He's 33 and a qualified doctor but Jamie Roberts fears retiring from rugby
Former Wales midfielder Jamie Roberts has revealed that although he is a qualified doctor, the prospect of retiring as a rugby player in the next year or two is filling him with dread.
Out of the Welsh reckoning since the last of his 94 caps was earned in November 2017, the 33-year-old midfielder has appeared for three clubs this year, moving from Bath in England to the South African Stormers last January and then linking with the Dragons in August after returning to Wales for the lockdown.
The 2009 and 2013 Lions Test centre isn’t exactly sure how long he will continue to play and neither is he certain what career he will take up when he finally hangs up his boots, a situation that he is uncomfortable with.
Making his debut appearance on the new RugbyPass Offload show, ex-Wales talisman Roberts candidly discussed his fears of life without rugby with Dylan Hartley, the now-retired England captain who is trying to find his own way after a career in the front row.
“It’s going to happen to me,” said Roberts, taking up the topic of when he might call it quits as a player following a stellar career with a myriad of clubs and with Wales. “I don’t know if it is at this end of this year or maybe another year, we’ll see. I have spoken to past players about lads struggling, it’s probably the most daunting time. I’m scared s***less to be quite frank with you.
“It’s very odd for me personally because I don’t ever feel like I was a rugby player"
– It's just 15 months since James Haskell retired from playing but he has been so busy outside the game his old identity doesn't define him ???https://t.co/YVVKw2fAxu
— liam heagney (@heagneyl) August 17, 2020
“Look, I have been lucky that I have worked hard and have got stuff in the bank, my degree and what I can go on and do. But I am worried, desperately worried. The biggest challenge comes with not knowing what I want to do.
“Even still, the first step towards being sane in the afterlife of finishing rugby is taking real personal responsibility while you’re playing. We have a massive responsibility towards players in the game that they are doing something outside the game.
“It makes better people, it makes better players, we are a business of producing good people as well as good rugby players. And how many players have you played with Dylan who are brilliant, brilliant rugby players but couldn’t hold a conversation in a room of sponsors and corporates for example?
“We have a huge responsibility to do that to make sure people are rounded and they have things outside the game. I don’t think it’s quite there yet and for me, that’s the biggest driver to help people after playing is doing it while they are still playing.”
Hartley recently detailed the punishing after-effects of his career in rugby in his newly published autobiography and he was in awe that Roberts had found the time while playing to secure his medical qualification.
“Physically from a welfare point of view, I feel like the game has got a responsibility to look after its players better post rugby,” said Hartley. “I’m one of those guys now and it’s pretty quiet, it’s tumbleweed out there when you finish… it’s really inspirational that you became a doctor because when you leave rugby there is absolutely nothing.”
Roberts responded by explaining how he managed the onerous task of balancing education with his rugby as an emerging player in Wales. “I became pro in my third year in uni. I was in the academy so I hadn’t broken into professional rugby scene when I was 18, 19 so it was a case I’m going to go uni, I’m still in the academy playing semi-professional rugby. I’ll see how it goes because I didn’t have a professional contract.
“It was only after I was halfway through my second year, start of my third year I got my first professional contract with Cardiff Blues and I battled many times with the idea of quitting university. Lots of times thinking this is too much, but I kind of loved the challenge of trying to do both and not failing at both because the biggest fear is you become average at both and don’t achieve anything.
“I loved that kind of fear, the challenge to perform on a Saturday and nail some exams towards Christmas time. Six Nations would come around and it would be like right I’ve got to deliver. Then some exams in the summer and what have you. I was stupidly busy and when I reflect on it now I couldn’t do it again.”
As a medic, Roberts added that long-term injury issues go with the territory of being a rugby player. “When you accept the career you go into as a professional rugby player, you accept that it is going to do harm to your body. There are no two ways with that.
“When you’re a young guy and you sign up to this life in professional rugby you have got to understand that come 50, 60, maybe even earlier for some people, late 30s, 40s, you are going to be at risk of knee replacement, shoulder replacement, ankle surgery, what have you. That’s a given. It’s an obvious thing to state.”
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'There are over 2,000 people around the world that are registered to play with these goggles'
At the start of the 19/20 season, @ianmck7 was taken aside & told Treviso no longer needed him. But his remarkable rugby story isn't over, writes @heagneyl ???https://t.co/buSG3f6JkU
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 27, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Word in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
4 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
1 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
4 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to comments