North relishes fresh start with Ospreys
Wing re-evaluates career goals after Horne injury Wales talisman grateful for two-month break
George North says his attitude to rugby has been changed by the career-ending injury to Rob Horne, sustained when they were both Northampton players last season.
Horne suffered full paralysis of his right arm in a heavy collision with Leicester No8 Sione Kalamafoni in April. North, who will be playing for Ospreys this season, admits he has spent the summer break reflecting on his career and what he wants to achieve.
“Seeing what happened last season to my good friend Rob Horne, and how he finished, makes you re-evaluate what you want to do, knowing that any game could be your last,” North said.
“I got close to Rob last season and I still pester him most days to make sure he is all right. As a man, I don’t think you will get any better in the world. He is very loyal and a warrior through and through. To see someone struck down like that is devastating.
“The support the boys at Northampton have shown, and the rugby community as a whole with the game at Twickenham they are doing for him, is amazing. Rob is back in Australia with his family, but I hope he knows there are lots of people here who have got his back.”
North’s build-up to the new season has been rather unconventional, with weddings, family visits, a trip to Silverstone and even a cycle ride with Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas.
After scoring once on Wales’ three-test summer tour, North was given a two-month break by club and country. It was something he had never experienced before.
“Having time off, and deciding to give myself a mental break from rugby, was great. If anyone talked to me about rugby, I would change the subject quickly,” said North. “I had eight weeks off, but by week five my fiancee [Becky James] was shooing me out the door. Mentally, I needed it more than anything, because it’s been a long old slog.
“I’m 26 now, but I started when I was 18 and this was my first proper break before starting pre-season. I’ve been able to prat around, playing on bikes, seeing family, going to three weddings, which I have never been able to do before.
“I went to Silverstone last weekend with Scott Williams to watch the Motogp – it’s rare we get a few days off to relax like that – and it has been ideal to get ready to come back for a big block of games.”
North was asked out on a ride by Team Sky’s Thomas and his fatherin-law, quickly finding out just how good his fellow Welsh idol is on a bike.
“There was one point where he was talking to me and texting as well when he was riding uphill. I just thought he was taking the mickey,” North said.
A third World Cup next year must be high on North’s playing agenda and his return to Wales on a dual contract with the Welsh Rugby Union should allow him to head to Japan in peak condition.
Moving home from Northampton will take thousands of miles, and endless hours of driving, out of his season to leave him freer to concentrate on what he does best.
“It’s nice to be back in Wales, everything is more on one page,” he admitted. “It is a long old season.”