No wonder new Wales full back Rhys Patchell described the last week of his life as being “a bit of a whirlwind”. But he can’t wait to get involved in the biggest rugby game of his life.
The 23-year-old outside half was on holiday with his two housemates when he received an emergency call to head down under following injuries to George North and Gareth Anscombe in last weekend’s first Test in Auckland.
But the new Scarlets recruit didn’t get the chance to tee-off as he answered Warren Gatland’s SOS and embarked on a near 11,400 mile journey to New Zealand.
It was four hours from Pwllheli to Cardiff, another two-and-a-half hours to Heathrow Airport, 24 hours in two flights via Dubai to Auckland and then another hour-and-a-half drive to Hamilton.
And no sooner than he arrived he found himself on the bench for Tuesday night’s game against the Chiefs before getting the nod as one of two changes for this weekend’s team for the second Test against the world champion All Blacks in Wellington.
“This Saturday I wasn’t supposed to be doing much – probably watching the game – but I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else in the world,” said Patchell.
“I was actually driving to North Wales with my housemates when I got the phone call from Caroline Morgan (WRU team secretary) saying I would probably be required to fly to New Zealand on the Sunday.
“I was on the first tee at Nefyn & District Golf Club when she called me back and said I needed to fly on Saturday night. So, I left my two housemates stranded on the first tee in North Wales, got back in the car and drove home to Cardiff.
“I got picked up at 5.00pm, drove to the airport and landed in Auckland. We then went on to Hamilton and I just tried to stay awake as long as I could to avoid getting any jet lag.
“I actually found out I was on the bench for the game against the Chiefs when I turned on my phone while I was flying to New Zealand and saw a text message from my father. It has been a bit of a whirlwind few days, but I am looking forward to the challenge.”
One man backing him to come through his first game in the No 15 jersey for Wales is another former Ysgol Glantaf pupil, Jamie Roberts. The two teamed up in the centre during the second half of the 40-7 defeat to the Chiefs.
“It was quite an embarrassing defeat and an embarrassing performance. There is always pressure, certainly coming off the back of a loss, and coming off the back of Tuesday we owe the jersey a game, there is no doubt about that,” admitted Roberts.
“The lads who wore that jersey on Tuesday let the jersey down and I was part of that squad and it wasn’t good enough. We owe the jersey a performance and certainly the Welsh fans, especially those who have travelled out to New Zealand, a performance.
“It is a great opportunity for Rhys and he has all the attributes to play at No 10 and No 15. For Rhys, it is a no pressure game – he just needs to go out and play what he sees.
“He is an instinctive player, from what I have seen over the last three seasons, and he has all the attributes to be a fantastic rugby player – he is a fantastic rugby player – and he has what it takes to stay in the Welsh jersey for a long, long time. He is going to do a sterling job for us at full back at the weekend, no doubt about that.”
