Fairhurst “can’t wait” to face Wales

Canada’s full-back will swap the Cardiff Arms Park, where he normally runs out for the Blues, for next door’s Millennium Stadium when the touring Canucks tackle Gareth Jenkins’s Wales team. In contrast, 11 of the side have reached the Welsh capital from clubs scattered across Europe, while the home-based Canadians have had a trans-Atlantic flight.

Fairhurst commented: “The stadium is only a ten minute walk away from my apartment; it’s ideal for me. It’s one of the shortest away games I have ever had. The Canadian team manager was worried how I would get to the team hotel; we had a laugh when he realised that I could walk there.”

The 27-year-old from Victoria, British Columbia, can hardly believe his luck after swapping his Cardiff Bay apartment for the comforts of Cardiff’s Hilton Hotel, just a few miles down the road. “I was pretty happy when I heard I would be spending the week at the Hilton; it’s been nice to not have to worry about the cooking, washing or housework.”

Fairhurst is hoping some good family fortunes will help his Canada side to another shock win over Wales with his parents watching. His father, Nick, will be back in the Cardiff stands for the first time since he saw Canada poach a shock 26-24 win on November 10th 1993.

“Dad will be there for the game and I am hoping it’ll be a case of second-time lucky again,” said Fairhurst. “I can’t wait to play at the stadium, it’s an amazing place. We are planning to shock Wales, but it’s going to be a tough game and we are looking to build a side for the World Cup and this is a big test for us.”

Fairhurst is relishing the challenge, as the two sides are set to clash in their opening World Cup pool match in Nantes next September.