1
'I still believe now that I had Welsh blood running through my veins' - Grannygate victim unapologetic nearly two decades after scandal
Nearly two decades after the infamous ‘Grannygate’ scandal that rocked international rugby, former New Zealand-born Wales fullback Shane Howarth remains adamant of his Welsh heritage, despite being banned from playing for his adopted nation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Howarth was one of three players – including Kiwi-born Welsh teammate Brett Sinkinson and England-born Scottish international David Hilton – exposed for representing nations they were supposedly ineligible to play for in 2000.
After playing four tests for the All Blacks in 1994, Howarth switched international allegiances to play for Wales four years later after then-head coach Sir Graham Henry convinced him to do so.
Believing he had qualified via his Cardiff-born maternal grandfather, Thomas Williams, Howarth went on to play 19 times for Wales between 1998 and 2000, which included four tests at the 1999 World Cup.
However, an inquiry by World Rugby, then known as the International Rugby Board (IRB), saw Howarth, along with Sinkinson and Hilton, deemed to be ineligible to play for their new nations, and with no proof of his grandfather’s birthplace, Howarth’s second international career was cut short at the age of 32.
Speaking to WalesOnline, the former Auckland, Blues, Worcester, Wasps and Pacific Islanders assistant coach, who now runs a supermarket in Auckland, remains unrepentant about his decision to declare for Wales 19 years on from the saga, but still feels the pain from the downfall the ensued from the drama.
“I couldn’t prove he was my grandfather. It wasn’t on the birth certificate,” Howarth, who was also pursued by England due to his English lineage, said.
“But, in my heart, I truly believed, and I still believe now, that I had Welsh blood running through my veins.
“There were a lot of players involved in it, but, unfortunately – I guess because I was an All Black – I kind of got singled out.
“But, to this day, I am Welsh. If I can’t get papers to prove that, then have a look at the 20 games I played in the red jersey and see if I wasn’t Welsh.
“And, if I wasn’t Welsh, why the hell would I turn England down and play for a country I’m supposedly not available for?
“That’s my take on it. Other people can have their own thoughts about it, but I gave my all in that red jersey and I’ll defy anyone who says I didn’t.”
The impact of being barred from representing Wales extended beyond his rugby career, as Howarth revealed that the publicity surrounding the news also took its toll on his family.
“It hurt my mum’s side of the family,” he said.
“It dragged up things that didn’t need to be bloody dragged up. It all came out in the wash.
“The most disheartening thing for me, out of it all, was I let my mum and my grandmother down. That sits with me still today.”
Watch – Raelene Castle interview:
ADVERTISEMENT
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
6 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
6 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments