Shane Williams opens up about early days in the Welsh team

A new three-part documentary entitled 'Slammed' and featuring Shane Williams has seen the legendary Welsh winger shed light on his early days with coach Steve Hansen. By his account, it was not an easy time for Williams who admits that, at a stage, he “hated Welsh rugby and head coach Steve Hansen with a passion.” 

When Hansen took over the Welsh national team from Graham Henry in 2002, Williams had only 10 caps to his name. However, it was made clear that the New Zealander harboured scepticism regarding Williams’ ability. 

“I remember one of my first meetings with Steve when the conversation was basically: ‘You’re not big enough, you’re not physical enough, your defence isn’t quite good enough and I’m not going to select you in this Welsh team,’" Williams said. 

“My heart just sank. I thought I was doing alright and you’re taking this dream away from me. You’ve come over from New Zealand and taken this dream away from me, how dare you.” 

Williams explained how the snub poisoned his attitude towards the team. 

“I was watching the Six Nations, Wales weren’t doing particularly well and I was quite happy,” he said. 

“I hated the Welsh team, hated everything associated with it, hated Steve Hansen with a passion. 

“I went through a slump when Steve dropped me from the team. I was taking creatine, spending more time in the gym, working on my guns and everything else instead of working on my speed. 

“I put on a stone of weight in a few weeks and it just didn’t work. Yes, I was more muscular but my pace had slowed, I was getting injuries and I was missing games. 

“It was just a vicious circle. It was a horrible time in my life, the worst two years in my rugby life, for sure. 

“One day it just clicked. Stop thinking about Steve Hansen, stop worrying about what he has said. Work on your speed, your fitness and let’s go.” 

Hansen stumbled into a disastrous chapter in his coaching career as Wales lost ten consecutive Tests. The struggle prompted a reshuffle ahead of the 2003 World Cup which saw Williams drafted back into the side, where he set about building a distinguished international career with Wales and the British & Irish Lions.