Coach’s Corner | Ready to wave my own wand

Under the stewardship of Leigh Jones, Hong Kong climbed to their highest ever International Rugby Board ranking of 23; travelled to Kazakhstan and won there for the first time; claimed the Emirates Cup of Nations in Dubai; beat, nae battered, Belgium twice; and for the first time in Hong Kong’s history reached the Rugby World Cup repechage stage.

Now, I know what you’re all thinking, “Follow that, Hally!” It’s fair to say I do carry that weight of expectation but it is a challenge I am relishing and one I am prepared for.

I have been fortunate to work with the Welsh wizard for nearly 10 years after first meeting him when I played for Newport Gwent Dragons where he was forwards coach.

Having spent four previous years playing for Glasgow, moving to south Wales took some adjusting, not least with the language barrier!

“Who’s coat is that jacket?” Or, “I’ll be there now in a minute to give you a cwtch” were just some of the Welshisms that were truly lost in translation.

However, after an intense period of watching the complete Gavin ’n’ Stacy box set I was soon up to speed with all of the terms, and particularly Leigh’s nuisances.