This week saw Rhys Webb become the latest Welsh player to hang up his boots, following Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric in announcing his retirement from international rugby.
It’s sad when any great rugby player calls it a day and for Wales to lose those three names in quick succession ahead of the World Cup, of course it’s a bit of a blow.
The three of them have been great servants to Wales and such an integral part of the many successes we’ve had over the last 10, 15 years or so. Losing them will leave a big void in the Welsh game and it would have been a difficult decision for them to make with another major tournament on the horizon.
But you know when your time has come.
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Speaking from experience, it’s a very, very tricky balance to strike. Do you finish when you’re still on top of your game, or do you battle on and run the risk of going on too long? No matter how good you are, nobody has the divine right to go on for good.
The likes of the great Gareth Edwards, the wonderful late Phil Bennett and more recently Shane Williams and Sam Warburton called it a day when they knew it was the right time for them, even though they were still at the top of their game.
I would think that Alun Wyn, Tipuric and Webb would have realised they had reached the point in their respective careers now where their ability to still put in a solid performance is not questioned. I’m sure they would have wanted to bow out as the fine players that they have been for years and not risk being remembered for the wrong reasons by going on for too long. It's a mistake far too many make, in both playing and refereeing.
Ultimately, it’s a decision that only you can make. It was the same for me when I decided to call it a day. Everybody told me only I would know when to make that decision and they were right. You don’t want to have someone make it for you.
With the three of them now deciding to walk away from the international game, I think everybody in Welsh rugby should now just take the time to be grateful and thank them for their service. They have given so much to the game and provided me with lots of fond memories throughout my career.
Alun Wyn will quite rightly go down in history as one of, if not the greatest player to wear a Wales jersey. He’s certainly the greatest Welsh forward of all time, and there’s some stellar names in the mix for that title!
He’s been a rock in that side for such a long time and put in performances week in, week out. Very rarely did anyone ever have a conversation about him not playing well and that’s testament to just how important a player he was for Wales.
I refereed him as a captain for the Ospreys many, many times and he would certainly be challenging, which is what you’d expect from a good captain, fighting for his side. He was always very respectful in the way he would challenge you, but there were a few times I had to remind him who the referee was for sure!
I remember once, out in Munster for one of the Pro14 knockout games, I had to pull him aside and tell him: ‘Look Al, if you carry on like this, you’ll be sitting on the side for 10 minutes’. But he listened to me, said sorry and back he went with no fuss.
Justin was another one who - and I mean this in a complimentary way - was very difficult to referee. But that’s only because he was so good. One of those out-and-out opensides, he would always get in there over the ball, jackling for it.
When you were in charge of a match that he was playing in, you knew you’d have to be on the top of your game. He would always get in there amongst it and you had to be sure you were making the right calls.
He also made his feelings known about decisions that were made. I remember pulling him and Dan Biggar over during one game and telling them both that when they did finish playing, they should take up refereeing as they were already doing a pretty good job of giving it a go!
Rhys, on the other hand, was a cheeky chappy, always a pleasure to referee and with a hint of a mischievous smile and tone, rather than your typical in-you-ear scrum half! I’ve known him for many years and refereed him for many years too. He’s a hugely talented player and a great person on and off the field, as the three of them are.
Sometimes when players finish their careers, they are still remembered by people of their generation, but as the years go by their accomplishments become less widely known. But with the likes of Alun Wyn, Tipuric and Webby, they’ll be remembered for a long time.
Of course, there is a host of talented young players who will eventually come through and replace them, while, as far as Wales’ World Cup plans are concerned, there are still plenty of experienced names in that squad.
There are three stellar names who Warren Gatland now won’t be able to pick, but someone will no doubt come in and take up that mantle and make those positions their own.
But one thing is for sure, whoever the stars of the future may be, they’ve got very big boots to fill.
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