Gareth Thomas was the chief mutineer.Himself and some other players wanted to go out drinking,which is typical of Welsh rugby but Ruddock asked them not to and they went against him.
@the welsh sports podcast, this is impressive content. As with the excellent Squidge Rugby, you are a rising star of balanced rugby analysis that you don't find on television. I think you are destined for greater things.
Some of the rumours I have heard about this saga are honestly hilarious, but as most of us expected player power one over, but as I always say you get what you wish for and they got a bang average coach that didn't last. Thanks you again christian and keep up the good work
Thanks Dave. Good to hear from you. Yeah lots of fun stories flying around but as you said they got an average coach and I think his record since then has proved that in my opinion. Hope you’re well mate 👍🏼
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast Thanks christian everything is good man, I would say I am looking forward to seeing wales in the autums but the way were playing will be tough need Jac morgan to come back and hopefully gatland picks Morgan Morris.
Really hoping Jac Morgan gets fit. He was a big miss in the summer and dare I say might have been enough to tip the balance but we will see I think 3 losses from the autumn wouldn’t be a surprise but I’m hopeful for more 😬
I remember at the time the rumours going around all the rugby clubs was that alfi had been messing around with blokes behind his mrs back and that had caused a split between the players, half for alfi and half against ! ( I really liked Mike ruddocks tactics and was sad to see him go )
Makes sense. Seams like lots of politics and not enough rugby doesn’t it. Can’t argue that we played a fun brand under Mike. Shame it ended like it did
Thanks Christian for this insightful assessment of a troubled period. Sadly, I’d suggest that lessons weren’t learnt . Today the WRU are taking the game away from the very people and communities that are their lifeblood. All the best!
There was a rumour that Eddie Butler and Gareth Thomas had a fight outside the BBC studio after the interview and that Butler gave him a pasting, (which was why he had "a stroke").
It was primarily about player power that Ruddock left. I knew in December 2005 that Ruddock was a dead man walking. Ceri Sweeney was in the Welsh squad at the time and I spoke to his cousin on a Christmas do who told me the knives were out. I won't profess to know all the reasons but most of them are referenced in your video. There was a lot of bad blood as well about Ruddock being the only person recognised in the Queen's honours list with an OBE and the fact that not a single player received anything.
Interesting insight thanks. That OBE thing hadn’t occurred to me tbh. That’s a fair point. Kind of backs up that moment when Alfie was talking on scrum V
Hi Christian, I do remember watching this heated discussion between Gareth and Eddie on scrum V and I never really found out the reason for the sudden departure of Mike Ruddock in 2006 I just believe at the time it was down to family reasons until I watch this on the Tv I just don't know what to make of this after all these years. Thanks for bringing this up it's been a long time. As always a great video Take carer
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast Sorry, but no sympathy for Alfie, a total tool of a human beign, he embarrised himself adn everyone involved, he wasnt even that good a player
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast dont remember any of them been that special that other players wouldnt have scored though, and its difficult for any try scoring record to mitigate been such a bell end
Point of fact; Butler did not, as stated, cite his sources. Whether he should have or not is irrelevant if it is claimed that he did it when he didn’t. This was a serious annoyance to Alfie.
