Navidi turns dream into rugby reality
BEPPU - Josh Navidi has no plans to let go of his Wales jersey after having to wait four years for a second chance.
The Cardiff Blues flanker made his debut on the Japan tour in 2013 but injuries and the strength in depth in the back row meant he did not make his next appearance until 2017.
But since then he has come of age in the test arena, taking his cap tally to 21 and drawing praise from rival coaches.
“It’s been crazy,” said Navidi, pictured with ball. “A couple of months ago I did take a step back and think about it. If you had said to me four years ago that I would be playing in this World Cup, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.
“It is nice to be here embracing it and taking the opportunity. Hopefully, I can just keep the jersey and keep on playing.
“The first autumn and Six Nations after I won my first cap was tough, but after that I thought I had to do my own job for the Blues. It has gone well.
“But I know the jersey can be taken off you so quickly, so I just have to embrace it. You have to take it when you can and hold on to it for as long as you can.”
Head coach Warren Gatland has made two changes in the back row for Wednesday’s Pool D game against Fiji, but has kept Navidi, underlining his versatility by switching him from number eight to blindside flanker.
“He’s just unassuming, tough,” said Gatland. “Runs hard, tackles hard, does the basics well, doesn’t make many mistakes. Good in the contact area.
“He is a quality player and I know in the past a lot of people had been pushing for him. Unfortunately, he has had a few injuries, but when he’s fit, he has been an integral part of that loose forward trio.” ■