'Two teams is certainly one too few for Scotland, I'd love to see a third' - Gavin Hastings' radical idea
Glasgow wasn’t a place Gavin Hastings frequented all that much during his own rugby pomp, but he is now getting used to spending every second weekend at Scotstoun.
Watsonians and Edinburgh Districts were the capital city places where he honed the craft that left Scottish and Lions fans enthralled on the international stage way back when the sport was still gloriously amateur.
Now it’s professional and Gavin’s son Adam is the reason why Hastings’ car now so frequently makes the journey to Scotland’s second city. It will do so again this Saturday, the Warriors hosting La Rochelle and aiming to repeat the heroics of last weekend over in France.
He likes the vibe of the converted athletics stadium, a lively atmosphere he admits he doesn’t enhance by his proud-father-sitting-silently-in-the-stand approach to spectating.
Typical Hastings. “I have never been one of these people that shouts from the sideline and you are not necessarily going to do that when you are at Scotstoun or anywhere else,” he explained to RugbyPass.
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“You have a completely different perspective of the game when you are a parent and you are watching your son play, never mind as a parent who played the game to a reasonable level. For me, it’s a totally different experience watching the game when your son is on the field.
“I enjoy it now I have to say. It gives you a real feeling of pride when things go well and you know you suffer the pain if things don’t go well. I’m realistic enough to know that it is a professional sport and sport has a habit of levelling out. For every great moment that you share there is going to be disappointments and there is going to be troughs along the way as well.
“For me looking back, playing in front of big crowds was always something that you looked forward to and really enjoyed and clearly the Glasgow support at Scotstoun has been terrific and has grown up into noisy and enthusiastic support over the last few years and quite rightly so.
“I just enjoy it there. I look forward to it and enjoy watching them. That is what you have to do. You go with a positive attitude, you say you are going to enjoy it. There might be some anxious moments or whatever but hey, that is the way it is,” continued Hastings, who recently surprised one of Glasgow’s longest-serving fans, Eric Graham, by giving him a lift to Scotstoun for a match in a Land Rover Discovery.
Level-headedness has always been part of the Hastings charm, a trait his increasingly composed 23-year-old son is exhibiting more and more as he builds his burgeoning career. This Saturday’s start is his 38th Warriors appearance in a smart few seasons where he has also made the breakthrough at Test level.
“I think he is his father’s son alright, that’s for sure,” quipped proud dad who does admit to being flummoxed by one particular aspect that is now so important in the professional era. “There is no doubt that I think rugby at the professional level is as much a mental sport as a physical one.
ICYMI | Our team for tomorrow's clash with @staderochelais at Scotsoun was announced earlier today, with both Aki Seiuli and Alex Allan set for milestone club appearances.
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“Most people are conditioned to be able to train very well and push their bodies to the limit a lot of the time for when it is required. But professional rugby is about your managing your body, it’s about management.
“Your body is a machine and that is as much mental as it is physical. That is something I don’t perhaps really understand as much. Obviously going away on a Lions tour and playing in a World Cup, I have experience of that and you understand what you have to go through.
“I don’t suppose it has changed an awful lot quite honestly. It’s still training every day as we were back then and mentally you are still wanting to win and everything else, but the fact is they are doing that all the time and we were doing that twice every four years.
“That is something that I don’t really understand, but I certainly know how hard Adam and everybody that plays professional rugby works. He has been doing that for a lot of years now,” he continued in nodding reference to the well-served apprenticeship at Bath before the 2017 switch to Scotstoun.
The move north of the border isn’t the only reason why matchday is now such an enjoyable evening out for the Hastings.
It was 2003 when Diane, Gavin’s wife, was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s aged just 39, but deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery transformed her life in 2016 and she was even recently in Japan with the rest of the family to watch Adam start in the win over Russia.
Blair and Adam’s parents pre match at Shizuoka. V excited @Blair_Kinghorn @adamhastings @Scotlandteam pic.twitter.com/aoUjNG25vn
— Gavin Hastings OBE (@15GavinHastings) October 9, 2019
It’s quite an inspiring story but Hastings isn’t one for overemphasising it. “She had a big operation three years ago and but for that operation, I am sure things like going to Japan wouldn’t have been possible.
“But Diane’s condition pales into significance when you think of Doddie Weir (who is fighting motor neurone disease) and you think of Tom Smith (who was recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer). Two great Scottish and Lions players.
“That is the way we sort of approach these things. However challenging at times your life may be, there are other people in worse situations than you. Certainly, I know I speak on behalf of the rugby family for people like Doddie and Tom Smith, we are just sharing our support for these guys and doing all we can to try and raise money for their families so that they are all safe and well in the future.”
Hastings likes how the wider rugby family pulls together in times of need. “I don’t think there is any doubt about that. The rugby family worldwide is very, very good for that and we look after our own. That is the way it should be.”
A positive outlook has served Hastings well over the years. “I don’t do negativity,” he explained. “My family, I am one of four boys and we were all competitive from when we grew up.
“My mother was a very competitive person but it is all just, you are not owed anything in this world and the world doesn’t own you anything. You have to go out and earn it, so with a positive attitude you are far more likely to succeed and achieve than with a negative attitude. You have got to get out and about and show people that you care and all that sort of stuff. That has been my mantra my whole life I guess.”
Great fun night with my son @adamhastings96 and my brothers @ScottHastings13 #rugby #family #ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/2ZVoTqNaSr
— Gavin Hastings OBE (@15GavinHastings) August 6, 2019
If he could make one appeal, though, it is for the Scottish Rugby Union to think long and hard about where it is actually going with professional rugby. Hastings had a taste of its mechanics, serving as Edinburgh’s chairman in 2007 shortly after the SRU’s decision to disband the Borders and cut their number of pro clubs from three to two.
Twelve years later, the 57-year-old feels that pinch is still be felt and needs addressing. “It is very tough to be totally successful when you have only got two professional teams in the whole of your country,” he reasoned.
“Ireland have it right with four professional teams and they are vying with each other. They have got four teams to accommodate players and two is certainly one too few for Scotland.
“I would love to see a third professional team come 24 years into professionalism and I really hope it is something that with the investment and the money and whatever else that in due course can come.”
Where should a new team be located? “Listen, that is for other people to decide but you know we need to have another 20, 30 players that are playing at a high level. We’ll see. I am not sure where that will be.
“But it is always good to build extra teams on the back of success, not on the back of average performances. Edinburgh are looking as though they are reasonably strong this year as are Glasgow and I am sure both teams will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season (in the PRO14) and we’ll see what happens in Europe as well.
“There is a lot of rugby to be played. It’s relentless in that respect… the supporters enjoy what they are seeing on the pitch and Glasgow have been successful because of the way that they play their game.
“Okay, they have had only a little bit of success (the 2015 PRO12 title) but they play a good, attractive brand of rugby and people are entertained when they go along and watch them.
“That is part of it. People are busy in their lives, they are working hard and they want to have some entertainment so if rugby teams can provide that then good on them and if success comes on the back of that then that is even better.”
WATCH: Gavin Hastings talks World Cup 1991 in this episode of RugbyPass Rugby World Cup Memories
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Comments on RugbyPass
I think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 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,
14 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 comments