'I have got four plates in my jaw that are permanent... unfortunately, you get a minority that takes the law into their own hands and get away with it'
‘The Dominator’ was game to talk last Monday on his day off. Over the course of 25 minutes, Alex Dombrandt sifted through a whole myriad of scrapes and japes with RugbyPass about his journey from south London to becoming a Harlequins regular via a colourful three-year detour in Wales.
On-pitch assaults that twice broke his jaw and left him with four permanent plates inserted. Shedding 10kgs off his university rig after arriving into the pro ranks. His delicate situation on the England fringes. The stars he especially looks up to at The Stoop.
All this and much, much more came up for discussion during a breezy conversation where even his frisky five-month-old French bulldog puppy wound up banished to the next room for being too much of a whimpering distraction midway through.
All was on the table except for one thing: Paul Gustard. Five days after it had emerged that the Harlequins director of rugby who arrived at the club in summer 2018 at the same time as Dombrandt had quit with immediate effect, the No8’s perspective on his former boss was the elephant on the Zoom, the hot topic that the interview-organising go-between stressed in advance was not on the agenda.
The explanation? ‘Gussy’ and his abrupt exit was for others to debate and mull over. “Life goes on and us players have got to step up and start performing better on the pitch and hope to get back to winning ways at the weekend.”
Love being part of this team, we go again ? @Harlequins pic.twitter.com/55cn4N2g7V
— Alex Dombrandt (@Alex_dombrandt) November 28, 2020
That was the sole nodding reference Dombrandt made to the goings-on at Harlequins which sees them heading to Wasps this Sunday with general manager Billy Millard installed as caretaker boss of a team that has had its troubles defensively this winter.
Quins not doing well hurts a player who was a fan long before he ever put pen to paper and became part of their back row furniture. There was loads of Crystal Palace watching while growing up, Selhurst Park being on his doorstep, but Dombrandt was also a Big Game regular at Twickenham as well as frequently paying in through the Harlequins turnstiles across the road at The Stoop.
The terrace-to-pitch passage was never starker than in Christmas 2018. He and his family had been in the Twickers stands en masse twelve months earlier, lapping up the festive revelry as Quins gave Saints a hammering. Now, Dombrandt was on the pitch and diving over in the corner for an early Harlequins score as Wasps were beaten in front of 82,000.
“It’s quite nice to look back as a supporter and then a year later as a player. That’s the one that stands out for me,” he enthused, going on to explain how these unprecedented times of behind closed doors games are particularly affecting older brother Ben who had travelled around England and beyond to see his sibling’s career take off and soar.
“It’s affecting him a lot, and it has affected quite a lot of people. Speaking for my brother it was sort of his purpose to get through the week. Something to look forward to at the start of the week, to go and watch the games on the weekend, so not being able to do that, as for all the fans, is tough.”
Dombrandt himself has recently experienced that feeling of getting frozen out. His whirlwind first season catapulted him into an England jersey for the June 2019 win over the Barbarians. However, despite selection in other training camps, he wasn’t a World Cup squad pick, is still uncapped and isn’t in the reckoning for the 2021 Six Nations.
“No, I didn’t get any contact from them,” he admitted when asked if there was an explanation as to why he wasn’t considered having featured in initial October training camps. He’s trying hard, though, not to get stressed about existing in the ‘nearly zone’.
“It’s tough. I’ve had a couple of experiences in training camps. I was in the World Cup training camp and the Autumn Nations just gone as well. My focus is fully with Quins. I really want to do well with Quins, I want to start winning games and in the end, start winning trophies. Perform well with Quins and then whatever will be will be.”
He’ll look the part if and when that does eventually happen. Gustard described Dombrandt as having a ‘university rig’ when he pitched up in Guildford for Harlequins pre-season in 2018 straight from student rugby. His 127kg physique is now down to 117/118kgs and the difference is tangible.
“At the start, I managed to lose quite a bit and then I guess from there it has been a gradual sort of thing. Coming from university I was quite heavy and realised soon that in a professional game I needed to shed a bit of weight just so I could be more involved in the game and have those involvements on both sides of the ball.
“That definitely helped. The professional game is fast, it’s physical, so I needed to be able to acclimatise my body to make sure I could perform well. We get loads of stats on our game and one they look at is how quickly once you have made a tackle that you get off the floor and get back into position ready for the next phase.
“From the start of my career until now that has definitely improved, that’s just an example, the speed at which you are able to make a tackle or make a carry and then get off the floor and get back in the game… the uni lifestyle definitely helps you put on a bit of weight.
“University is a high standard but you definitely have those late-night treats. Coming into a professional environment it’s probably a wake-up call in terms of how it affects you and the slight changes I needed to make in order to have a good crack at the game.
? Who remembers when this guy would score tries for fun?
? @Alex_dombrandt #TryOfTheDay #COYQ pic.twitter.com/5IEuFAT45V
— Harlequins ? (@Harlequins) May 13, 2020
“You can still have your treats here and there but just make sure on the whole that you have a fairly good diet, it’s quite important. I still have all of my treats, for sure, don’t get me wrong. It’s just every so often now instead of where they were a regular occurrence before. I like my crisps and nuts and I’m a big fan of a takeaway. Any pizza or curry, that’s probably my go-to.”
