Earlier this season we caught up with back row star Aaron Wainwright in 'Fired Up' magazine to reflect on the progress that has seen him go from Dragons hopeful to Wales star...
The rise of flanker Aaron Wainwright has been meteoric and the last 12 months is one the back row star will never ever forget.
In a few short years he has gone from a football academy hopeful to a cult hero for Dragons and a Six Nations and World Cup star for his country.
The popular flanker has taken it all in his stride and has a warning for the rest of the rugby word - the best is yet to come...
Q. It’s been a real whirlwind 12 months for you. Is it possible to sum up how life has changed?
A. It’s been a busy year and a year full of both positive and negative experiences. Some of the positives have been huge, like winning the Grand Slam and then getting named in the squad to go to the Rugby World Cup. These are things any young boy dreams about. Losing in the semi-final at the World Cup to South Africa was probably the biggest negative, but overall it has been great and it’s nice to be back with the Dragons looking to make a big impression.
Q. Reflecting on the Rugby World Cup experience, how did it feel to have such a big impact on the field?
A. Getting picked to start in the Georgia game was a massive confidence booster for me and it carried on from there really. I stayed involved and was fortunate to produce when it mattered. While we were out there we were very much in our own little bubble so you never really got carried away with what was happening. Being able to play as many games as I did, and get as many minutes as I did, was great for my development and an experience I will never forget.
Q. How aware were you of the support back home and did you get inundated with messages?
A. I was lucky that I had some close family and friends come out to watch. My mum and dad came out as did my girlfriend and a couple of the boys from where I am from to support me. I did lots of messages from back home and my old school, Bassaleg School, got in touch with me and we did some video chats which was fun. I think some of the TV crews went down to Whiteheads too to do a bit. You could definitely feel the support back home, and that was a huge boost for us all, but the focus was on the rugby and trying to win the tournament. We all felt we were part of something special.
Q. You’re proud of your roots so it must have been a nice touch to get the message from Whiteheads when you made the squad?
A. It was one of my best mates, Lewis, who announced me in the World Cup squad. We actually have a Whatsapp group chat and he had plenty of stick for that off the other lads when it came out online. In fairness, the whole thing was brilliant, it was such a nice touch to relate back to grassroots rugby, which is where we all started and we’re all proud of where we came from.
Q. In terms of the support in Japan, everyone remembers the stadium packed out for a team run. A pretty surreal experience?
A. It was something else! We had 15,000 people turn up just to watch the final preparations. Driving to the Kitakyushu Stadium was incredible – they were queueing for three hours before. I don’t think until then we realised the support we had from the Japanese for the team and the tournament. Even turning up to training sessions, we had people standing there clapping and wishing us well. It was awesome and we even got them singing the national anthem. To learn some of the Welsh songs was amazing.
Q. Did you get chance to see much of Japan and sample the culture?
A. To be honest, when we had time off we stuck out like sore thumbs – rugby players tend to in Japan with the size of us. Big blokes walking around make a bit of a scene. When we stayed in Tokyo it was great, it was one of the best places I’ve ever been. There was lots for us to do and it was such a modern city – and it was busy everywhere. In the south of the country it was quieter, but it was a beautiful place and we stayed by a lake at one hotel which was stunning. We went on a cruise ship and had a ceremony which was great. The whole experience was amazing, the people were so nice and polite. To be immersed in the culture was great, the whole trip was eye opening and one I take lifelong memories from.
Q. The moustache also got plenty of column inches! Were you tempted to keep it?
A. It became a bit of a talking point, but it’s definitely not a permanent look! It all started because I missed a trip with my friends to Prague as I was in camp with Wales. I always planned to keep it until December and then we had a bit of a get together to say our final goodbyes to the moustaches. I did get sent a couple of articles and links from the boys about the top lip – they loved the attention more than I did.
Q. You’re now part of a huge back row battle for places at Dragons. How much of an area of strength is it?
A. It’s a testament to how well things are going at Dragons that we had four back row boys selected for Wayne Pivac’s first squad for the game with the Barbarians at Principality Stadium. The competition is massive, but that is what you need to push you on. People see the players who have had lots of game time this season, but there is some real talent behind that who are working so hard in training too. Jumbo (James Benjamin), Keddie (Harrison Keddie) and Huw (Taylor) are three lads who might not have got call-us but who are having a big impact on what we are trying to achieve. We want an environment where everyone is pushing each other to get better. I’m just looking forward to being back out there with my team-mates and seeing what we can achieve.
Q. You’ve achieved so much over the last year, but is this just the beginning? What more can we expect?
A. One of the things I’ve said that I need to focus on is my work at the breakdown and working with Sam (Warburton) in the Welsh set-up can be huge for me. I feel he can really help me and make me better there. I feel it’s just the start for me, I know I need to improve and get even better. You’re never the finished article, never the complete package and we’re all constantly learning and striving to achieve more in the game. All I want to do is play well for the Dragons and, if I do get selected, keep playing well for my country.
Q. Finally, after the year you’ve had, no regrets on turning your back on football and picking rugby?
A. Ha! It was definitely the right choice! I’m not sure football would have gone quite like this! I still watch football every now and again, especially with Wales getting through to Euro 2020. But I’m not jealous or thinking what could have been with football. I’m 100% happy with the path I took!
To be immersed in the culture was great, the whole trip was eye opening and one I take lifelong memories from...
