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Rugby World Cup

Javier Bardem on why he loves rugby and the position he played for Spain

By Ian Cameron

21 Oct 2023

Actor Javier Bardem attends the Rugby World Cup France 2023 semi-final match between Argentina and New Zealand at Stade de France on October 20, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)

Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem joined RugbyPass TV before the Rugby World Cup semi-final between Argentina and New Zealand and told viewers about his love for the sport.

“I played for Spain,” Bardem told Jim Hamilton on the sideline of New Zealand versus Argentina. “I started when I was nine years old and I played until I was 23. I love it, it is my passion.

“I’m always saying that playing rugby in Spain is like being a bullfighter in Japan. It didn’t make any sense back then but now, thank God, there is a lot of support in Spain for rugby.

Big Jim Show – RWC Semi Finals

Dan Carter will join Big Jim on Saturday, watch live before and after the game! 19:20 BST & 12 mins after FT.

Join Us

Big Jim Show – RWC Semi Finals

Dan Carter will join Big Jim on Saturday, watch live before and after the game! 19:20 BST & 12 mins after FT.

Join Us

“It’s my favourite sport of them all because of the ethics, because of the union of the team, because of the respect to the fellow players and the referees. The ethics of rugby are amazing.

“I don’t like lately that people are whistling when the players are kicking. We are better than that. We have a lot of lessons to give to the kids and one of the things I love about rugby is the ethics – respect the kicker.”

Javier Bardem revealing he played for Spain is the best plot twist of the Rugby World Cup #rugby #BigJimShow #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/1tAWs8g9dz
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 21, 2023

The No Country for Old Men actor revealed that he played tighthead prop throughout his rugby career.

“I was a prop, believe it or not, a small prop, number three. My brother Carlos and I, we were called ‘los mendrugos’, which is the hard part of the bread.”

For what it’s worth the 54-year-old actor is unsurprisingly happier to be spending his time on film sets these days as opposed to on a rugby field.

“First of all, I don’t have a train wreck coming towards me of 140 kilos for me to tackle. I feel way, way safer making a movie than being there for one minute!”

The Skyfall star said he was blown away by Ireland and New Zealand’s quarter-final, remarking: “When I played, maybe if I was lucky I touched the ball three or four times. Thirty-six phases Ireland played at the end of the match [against New Zealand]! I was so nervous – ‘Don’t drop the ball!’ It was one of the most amazing rugby matches ever.”