Gethin has Filise’s record in his sights
GETHIN Jenkins hasn’t had to look far for motivation in his bid to carry on playing at the top level even with his 38th birthday looming large.
Just across the front row at Cardiff Blues has been the 40-plus Tau Filise, whose record-breaking service to the Blues is set to come to an end this season. Filise has 60 more appearances than Jenkins for the Welsh region, but that gap is set to close next season thanks to a one-year extension for Wales’ most capped international.
With well over 400 games for Wales (129), the British & Irish Lions (11 including five Tests), Blues (193), Pontypridd (62), Celtic Warriors (13) and Toulon (21), the form of the 37-yearold Jenkins hasn’t been damaged by age, wear or tear.
“The service Tau has given this club has been amazing. He is stronger than anyone in our gym, he is a freak,” says Jenkins.
“I was doing dead lifts with him in the gym the other day and he just laughed at me. I’m working as hard as I can and he comes in and probably lifts it up with one hand.
“I played against him in 2005 for the Lions against Bay of Plenty. I got the better of him that day, but that’s probably the only time it has happened.”
The Blues took their time to offer Jenkins another year. He wanted to play on and for Blues fans the thought of seeing him play at a new club would have been horrific.
“It was good to get my future sorted for another year. It has been a frustrating season injury wise, but I knew that if I got my body right I could put in the performances that would justify that,” said Jenkins.
“I’ve been involved in some good wins this season. Myself and Matthew Rees have contributed a lot to where we have got to and I am glad to be able to look forward to pulling on the jersey for another year.”
His senior debut came at Pontypridd after he played for Wales in the U19 World Cup final in Wales in 1999. His Wales debut came in 2002, he was selected for three Lions tours and his last cap came in 2016 when he led Wales to a 27-13 win over South Africa.
“The games are what drive me on, running out on the field. What I will miss most when I finish is the routine of preparing for a game and then the routine of getting ready on a match day to performance as best you can,” added Jenkins.
“Sometimes after a game, when you are feeling sore, you wonder if you are done, but then you hear that everyone else is feeling the same way.
“If we lose, or I get a bump, I always ask myself whether or not I did as much as I could have done to give myself the best chance to perform. When that stops it will be time to call it a day.”