Lions star who’s happy juggling top level rugby with changing nappies
Wales winger Josh Adams missed being present for the birth of his daughter through going on tour to South Africa but accepts the sacrifice he made, as Simon Thomas reports
YThere are no guarantees for anybody who goes on a tour that you are going to play the Tests. There was always a possibility I wouldn’t play in any of them JOSH ADAMS
OU could have forgiven Josh Adams if there had been times on the Lions tour this summer where he questioned whether his sacrifice was worthwhile.
By heading to South Africa and to life in a Covid bio-bubble, he missed being present in person for the birth of his daughter.
Yet, despite scoring eight tries in the warm-up games, the Wales winger then missed out on selection for the first two Tests.
He ended up watching his partner Georgia Davies give birth to Lottie Efa via Zoom, the morning after withdrawing from the match against South Africa A.
Adams did play in the final Test as the Lions went down to a last-gasp defeat to lose the series 2-1.
So now that the dust has settled, how does he reflect on what he went through?
“I understood the sacrifice I was making before leaving,” said the Cardiff flier.
“There are no guarantees for anybody who goes on a tour that you are going to play the Tests. There was always a possibility that I wouldn’t play in any of them.
“I understand your point about thinking now I am not playing I could go home and be with the family sooner.
“But I understood the possibilities out there. It was tough, don’t get me wrong, but I was really grateful just to get that last Test under my belt.”
On his personal experience of becoming a father on tour, he added: “It was unique wasn’t it?
“I don’t know many stories of lads going away and that happening. Even if they did go away, they might have been able to fly back home, but with the Covid situation and being in a strict bubble that was not doable.”
Adams finally got to meet his daughter in the flesh when he returned to the UK from South Africa.
“It was emotional,” he admits. “I had a moment when they arrived in the Jersey hotel.
“It was tough out there with my fiancee going through the whole process without me. As soon as I got there it was emotional and I was so happy we could finally be altogether.
“I enjoyed the experience of being in South Africa and being part of a Lions tour because that’s the pinnacle of rugby union for us and I am so grateful to be given that opportunity, but I was also happy to then be home with my family.
“As you can imagine, life is a lot different now. Thinking of it now, I don’t know what I did with my spare time, it’s all taken up now feeding, changing nappies. I love it.
“It’s the best job in the world being a dad.”
What about his thoughts regarding the on-field action with the Lions in South Africa?
“I thought we played some really good rugby leading into the Tests,” said the 26-year-old.
“We knew the sort of confrontational battle it would be against South Africa and there is an element of playing a less risky rugby where we defend a little bit more and play without the ball, more pressure rugby than throwing the ball around.
“That’s the Springboks’ game. They stick to their guns. They are very good at what they do.
“Maybe at times we could have potentially played a bit more rugby, but that’s how it goes.
“It was such a nip and tuck game in the final Test with a few opportunities missed here and there.
“We can say we could have done this and that, but ultimately the best teams take their chances.
“South Africa played to their strengths and their game plan went very well and ultimately they probably deserved to win.”
Having had a post-Lions break, Adams returned to action for Cardiff on Saturday night in their derby clash with the Ospreys.
“It was good to get back out there and I really enjoyed myself,” he said.
“I have been ready since day one. There are certain protocols you have to go through before you get out there, but I have been itching to get back since I have come back.
“I feel good. I looked after myself pretty well in the off season. Not being able to go on holiday helped.
“So there wasn’t much I could do apart from look after the baby and do a bit of training myself.
“That certainly helped. The first day I came back it was a case of another year’s cycle begins again, until the following June-July.
“It is long, but I love what I do and I wouldn’t want any other job.”
Adams returned with a bang against the Ospreys, scoring one try and paving the way for another in a narrow 18-14 defeat.
His own touchdown came as he reacted fastest to Rhys Priestland’s penalty attempt rebounding back off the woodwork.
“It was pre-planned. We didn’t want the three, we thought we would have the five instead,” he quipped.
“It is one of those things where you always get told to chase kicks and follow up on penalties from whoever is goal-kicking.
“More often than not it either goes
wide, they catch it or it goes over. It’s like the one in 100 that will happen, so I am glad I was there for it.”
On the result of the game, he said: “It was quite frustrating. I thought we created some good chances, but there was a lot of poor skill execution from us as backs, a lot of dropped balls.
“Maybe at times we should have passed it to the guys outside or moved the ball a bit better. The ball was greasy, but that’s not an excuse our end, we need to be better than that.
“It was one that got away from us and one we should have won.”
Next up is a clash with the Bulls from Pretoria at the Arms Park on Saturday night.
“Historically they are one of the strongest South Africa sides and have always been pretty good,” he said.
“What we have seen of them the past two weeks they have been over here is standard typical traditional South Africa.
“They are very physical and big lads with good players in their team and threats across the board. It will be a tough challenge and a different exciting one. It’s a team we have never played and a new team in the league.
“I am looking forward to playing in front of fans at the Arms Park again. I was very jealous of the boys who got to run out here against Connacht. I was watching that at home.
“There was a great turnout for that game and the boys had a terrific win as well in front of the fans.
“It has been a long time and I am sure I speak on behalf of everybody that I am looking forward to Saturday.”
Soon attention will turn to international matters again, with Wales opening their autumn Test campaign against New Zealand on October 30.
The 32-cap Adams is sure to be a key man in a team that will be depleted by a number of absentees.
“With lads unavailable for selection through playing in England and injuries, that could open the door for other people to have an opportunity,” he said.
“In the summer, with the Lions boys away, they gave players opportunities and built some depth there.
“I am sure we will see some of those faces come back into the autumn squad in the coming weeks.”