Mon Jun 22, 2015 6:35 am
The Sir Gareth Edwards interview: Why I'm so proud of what Gareth Bale and Chris Coleman's Wales are doing
22 JUNE 2015
BY DELME PARFITT
While a legend of the oval ball game, Sir Gareth admits the progress of Bale and the Wales football team has had a deep impact on him
Gareth Edwards is bowled over by the achievements of Gareth Bale and Chris Coleman's Wales
Rugby legend Sir Gareth Edwards has labelled Gareth Bale ‘a superstar’ in a ‘different stratosphere’ and revealed the huge impact Wales’ football heroics have had on him.
Sir Gareth, who was on Swansea City’s books as a teenager before choosing the oval ball, admits he has been left mesmerised by the transformation of Chris Coleman’s boys as they challenge for Euro 2016 qualification.
And, ahead of teaming up with Bale on the golf course at the Celtic Manor Celebrity Cup next month, Sir Gareth says Bale’s journey to the summit of football at Real Madrid is one he has followed closely.
“When I look at Gareth, I see natural talent, without question,” said the former Wales and Lions scrum-half.
“He’s a superb athlete, like all great sportsmen he makes things look easy.
“He’s also got that knack of being in the right place at the right time.
“That goal the other night, the Belgian player made a mistake when he headed it back, but Gareth still had to take it down and be calm.
“He didn’t have all the time in the world, but he made it look as if he did. It looked effortless. He was so calm and collected and he put it away.
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“That’s what makes those boys so special, it was wonderful.
“It is great to see how he has transformed himself over the past few years to become this superstar.
“You need the ability, but you also need support in all different manners.
“He’s obviously had that, but you also have to have confidence and self-belief. That is what puts these guys in a different stratosphere.
“He plays alongside good players and it has brought the best out of him.
“It’s just great to see him playing and looking so comfortable at the very highest level.
“It doesn’t get any higher than playing where he is now and he looks born to it.”
Sir Gareth knows all about the hwyl and passion Welsh sport can generate having played in, and been at, some of the most fervent rugby occasions down the years.
But he admits he was bowled over by the part the crowd at Cardiff City Stadium played in Wales’ win over Belgium, saying it reminded him of when the Cardiff Arms Park crowd carried Wales to the 1978 Grand Slam.
“It was like 1978 and our game against France, the atmosphere was amazing that day,” Sir Gareth told the Sunday Mirror.
“That feeling from the crowd was to the fore.
Gareth Bale celebrates his winning goal for Wales against BelgiumGareth Bale celebrates his winning goal for Wales against Belgium
“Every country has an anthem that lifts the players. But even when I was a youngster, watching Wales play, people would burst into song – especially if they felt the bodies were failing or the players were dropping their guard.
“It carries you over the line and it did so on so many occasions when I played.
“It has a fantastic effect on people to lift the spirits and keep them going. There are some times when you can sense being lifted by the crowd.”
While Coleman’s Wales are in pole position to qualify for their first major finals since 1958, leading their group by three points, Edwards sounded a note of caution.
“The great danger is that expectation can turn to disappointment,” he added.
“We need to remain a little cautious because you never really know.
“I remember being at the old Arms Park for that match between Wales and Romania in 1993.
“I remember the bitter disappointment. It was a team that had Mark Hughes, Neville Southall, Ian Rush and Dean Saunders. They were almost there, and then, all of a sudden they weren’t.
“This time we have to make sure that we get there.”
Mon Jun 22, 2015 8:57 am
Forever Blue wrote:The Sir Gareth Edwards interview: Why I'm so proud of what Gareth Bale and Chris Coleman's Wales are doing
22 JUNE 2015
BY DELME PARFITT
While a legend of the oval ball game, Sir Gareth admits the progress of Bale and the Wales football team has had a deep impact on him
Gareth Edwards is bowled over by the achievements of Gareth Bale and Chris Coleman's Wales
Rugby legend Sir Gareth Edwards has labelled Gareth Bale ‘a superstar’ in a ‘different stratosphere’ and revealed the huge impact Wales’ football heroics have had on him.
Sir Gareth, who was on Swansea City’s books as a teenager before choosing the oval ball, admits he has been left mesmerised by the transformation of Chris Coleman’s boys as they challenge for Euro 2016 qualification.
And, ahead of teaming up with Bale on the golf course at the Celtic Manor Celebrity Cup next month, Sir Gareth says Bale’s journey to the summit of football at Real Madrid is one he has followed closely.
“When I look at Gareth, I see natural talent, without question,” said the former Wales and Lions scrum-half.
“He’s a superb athlete, like all great sportsmen he makes things look easy.
“He’s also got that knack of being in the right place at the right time.
“That goal the other night, the Belgian player made a mistake when he headed it back, but Gareth still had to take it down and be calm.
“He didn’t have all the time in the world, but he made it look as if he did. It looked effortless. He was so calm and collected and he put it away.
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Have England scored Rugby World Cup own goal by staging high altitude training camp at wrong height?!
“That’s what makes those boys so special, it was wonderful.
“It is great to see how he has transformed himself over the past few years to become this superstar.
“You need the ability, but you also need support in all different manners.
“He’s obviously had that, but you also have to have confidence and self-belief. That is what puts these guys in a different stratosphere.
“He plays alongside good players and it has brought the best out of him.
“It’s just great to see him playing and looking so comfortable at the very highest level.
“It doesn’t get any higher than playing where he is now and he looks born to it.”
Sir Gareth knows all about the hwyl and passion Welsh sport can generate having played in, and been at, some of the most fervent rugby occasions down the years.
But he admits he was bowled over by the part the crowd at Cardiff City Stadium played in Wales’ win over Belgium, saying it reminded him of when the Cardiff Arms Park crowd carried Wales to the 1978 Grand Slam.
“It was like 1978 and our game against France, the atmosphere was amazing that day,” Sir Gareth told the Sunday Mirror.
“That feeling from the crowd was to the fore.
Gareth Bale celebrates his winning goal for Wales against BelgiumGareth Bale celebrates his winning goal for Wales against Belgium
“Every country has an anthem that lifts the players. But even when I was a youngster, watching Wales play, people would burst into song – especially if they felt the bodies were failing or the players were dropping their guard.
“It carries you over the line and it did so on so many occasions when I played.
“It has a fantastic effect on people to lift the spirits and keep them going. There are some times when you can sense being lifted by the crowd.”
While Coleman’s Wales are in pole position to qualify for their first major finals since 1958, leading their group by three points, Edwards sounded a note of caution.
“The great danger is that expectation can turn to disappointment,” he added.
“We need to remain a little cautious because you never really know.
“I remember being at the old Arms Park for that match between Wales and Romania in 1993.
“I remember the bitter disappointment. It was a team that had Mark Hughes, Neville Southall, Ian Rush and Dean Saunders. They were almost there, and then, all of a sudden they weren’t.
“This time we have to make sure that we get there.”
Superb rugby player in his day, some might say the best. True gentleman
Mon Jun 22, 2015 11:24 am
Time to start getting worried!
Mon Jun 22, 2015 7:03 pm
A great sportsman and obviously knows his football too!
Tue Jun 23, 2015 3:47 pm
Surely that football club he played youth football for in 1963 were called Swansea Town ?