Shane Williams moves to Japan – Rugby News Update
Shane Williams, the 35-year-old Wales winger is set to join the Tokyo-based club Mitsubishi Dynaboars.
Williams, one of the best wingers the game has ever seen, announced his international retirement last year. He played his last international game against Australia at the Millennium Stadium on December 3, 2011, scoring a try to end up as Wales' highest try
scorer, and the third globally.
He had announced his decision to retire from rugby at the end season, and take up an ambassadorial position with the Ospreys, the club he represented in the RaboDirect PRO12. However, it seems that Williams is not ready to call time on his career and is
going to have one last season in the far east, before he finally hangs up his boots.
Speaking about the offer he said, “At first I said no, it came as a real surprise and the offer only came shortly before the Barbarians match.”
He further added, “But then when I sat down with my wife to discuss it we realised what a great opportunity it would be.”
He will be travelling to Japan on Saturday to meet club officials and look for a place to live. He is taking his family, wife Gail and his young children, daughter Georgie and son Carter to Japan with him, and having discussed the opportunity with Mils Muliaina,
Jerry Collins and George Smith, players who have been there, Williams said it was difficult to turn down.
Williams also said, “I never thought I would get the chance to go and play somewhere like Japan and I really feel this has to be grabbed while it is there.”
“It’s been an incredible season for me, finishing with Wales and then ending the season on such a high with the Ospreys...”
The winger who won the RaboDirect PRO12 League with the Ospreys at the end of the season is excited about the prospect of moving to Japan, but knows that adjusting to a new culture takes time.
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