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Javier Bardem on why he loves rugby and the position he played for Spain
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.
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“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.
“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.”
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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.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Great to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
1 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
2 Go to comments