Chris Czekaj

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Chris Czekaj
Birth nameChristopher David Czekaj
Date of birth (1985-12-14) 14 December 1985 (age 35)
Place of birthCardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight106 kg (234 lb)
SpouseKat (née Roberts)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Back
Youth career
Llandaff RFC
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005 ‐ 2010 Wales 9 (10)
Correct as of 5 January 2014
National sevens team(s)
Years Team Comps
2009 Wales
Teams coached
Years Team
2019 Bishop of Llandaff

Chris Czekaj (born 14 December 1985) is a Wales international rugby union player, who plays fullback or on the wing for Merthyr RFC. He scored a try on his Wales debut (vs Canada) in June 2005,[1] having only come into the Cardiff Blues side a month earlier following a starring role in the Grand Slam winning Wales Under 21 side.

The name Czekaj (meaning 'Wait' in English) comes from his Polish grandfather, who settled in Wales during World War II.[2]

His nickname amongst Welsh rugby supporters is '28', referring to the score his name would earn if played in a game of Scrabble.[3]

On 2 June 2007 he suffered a broken leg in the second test match against Australia, thus ruling him out of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.[4] Following a full year of recovery and rehabilitation, Czekaj resumed playing for the Blues early in the 2008–09 season.[5] He returned to the Wales squad in 2009 and scored his second try four years after scoring his first, and it came against the same opposition against which he scored his first try (Canada).[6]

Czekaj has been capped Internationally in every Wales age group, from U16s to U21s until gaining his senior cap with Wales in 2005. Czekaj has also gained caps playing for Wales 7s and Barbarians. The only rugby related cap that eludes him is a Lions.

On 11 April 2014, the Cardiff Blues announced that Czekaj would be joining Rugby Pro D2 side US Colomiers at the end of the 2013/14 season.[7]

Following 3 years in the South of France, Czekaj moved to English Championship club Bedford Blues RFC, enjoying a 2-year spell under the guidance of Llandaff RFC, Cardiff RFC and Welsh rugby stalwart Mike Rayer.

Czekaj is now playing at Merthyr RFC in the Centre while also fulfilling a Rugby Development role at Bishop of Llandaff high school.

Czekaj married his long term girlfriend Kat Roberts, a former Miss Wales finalist in 2011.

Following a series of concussive head injuries, Czekaj’s wife Kat took to Twitter to recall the impact Chris' injuries had on them both including disorientation, memory loss and temporary alterations in personality.[8]

Czekaj is a Level 2 Qualified Rugby Coach and is currently working towards Level 3.

References[]

  1. ^ "Canada 3-60 Wales". BBC. 11 June 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  2. ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Lions in NZ | Czekaj ready for Wales step-up
  3. ^ Rugby Union: Gareth: I'm sure Chris will be back | Sunday Mirror | Find Articles at BNET
  4. ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Welsh | Czekaj faces World Cup heartache
  5. ^ Czekaj so happy to feel pain of training – WalesOnline Archived 21 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Canada 23-32 Wales". BBC. 30 May 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  7. ^ http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/cardiff-blues-wing-chris-czekaj-6962680
  8. ^ "The harrowing words of a rugby player's wife everyone should read". 19 September 2018.

External links[]

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