Our rugby masters have sold us out

AT the end of the 19th century, Wales was beginning to rediscover a sense of national identity albeit within the constraints of the British/ English Empire. There were many factors but one of the key drivers of this new-found confidence lay in sport. In particular rugby football in which the Welsh quickly came to excel ushering in the first “Golden Era”.

The 1905 defeat of the unbeaten All Blacks is still arguably the most iconic moment in Welsh rugby history. It underlined the ability of a small, but talented nation, to compete with bigger or more illustrious opponents. In response to the pre-game haka the Welsh crowd spontaneously burst into the Welsh national anthem. This was the first occasion at which a national anthem had been sung at any sporting event, anywhere.

One of the enduring strengths of the game in Wales has always been its classless nature. The game became deeply embedded in Welsh society. In short it belonged, and belongs, to the nation and its people. People have said that it’s in our national DNA but I’d go further. It’s part of our soul and it is not for the WRU to give away on the altar of mammon.

Arranging an out-of-window game against New Zealand, leaving the Welsh team at a huge disadvantage, and then putting such a prestigious fixture behind a paywall is nothing short of an utter disgrace. There will be many older, lifelong supporters of Wales who will have neither the technical ability nor the financial resources to sign up to the Amazon deal. They’ll be left in the lurch. Moreover, I think all Welsh supporters are aware that this is probably the thin end of a wedge. The WRU has sold us out.

An old friend I recently ran into who was on the general committee of the WRU for many years told me he was completely disillusioned with the current set-up. He said: “They’re only interested in finance, not rugby.” That’s certainly the perception of many involved in the game.

Further to the Amazon sellout, I’m told that a highly esteemed Welsh academic who has been involved in local junior rugby for many years has come across a WRU proposal to cut funding from the senior game in a few years’ time. Apparently funding at junior level would continue but not at senior amateur level on the grounds that for adults it’s a hobby that they should entirely fund themselves. How the Union would get such a proposal past the AGM I have no idea but if true it’s an illustration of the current WRU mindset. Perhaps Simon Thomas and the Western Mail writers could investigate this. I fear for the future of Welsh rugby.

Ian Seaton Mumbles