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast hi, love the podcats by the way. There was a lot of chatter alleging, lets say sensitive, shenanigans going on between certain people. I wouldnt like to say too much more, im sure you have your ‘sources’ too. 👍🏻
Hi , I am Steve Lewis & have just read this post, unfortunately most of which is nonsense. This subject has come up many times since 2006 and each time has contained opinions & rumours rather than fact. I have never bothered to comment on the subject even though I am the only person in possession of all the facts & the supporting evidence. I would not be inclined now if it were not for the presenter’s reference to Alan Carter’s book which contains a number of lies. In the many meetings with the senior player group at no time did they ever seek Mike’s removal as Head Coach - and certainly not in the meeting which has become the subject of much rumour. Alfie was absolutely truthful when he stated the contents of those meetings were essentially about international payments (usually) & insurance. I am not aware of any meeting between Mike & Scott Johnson in which he told him to stop undermining him & in the many meetings I had with Mike he never mentioned this to me - & I had known Mike personally since we were both players. The presenter states that Mike had been operating without a contract since he started employment with the WRU - absolute lie & there is documentary evidence. In fact that contract did not contain a bonus clause but on winning the Grand Slam I approached the board to approve a bonus for him anyway - which they did. I understand that Alan Carter needs to sensationalise to sell his book but it contains the following lies: 1. That I wanted the final or any say on selection - absolute lie, never ever even discussed - a ridiculous assertion, 2. Mike’s grievance complaints were to me - absolute lie. He was subject to the same company’s grievance procedures as every other employee - never ever raised during negotiations, 3. Agreed that all coaches report to Mike. Griff had a contract but true Johnson did not even when Steve Hansen was head coach - there was an actual benefit to this as he could be dismissed at any time if Mike so wished without having to pay out the rest of any contract, as there was none. I challenge Carter to provide any evidence to support this. Contract renewal negotiations had been going on for some weeks & Mike & I had agreed terms including the financials without much disagreement - I then passed the draft over to HR and Mike over to his solicitor and that’s when the challenges started to arise. If you want a more accurate account of what actually happened I suggest you read Bob Humphrys’ book “Not a Proper Journalist”. May also come as a surprise but there are no personal issues between Mike & I and we have had coffee together since these times and he asked me to do some work for him when he was Head Coach at Worcester. Sorry to disappoint.
@@TheWelshSportsPodcastI will meet you on neutral ground to improve your knowledge of the facts if you’re that interested in the facts. What is your generic postcode ?
Too many fingers in the Money Pie at the Top Table, WRU aren't bothered about Rugby in Wales its all about £££££££££ , enjoyed watching this very interesting
South Afrcan players do as they're told and they are not allowed to use their smartphones in the week leading up to a big game,whereas the Welsh players only interested in drinking.
I take your point but I think that’s slightly harsh. These guys dedicate their lives from a young age. Everyone needs to have fun sometimes and I’ve seen SA players on a night out on Cardiff in the past and they weren’t somber 😂
Wales at this point were building for the 2007 World Cup which in 2006 at the time of this was 18 months away and should have given Ruddock a contract to take him to the World Cup after the Grand Slam in 2005 and since 1987 Five now Six Nations along with Summer and Autumn tests and in the Southern Hemisphere The Rugby Championship form a four year cycle towards the World Cup
2005 really should have been a start of a golden era. Anywhere else, when a coach has just guided Wales (or any team for that matter) to their first grand slam in nearly 30 years, the pen would have been put to paper immediately ensure his contract, at the very least, to the 2007 World Cup was in place. Unfortunately for Mike, unlike future and previous coaches, he didn't speak with a New Zeeland accent, and The WRU being such a bunch of ammeters they are... Such a waste - I still regard the 2006 and 2007 years as the most depressing 6 Nations I ever had to sit through, especially when we all know what could and should have been after blowing teems away and winning the slam in style; and so it proved a little later on. Far too many ego's once Wales started winning under Mike Ruddock. Some of the players have also gone on record claiming it was Steve Hansen's Grand Slam. Incredible. People also forget that Wales were somewhat depleted with certain key players injured during the 2005 Lions tour, missing the whole of the next season, which just showed Wales lacking in strength in depth. Just unfortunate, and the autumn matches reflected that. And then there was Gavin Henson and his recently published book...
When they win, it's their victory, nothing to do with Ruddock. When they lose, it's Ruddock's fault. WTF? I don't think any of the players that got involved in this covered themselves in glory. Thomas worst of all, but was by no means alone. Never liked Stephen Jones, either. Overrated player, overrated coach.
Yeah agreed. Not a good look for anyone tbh was it. I think he had some ability but not the amounts of caps when hook was being played everywhere else so Jones could play 10 😬
And there should be a new rule or protocol in place.If you want to play rugby for Wales then you shouldn't be allowed to have a family.Family unfortunately comes first and that's not the spirit or attitude we need to foster in Welsh rugby.Rugby before family is how it should be.
Welsh rugby is just a never ending circus 🎪. I'm fairly sure a lot of players never took to Pivac either. (Granted some results under him were shocking) But also another title winning coach hounded out
There seems to be a scrummaging problem in Welsh rugby.The regions and the national side are always massacred in the scrum.Why can't the WRU set up a national scrummaging academy.
