WP Nel thought he wouldn’t ever make another World Cup, so he can empathise with former Edinburgh and Scotland’s team-mate David Denton’s decision to quit the game.
The 29-year-old back row forward has hung up his boots on medical advice after continuing issues with concussion, and Nel, a colleague with both the capital club and Scotland, was saddened by his decision.
“It was quite unexpected for me, said the prop. “I know he struggled with the concussion thing, but he was an amazing player – he did a lot for Edinburgh, he played well and when he pulled the thistle on he was amazing.
“He had worked hard to get back to his best playing conditions, he came on tour last summer and was back to his best, so it’s definitely not pleasing to see that happen because he’s still young.”
But Nel went through much the same with the shoulder injury which laid him low for an entire season after his outstanding performance in the last Rugby World Cup in 2015.
“I think David said that he did work at the beginning of his time out of the game with the emotion and he made peace with the decision, knowing that he’s not going to come back, not going to pull his boots on again,” continued Nel.
“I think it’s a journey and you need the right people around you. With my injury a lot of things went through my mind and you’re thinking, I’ve got a young family and what am I going to do after rugby.
“That was the hardest part, but as you go on through that journey, speak to other people who have also struggled and get a bit of inspiration, it basically becomes easier to get your head around.
“I was able to get a good environment, my family around me and got myself into a good space again.”
The reward for that was getting back to his best form, and winning a place at his second World Cup in Japan.
“If you’d said I’d be here two or three years ago I’d probably have laughed,” he admitted. “It’s made every little bit of hard work and everything you put into getting fit again worth it.
“I’m fortunate to be here.”
Scotland are now settled in Tokyo for the tournament opener against Ireland in nearby Yokohama on Sunday, after many weeks of preparation culminating in a sweaty sabbatical in Nagasaki for their first week in Japan.
Ireland being newly No 1 in the world rankings doesn’t really figure into Nel’s calculations.
“I’m a strong believer that we don’t play rugby on rankings,” he said. “It’s on the day, and anything can happen.
“Obviously they are an experienced pack, good forwards, and it’s going to be a challenge. But we play them PRO14, we play them 6 Nations, we play so much we basically know each other. We have a good pack too, and we need to show what we have.”
Anyway, although they are doing due diligence on what Ireland have by looking at their recent games, Scotland now have the confidence to think about themselves.
“Definitely what we need to focus on is us, what we can do the field, and not so much of the opposition,” he said.
“Of course you must analyse them and know what they are doing but it’s up to us what we want to show to people when we’re on the field.”
