Players / My World

Jamie Roberts

/ Cardiff Blues and Wales

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I’m not a tough person, by any means. But the higher the standard you set, the more pain you have to be prepared to go through. It’s just a mental barrier. To reap the rewards you’ve got to go through those barriers and get to the other side. Mental toughness is one of the most important elements of the game. It’s been a point of focus for Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards, but it's only the players that can find that strength.

 

People say there’s something different about this Grand Slam It’s brought a new level of ambition in Wales, perhaps. The Welsh nation thrives on rugby and people can’t wait to see the team tested in South Africa and in the autumn internationals against the Tri-Nations.

 

You really can’t hear your own voice when the roof is closed at The Millennium Stadium. Beating Stade Francais in Cardiff was special, the game against Bristol away was fantastic, all the big Heineken Cup games were unparalleled. But then you get the atmosphere in the stadium for the France match and it’s another level again.

 

I just wanted to leave the Six Nations behind and slip back into life as a student just like everyone else. I get a bit embarrassed from time to time, but then again I was asking for it when I agreed to have a TV camera following me about. I don’t actually get that much attention in hospital, though, which suits me fine. I’ve been recognised a couple of times, but people have usually got other things on their minds.

 

I wish I had Shane Williams’ speed off the mark.
He’s electrifying. If I could combine that with my size and speed there would be no stopping me. He’s a little guy, but he’s a genius, absolute genius - one of a very rare breed.

 

I’ve got a weird list of heroes and icons.
Percy Montgomery has got everything, Jonah Lomu brought an extra dimension to the sport. And I really loved Eric Cantona – a genius with that hint of arrogance which was fundamental to his game.

 

Sometimes I catch myself thinking about stuff I’ve got going on at the weekend in the middle of a match. It doesn’t happen very often and I do my best to focus, but you can get distracted playing in the back three. I don’t know what happened when Wales played Scotland, either. Five minutes after the match had finished I couldn’t remember a thing about it. A complete blur…

 

My main attributes are size, speed and kicking. And flair [laughs] !!!

 

I don’t really go for special pre-match rituals or superstitions. I get changed early, get out on the pitch as early as possible, have a kick around and neck a can of Red Bull. I’m quite easy-going, I like to play with a smile and have a good time out there. It’s just not a part of my character to get overwrought about things.

 

I haven’t got a lot of pink in my wardrobe I have to confess. I know it’s very popular around Toulouse and Paris and I even hear that we might have a bit of pink in The Blues kit bag next season, but it’s not really my colour…