By KevinTheB
May 21 2003

One thing the DWs do in the background is to keep in touch with some favourite players who have now flown the Hive, so to speak. This week KtB managed to catch up with Legend Gareth Rees. I recently had the opportunity to "interview" one of the best, if not the best, goal kickers in the history of the game - our own Gareth Rees.

KtB: "Gareth, what did you get up to when you were released from your coaching contract with Wasps?"

GR: "Well, Kevin, after leaving the club I initially worked hard to open Eden Park Richmond with other Wasps old boys Florent Rossigneux and Rob Henderson, as well as Lol and Kenny. Things are going well with this venture at the moment."

KtB: "Eden Park?"

GR: "Yes, it's a fashion retail store,we are on the High Street, in Richmond"

KtB: "And after this was off the ground?"

GR: "Well, the opportunity came along to put something back into Canadian Rugby. I was hired as CEO of Rugby Canada, a post I still hold today."

KtB: "What have you been up to in this exalted position, then, O High And Mighty One!"

GR: "Now then, careful, you cheeky sod! We have completely restructured and rebranded the union after some problems in the past. We have also written and begun to execute a strategic plan for Rugby in this part of the world. On the playing front, we qualified First in the Americas Pool for RWC 2003. And we beat Scotland last summer in Rugby Canada's first victory over a professional team."

KtB: "Was Kenny playing in that one?"

GR: "No, and that's a pity, because I would have loved the post-match banquet with him there! "

KtB: "What about the non-playing side of it?"

GR: "We have just announced sponsorship for the world cup of over $700 000 and we are working away preparing the team. We have signed an agreement with the RFU to work with them on Coaching and Refereeing issues and we have created a Tri-Nations tournament involving England, Canada and the USA called the Churchill Cup. It has its own website at www.churchillcuprugby.com. This is going to be a festival with Tournaments around the test matches that will take place in Sunny Vancouver. Personally, I have been doing some work for ESPN TV in the USA trying to promote the game down there."

KtB: "So you've settled back in Canada well, then."

GR: "Yeah! Denise and I are living in Vancouver but I spend a lot of time in Toronto. So far, SARS has not been a problem for us, and we hope that this continues to be the case. By the way, we expect to see the Drunken Wasps out here soon. All Waspies are welcome on my patch, Anytime!!"

KtB: "One final question, Gareth. Given that you are one of the most successful kickers in the history of the game, and turning off your modesty for a moment, if I was to arrange a competition of the following players, at their peak of fitness and performance, in kicking goals from all areas of the pitch from all distances, equal numbers of shots from each place, etc. (i.e. as near an equal test as could be made), how do you think they would rank out?
Gareth Rees; Rob Andrew: Stuart Barnes; Jonny Wilkinson; Joe Karam; Don Clarke; Andrew Mehrtens; Diego Dominguez; Hugo Porta; Phil Bennett; Jonathan Davies; Neil Jenkins; Andy Irvine; Gavin Hastings; John Eales; Michael Lynagh; Naas Botha; Joel Stranski?"

GR: "A great question. I believe I would be number one. Part of my success was that I backed myself against anyone in the world. That said, the guys I like on your list if I was betting would be:
Wilko; Diego (a killer inside 45); Hugo (the man's a legend); Merts; Big Gav (but not in front of the posts!). I would also add Grant Fox and Mark Wyatt to your list of all time greats."

KtB: "Gareth, thanks for your time. Best wishes to Rugby Canada, Denise and yourself from me and all the other Drunken Wasps."

GR: "And all the best to all you guys in the UK too. Good Luck in the Parker Pen. I'll be watching for the result. Keep in touch!"