles the best Japan has to offer in his new online series Shane Williams: Big In Japan.
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