Those hard foods were a no-go, though, during two traumatic periods of Dombrandt’s time at university. Playing for Cardiff Met in the Welsh leagues, he was assaulted and twice had his jaw broken playing against the same opposition, brutal incidents that had court sequels with a conviction and a jail sentence for one perpetrator.
The second break especially hit Dombrandt hard. He even contemplated quitting playing but a compromise was reached – he would only play in the university championship matches, games that had three officials and videos in use compared to just a referee in the Welsh grassroots.
“I’ve had a couple of incidents where I broke my jaw and had to have surgery both times,” he reflected sombrely. “I have got four plates in my jaw that are permanent. Like with any sort of serious injury you always think this is a bit too much, especially when you get the same injury twice and the manner of which it happened it got me really down in the dumps.
View this post on Instagram
“They were like ten weeks out each but it was the manner of the injuries. With a broken jaw, I couldn’t eat solid foods for four, five weeks. I had to have constant check-ups. The second time it got infected, all of those sorts of issues. That is the bit which is the tough part.
“I’m not sure how much you know about the Welsh championship but it’s definitely a different style of rugby. Look, it was two incidents that should never have happened on a rugby pitch and rarely happens on a rugby pitch.
“But unfortunately you get a minority of people, especially at that level where you have a referee but no touch judges, they’re from the clubs, they are coaches running a line. Unfortunately, you get a minority that takes the law into their own hands and unfortunately they get away with it.
“The second time coming back I had a sit-down with my coaches and we decided I wouldn’t play in the Welsh championship against the other Welsh teams, that I would just play the BUCS university stuff where you have linesmen and there’s cameras and all that. So coming back the second time there weren’t any issues.
View this post on Instagram
“All of the guys at Cardiff Met were really supportive. They helped me with all of my lectures, making sure I was staying on top of all my work while I was away from university and making sure I was okay and mentally alright. They were really helpful, really good through it all. I got back playing, started loving rugby again and never looked back.”
Coming into the Gallagher Premiership at Harlequins via the universities rugby route was unusual given the dominant academy structure but it’s something Dombrandt would like to see happen more. While at college he still got to play age-grade Six Nations, had to learn how to fend for himself, while it also meant he came into pro rugby with a sport and physical exercise degree already in his back pocket.
“Going to university you develop that responsibility in having to fend for yourself. You don’t have your parents doing all your washing and cooking. You definitely learn a few life lessons,” he said, adding: “Three months of Wales U20s, that I loved. I felt like I was welcome there as good as I would be welcomed anywhere and I still keep in contact with quite a few of the boys now.
“Coming from a university background is quite unique in itself. It’s not really seen that much these days. The main thing I wanted to ensure at Harlequins was I got signed from a university for a reason. They obviously liked what they saw in terms of what I was doing at university, so it was just sticking to what I was good at, sticking to the way I played at university and trying not to be someone that I wasn’t.
View this post on Instagram
“At the end of the day, they signed me because they liked what they liked at university. I tried to just stay as similar to that as possible. You will see more and more people come through the university programme. If you can leave university with a degree and a professional contract at the end of it it’s great. You have a professional contract and then for whenever your career finishes you have a degree you can fall back on. It should be encouraged more.”
Now contracted at Harlequins through to summer 2022, the 23-year-old Dombrandt is set for his 60th appearance when they visit Wasps. He will take his place in the Ricoh Arena dressing room, focus in on his pre-match tunes and take pride in reaching a milestone that was a distant thought when he first walked in through the doors at the club where he was soon smitten with the influence of two legends, Chris Robshaw and Mike Brown.
“I’m very chilled, listening to my own music, very chilled music, nothing too boom-boom that some of the young kids listen to. Very chilled, just try to stay as calm as possible and think what I want to impose on the game,” he said, explaining his usual pre-game routine before turning to the now-departed Robshaw and the still-going-strong Brown.
“Chris Robshaw epitomises what it is to be a professional rugby player and Mike Brown as well, especially those two. You look at how professional they are in the environment and how they go about their business. Just the way they train, the way they look after themselves, how they recover. Two standout people. Mike was one of the first people to come up to me and say hi and was always there for advice, I look at him as a real good friend now.”
* Alex Dombrandt was speaking on behalf of Gallagher’s Tackling Tomorrow. Together campaign which utilises its position as title partner of Premiership Rugby to help support local businesses during the pandemic. Find out more here: ajg.com/tackling-tomorrow-together
"You can definitely sense it's a lot quieter and businesses are struggling"
– Alex Dombrandt is playing his part for @Harlequins in Tackling Tomorrow. Together, a @GallagherUK @premrugby
initiative supporting local businesses #TacklingTomorrowTogetherhttps://t.co/czqB8jbghR— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 29, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
What a load of bollocks. The author has forgotten to mention the fact that the Crusaders have a huge injury toll with top world class players out. Not to mention the fact that they are obviously in a transition period. No this will not spark a slow death for NZ rugby, but it does mean there will be a new Super Rugby champion. Anyone who knows anything about NZ rugby knows that there is some serious talent here, it just isn’t all at the Crusaders.
1 Go to commentsI wouldn’t spend the time on Nawaqanitawase! No point in having him filling in a jersey when he’s committed to leave Union. Give the jersey to a young prospect who will be here in the future.
4 Go to commentsIt was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 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.
5 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.
2 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.
4 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 comments