For Shane it's try, try, try again

Mar 19 2008 by Simon Thomas, Western Mail

FOR Shane Williams, there is no better feeling than scoring a try – and he should know because he’s done it more times than any other player for Wales.

Williams’ crucial touchdown in Saturday’s Grand Slam-clinching victory over France saw him move out on his own as Wales’ all-time top finisher.

He now has 41 tries to his name from 56 Tests, taking him clear of former record-holder Gareth “Alfie” Thomas, who reached his tally of 40 in 100 appearances.

Williams could hardly have found a more perfect way to set the new landmark.

It was his first try against France, completing a full set against all the major rugby playing nations.

It was his sixth in this season’s Six Nations championship, equalling the tournament record set by England’s Will Greenwood in 2001.

And, of course, it was also the pivotal score that put Wales on route to the 29-12 triumph that sealed the Grand Slam.

So Williams will have good reason to long remember that opportunist strike at the Millennium Stadium.

But then the 31-year-old is spoiled for choice when it comes to memorable tries amid his now-record haul.

There have been some spectacular individual efforts along the way and some scores that - like on Saturday - were so important to the team.

“To be honest, I’ve loved every single try I’ve scored,” he said.

“There’s no better feeling really.

“I am a striker and I enjoy scoring tries. At the end of the day, I suppose that’s my job.

“I don’t really set myself targets. I’ve had seasons where maybe I’ve felt I haven’t been hungry enough and haven’t scored as many tries as I should have.

“When that’s been the case, I’ve worked on aspects of my game I thought I needed to in order to put that right.

“As a winger, I suppose you should be scoring these tries. That’s what you are getting paid to do.

“The last couple of seasons I’ve scored a number of tries, due to the fact that I’m getting involved in games a lot more.

“I am not just a winger who sits on his wing having a cup of tea until the ball comes my way.

“My fitness is probably the best it’s ever been and I’m stronger and quicker than ever, so personally I feel very good and the hunger is still there.”

That’s readily apparent, given that Williams is currently in the richest scoring vein of his career, having touched down 12 times in his last nine Tests.

That run has featured a number of scores to rank up there with his best, including a scintillating solo effort in the World Cup defeat to Fiji, plus razor-sharp strikes against Scotland and Ireland during the Six Nations clean-sweep.

Those have been tries to sit alongside other memorable efforts from earlier in his career – such as the one against New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup and those against England, Italy and Australia in the golden year of 2005.

So, when it comes to reflecting on his personal favourites, Williams is spoiled for choice.

“You remember them all, but I suppose you are remembered for the more important ones, like the try against England when we won the 2005 Grand Slam,” he said.

“That was the victory that set us on our way and I’ll never forget the games during that season. You always get reminded of them, which is brilliant, and I’m sure that will be the case with this year as well.”

Reflecting on his tries during the championship just gone, Williams said, “I think the second one I scored against Scotland was pretty important because of the stage the match was at and the same goes for the ones against Ireland and France.

“Both games were at a stalemate and could have gone either way, so I think the timing of those tries was significant.

“I’d never scored against either country before, so that made it extra special, and it meant we won the Triple Crown and the Grand Slam, so I’m never going to forget that.”

Looking further back in his career, Williams said, “The try against New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup was great and the game in itself was one of the most memorable I’ve ever played in.

“I personally felt the All Blacks were the best in the world at that time and it was a massive game for me because I’d been out of the team for a couple of years. That World Cup was like a second chance.

“I had to wait my turn for my opportunity during the tournament and, to be honest, I wasn’t sure whether I would be playing because I was in bed with flu all week before the game.

“Fortunately I recovered in time and I went out there and expressed myself.

“It was make or break for me, but things went well. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the try just sealed it all off.

“I think I only ran in from about four or five yards, but it was a great team try, and the day itself and the way we played just made it a remarkable game to me. It’s certainly up there with my lasting memories.

“From then on, that’s where I really progressed as a player.”

Continuing down memory lane, Williams said, “I enjoyed the hat-trick I scored out in Argentina in 2004, particularly the middle one, and the try against Australia in Cardiff the following year was a turning point for us in that game.

“It was a great performance by the lads and that try probably typified that. It was great work by Alfie and a game I’ll never forget.

“I’ll obviously never forget last Saturday either or the try.

“I’d scored a couple on the right and a couple on the left during the championship, so I guess I was due one under the posts!

“So there have been a few that have stood out for me over the years, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the tries I’ve scored, whether it’s been from five yards out or from 40 yards out.

“Looking back at the start of my career I just wanted to play local rugby for Amman United and score tries as they came.

“Eight years later I’m the highest try-scorer for Wales. Saying it now I still can’t believe it to be honest. It doesn’t sound right coming out of my mouth!

“All the tries I’ve scored for Wales, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of them.

“I’ve been very lucky to play in some great Welsh sides through the years and that’s the reason I’ve scored my tries.

“There have also been some for Neath and the Ospreys that are certainly up there with the ones I’ve scored for Wales.

“For my testimonial this year, I’ve spoken to the BBC and asked if there’s any chance of sending me a DVD of all my tries from Neath to the present day.

“Hopefully that will be done and they will all be there to remember for the rest of my life – not that I’ve finished my try-scoring just yet by any means.

“I want to carry on crossing that line for as long as I can, because there’s no better feeling.”

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