Rees set for Cup bid at the age of 38
MATTHEW Rees plans to make a Champions’ Cup come-back with Cardiff Blues next season at the age of 38 after signing a new contract at the Arms Park.
The former Wales captain is extending his long career for at least one more season in defiance of the knee injury that forced him out of the Blues’ European Challenge Cup triumph in Bilbao last month.
Rees has convinced new head coach John Mulvihill he should invest in a hooker who played the last of his 63 Tests for Wales four years ago.
Rees is eager to renew his front row partnership with Gethin Jenkins, who also turns 38 next season.
Rees says: “I thought I played some decent rugby last season and that I was worth another season. The prospect of Champions’ Cup rugby next season
has spurred us all on.’’
While Tau Filise’s retirement after the thrilling Challenge Cup success against Gloucester in Bilbao means that the world’s oldest front row trio can never be reunited, Rees and Jenkins could yet emulate the durable Tongan by playing on into their 40th year.
“We’ll see,’’ says Rees, who came through a successful battle against testicular cancer four years ago. “I’m 38 in December. If I’m playing as I was last season there is no reason why I can’t push on. Who knows?
“In saying that, I know how fickle the game can be. When you get to a certain age you learn to take it one season at a time. My knee is very good despite all the rugby I have played and the consultant has been very positive.
“I had the operation straight away and hope to be back playing again sometime in October. After finishing the season in a good place, we need to make sure we stay strong and push on.’’
Wales, hit hard last year by long-term injuries to Blues flankers Sam Warburton and Ellis Jenkins, are resigned to being without another Test back row forward for at least half of next season.
Aaron Shingler is unlikely to be back in action for the Scarlets until the New Year following surgery to repair the anterior cruciate knee ligaments damaged during last weekend’s abortive defence of the PRO14 title against Leinster in Dublin.
One of the outstanding successes of the international season, Shingler ‘hopes’ for a return by the end of the year which will leave him precious little time to be fit for the start of the Six Nations.
He joins a depressingly long list of back row forwards stricken by long-term injury in recent months. They include Billy Vunipola, Sean O’Brien, Sam Underhill, Dan Baker and John Barclay.
Scotland captain Barclay will not play for at least six months after rupturing an Achilles tendon during the Scarlets’ PRO14 semi-final win in Glasgow. Shingler’s shattering knee injury eight days later has left him facing a similarly long road back.