Page 20 - All Shapes & Zebras From Treorchy

There is the now well-known anecdote of Roger Lewis taking Warren Gatland on a helicopter ride through the valleys as the pen hovered over his coaching contract in 2007 - and how much Gatland was struck by the numerous rugby posts that seemed to pop up in every village as he flew over-head. With decades of history and bad blood in spades, the derbies between these neighbours can be brutal. Perhaps hate is too a strong word - and all clubs collectively form the broad church of Welsh rugby. But there’s no denying that there are numerous clubs that define their very being and existence by contrasting themselves to their rivals.
I know stories of men being ostracised by whole communities – literally living out their older years as social pariahs in the eyes of some because of who they chose – or chose not – to play for in their youth. Despite loyalties running deep, there’ll always be mercenaries in sport. In tight knit rugby communities, there’ll be some individuals who will follow the money, with some willing to ‘jump ship’ for the sake of few notes (or a few notes more) a week. In communities where jobs can be at a premium, talk of rugby loyalty may sound hollow when you’re struggling to put food on the table for the family. Even in amateur circles where players shouldn’t officially be paid, extra cash from rugby exertions can go a long way. Nonetheless, players crossing club lines can lead to derbies that are even more ill-tempered to say the least.
18 ALL SHAPES & ZEBRAS FROM TREORCHY