“If you could just turn to the side and strike a dashing pose” jokes the photographer, giving directions to the bemused figure standing in front of him. Following the orders he turns, slowly rotating his huge frame into position, his face gleaming with a Zoolander’esque pose carved onto a chiselled, concrete jaw line. The photo shoot has only been running for a few minutes, but already the superstar is looking slightly bewildered, this is obviously not his natural stomping ground. The humidity in the Red Bulletin basement is palpable, and the mountain of a man staring pensively into the distance for the camera seems to be feeling the heat under the spotlight, ironic really as only weeks ago all eyes in the rugby arena were on the Welsh and British Lions sensation, and he couldn’t have been happier.
The man in question is of course Jamie Roberts, 22 years of age and recently voted man of the series for the British Lions. His meteoric rise to fame has seen Roberts go from relative unknown, to gaining worldwide recognition for his ability as a devastating inside centre, all in just 2 years. Yet when he is not demolishing oppositions for fun, Roberts finds time to study for a medical degree at Cardiff University, a balancing act that only a truly dedicated player can manage. So when the opportunity arose to interview such an athletic yet intellectual rugby player, I jumped at the chance, and this is what happened.
James Bass: First off Jamie, how are you feeling after such an emotionally and physically draining tour?
Jamie Roberts: Well, exactly that really, completely physically and mentally drained. 6 weeks is a long time to be touring, especially after such a long season with Cardiff. I did manage to have a day off last week and am planning to go to California tomorrow for 3 weeks to reenergise. You have got to make the most of your time off as a pro rugby player as there is so little of it, especially when you are back in season not even getting weekends off!
JB: Obviously losing the series by such a small margin was tough for everyone involved, but what was the reaction like in the dressing room after the 2nd test? Was it any consolation that you came so close to victory?
JR: Yes and No, it will go down in the history books as a loss, I mean that second test was absolutely gutting and I am sure it was for all the fans watching as well. It was so horrible afterwards, there was literally 20 minutes of silence in the dressing room, made worse by the fact that we knew that we had played all the rugby and were the better side, but at the end of the day we dropped the ball over the line 3 times, and in games like those you can’t afford to do that
JB: The tour highlighted that the Lions does have a hugely promising future with so much young talent on offer, but what was it like playing with rugby legends such as Simon Shaw, Martyn Williams and of course Brian O’Driscoll?
JR: I watched Living with Lions a week before we got out there and Shaw was on that, top bloke and real legend just like Brian and Martyn Williams, so it was great to see them win that last test, they deserved it. On tour you create a bond with the guys which will last forever.
JB: Back in March you were competing against a lot of the Lions team in the 6 nations. Was it a strange transition playing with them and not against them?
JR: Yeh playing with Joe Worsley was a strange transition seeing as though against England he was man marking me. He is one hell of a defender and really puts his body on the line, he is a top bloke as well, but I am honestly looking forward to the next 6 nations, playing against all these guys who you have created such a tight bond with, I’m really looking forward to it.
JB: You said in the lead up to the tour that you wanted emulate the mighty Scott Gibbs in your performance, do you feel you achieved that?
JR: Hopefully, he is a living legend in my eyes, I mean he was a key figure in the 97 Lions tour and I really look up to him. I hope he feels I did him proud
JB: Gibbs was renowned for being able to handle pressure in the big games; do you have any pre match rituals to help you cope with it?
JR: I always listen to lucky man by the Verve, it makes the hairs on my neck stand on end every time and gets me really pumped up for the match.
JB: Obviously physicality is expected against the Springboks but the actions of Schalk Burger took it one step too far. What are your views on the incident, and was that a decisive moment in the match?
JR: It was a hugely decisive moment as without him on the pitch we scored a lot of points. He should have been banned for longer, replays show it was intentional and there really is no place for that in the game, disgraceful behaviour.
JB: HSBC recently voted you man of the series. How does that make you feel?
