words hamish stuart pictures Steve Pope
former all black captain Tom “I must admit that what people think “It is nice to know that I have that tucked
Willis certainly chose well when of Northern hemisphere rugby and the under the blanket for the moment, because
he decided he wanted a new competitions here is exponentially growing,” I know that with form, injury or whatever,
challenge – laying down a said Willis. you can be back doing a nine to five job quite
potential law career to lay down easily.
the law as captain at the dragons. “The Heineken Cup now has so many top
quality Southern Hemisphere players coming “Apart from a period when I was injured and
their coach Paul turner went on a over here, which just reflects what they think had an eight week work experience with a
recruitment drive in New Zealand to try to of it. firm, I have never practiced as such.
change the Gwent side’s status as the fourth
Welsh region, with the arrival of former “It would be fantastic one day if somehow “It is nice knowing that I did it, but I am in no
Waikato hooker Willis as captain being one of they could co-ordinate a global club hurry to apply it.
the major components. competition because it would be such a
fantastic event, but New Zealanders now “It is challenging here at the Dragons, but we
He was more than happy to take up the offer, pretty much realise this level of rugby here is are busy refining a type of game we think will
not least because the perception in New very high. be successful.
Zealand these days is that playing Magners
League and Heineken Cup rugby is every bit “Whereas in the past they would have “We are trying to develop a kind of game
as tough as Super 14. thought it was inferior to the Super 14, I which is compatible with the skill we have and
would say now that it is very much on a par. enjoyable for the players.
“Ultimately I had been playing professional
rugby in New Zealand for the last eight or “I would not imagine that is the only reason “I am not saying that every time we go on
nine years and I had a fantastic time doing so many players have come here. Naturally the field we will swing it left to right with the
that but I must admit I was looking for a new after a World Cup year has come round, some most innovative moves, but we will try to get
challenge, something to re-stimulate the mind of the older guys tend to move offshore. the job done in a way which is exciting to
and the body,” he explained. watch.”
“There are a number of reasons for the
“Essentially I wanted to play overseas. It so-called exodus. It is well documented Willis has plenty of Kiwi company in Wales
seemed a positive thing to do because you the financial opportunities for top players, these days, with lots more familiar opponents
still get to test yourself against some of the the change of environment can also be around Europe, so what has made so many
best players in the world, because I do think stimulating.” New Zealanders head for the Magners
the Magners and the Heineken Cup are very league.
strong competitions. Willis came through the ranks of New
Zealand rugby from the Southern club, to “It is based on individual’s needs and where
“I wanted to experience a different culture, Otago and the Highlanders, onto Waikato and they can fit into the market,” said Willis.
ragons
live abroad and travel when times allow. There the Chiefs, with the All Blacks calling along
d
is obviously a financial opportunity as well.” the way. “We generally only speak English so some
of the British options are more appealing
Turner is delighted with the leadership that Despite intense competition from the likes because we don’t have the language
trained lawyer Willis has brought to Rodney of Kevin Mealamu and Anton Oliver, he barrier, but some of them are looking for a
Parade. At the age of 29 he fits perfectly into seemed to have made the breakthrough at completely different lifestyle experience or
the three year plan which is meant to shake international level until injury put him out of better climate, in which case they might go to
off that fourth region tag and see the Dragons the game for a year in 2004. france or italy.
challenge in Europe.
At least it allowed him to finish his law “Ultimately you cannot pick and choose, it
He played five Tests for the All Blacks after his studies and gain some experience but, is a question of where you are needed or
debut in 2002 and captained them twice on however lucrative a legal career can be, he is wanted.”
ewport Gwent
tour against Ireland A and Scotland A, which is committed to trying to change the fortunes of
n
a pretty useful pedigree. the Dragons first. He is both needed and wanted at the
Dragons. If they are to change their standing
He was part of an exodus of New Zealand “I was a product of the system through New in Welsh rugby, Willis will be at the heart of it.
SW
rugby talent this summer, which has helped Zealand, the age grade and academies, but
10
the standard of European rugby match the while I was doing that I chipped away at my
infamous Super 14. education as well to get a degree,” he said.
sportingwales
issue4twothousand&eight
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