JR: It’s pretty crazy really, it hasn’t really sunk in yet but it is a huge honour for me. I think maybe in a couple of years it will sink in when I look back, but at the moment it’s all about moving on, as rugby is a short game and you have to look to the future.
JB: I hear you were in charge of the Ipod on tour with Riki Flutey. How was that and did you find it easy getting on with the person competing for your position?
JR: I got on really well with Riki, he is a top bloke and I felt really sorry when he got injured, but it did make my life a lot easier. He totally redeemed himself in the last test with some sensational play though, full credit to him, he is a genius player, shame he is off to breve to play. The Ipod was great fun also, quite a lot of debate on what to put on but I think we did a good job!!
JB: What are your views on so many players moving to France purely due to wages?
JR: Well money talks at the end of the day, and toward the tail end of people’s careers money is a bit of a motivator also, it’s a great lifestyle out there. If I got offered some of the money they do, I would probably consider it also.
JB: On the subject of music I hear your favourite tune is Lucky Man by The Verve, do you consider yourself lucky?
JR: Most definitely, it’s a real privilege to be given half a brain and a talent at rugby, so if I screw it up I will never forgive myself!!
JB: Looking back, at just 22 years old, have the last 2 years been a bit of a blur?
JR: Yes it’s been a really crazy past 2 years, all the guys say enjoy every minute, so I am doing my best! I just try to do the best job I can both on and off the field and I hope I can continue to do well in the future.
JB: When did you realise Rugby was what you wanted to do?
JR: At school I played and when I was 16 I began to realise that I may have some talent at the sport. Obviously coming up through the Blues academy was a real defining point for me, as your game improves so much when surrounded by such great players.
JB: How important has playing for Cardiff and Wales been in your preparation for the big games such as on tour?
JR: It’s so important. Playing big games gets you prepared and helps build your confidence. Having played in the Millennium stadium in front of 70000 people, it did make games on tour easier to prepare for.
JB: You are well known for your talents off the field, studying for a medical degree in what little spare time you have. How do you manage it and do you ever find it too much?
JR: Obviously time management is key for me. You do get days off as a player and a medic, but I enjoy being busy and working hard in my spare time
JB: I am going to give you a little test on your medical knowledge, what is Lateral Epicondylitis?
JR: Right,……..I want to say Tennis Elbow??
JB: Correct!! You have studied hard I see. So in 4 years time you will be a fully trained doctor and possibly on the Lions tour to Australia, are you excited about that and will you be doubling up as team doctor?
JR: 4 years time, it’s a long way away, there were a lot of guys 4 years ago looking forward to this tour and didn’t make it , so I just have to live in the now. It’s in the back of my mind, you dream of playing again but my focus is now on Cardiff and Wales. In regards to the doctor question we will have to wait and see!!
JB: Ok, a few quick questions now, describe yourself in 3 words?
JR: Dedicated, Organised, Friendly
JB: What is your biggest fear?
JR: Getting seriously injured and not being able to play again
JB: Who would win in a fight between Andrew Sheridan and Bakkis Botha?
JR: Sheridan, every time!!
Following the interview and having spent the day with the iconic Lions figure, the picture of Jamie Roberts had been masterfully painted. On first impressions you imagine Roberts to be a brutish stereotype of a rugby player, big muscles and big personality. Yet it couldn’t be further from the truth, he is affable and has a smile as wide as the grand canyon, he is inviting and engaging when spoken to, taking care to listen to all you have to say, and he will give you more than just one word answers. Jamie Roberts is after all only 22 years of age, he is 2 weeks older than me, which although is a depressing realisation, did make me realise that he is still very young in the rugby world. Yet despite his youth, Roberts speaks like a man beyond his years, handles pressure on and off the pitch like someone with years of experience, and in the rugby arena has achieved an accolade that only few will ever get to experience, being voted player of the British Lions Tour. When asked about the future Roberts remains calm and very realistic, “we will have to see what happens, I am taking it a day at a time”, but you and I both know that this very special rugby talent will continue to excite crowds all around the globe, for many years to come.
James Bass
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