The word legend is thrown around too lightly in sports these days, but if there's one player who deserves that tag, it's Sionde Harries.
The dynamic and athletic No. 8 has been a driving force in women's rugby on and off the field throughout her 14-year international career.
Through battles against amateurism and inequality, changes in Wales' management and glorious days of professionalism, Harries remained a fixture in Wales' red shirts.
But at 34 and with her 11th Women's Six Nations looming, she has decided it is time to retire and focus on her family, friends and her teaching career at Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Dur.
With Elinor Snowsill, Siwan Lyricrup and Caryl Thomas all announcing their retirements in the past 12 months, it feels like the end of an era or a changing of the guard in Welsh women's rugby.
Shona Wakeley (née Powell Hughes) is the only surviving member of the 2010 World Cup squad remaining in the current setup.
The game changers have done their part and now it's time to step back.
player
It's fair to assume that Harries was one of the players opponents feared on the team sheet.
On that day, Harries was a world-class back-rower whose barnstorming runs became his trademark, and of course he was no stranger to being on the tryline, having scored 28 tries in 78 Test appearances.
Born in Aberystwyth and originally from Aberaron, Harries had rugby in his blood.
She began playing at school, representing Cardiff Metropolitan University before joining Whitland Ladies RFC, where she gained a formidable reputation at grassroots level.
She broke onto the international stage as an under-20s player, but with her athletic ability, Harries also represented Wales in sevens.
She was included in the 2010 Rugby World Cup squad and says making her debut against Australia in that tournament was a career high.
“My first cap, my first World Cup, it was a great experience with great players,” Harries said.
“I think one of the highlights that sticks out to me was playing against Ireland in the 7th place deciding match at the 2017 World Cup and contributing to their automatic qualification to the World Cup, which will be held just recently (in 2022). That was a great moment.”
outcast
Harries' career has been filled with memorable moments, but the low points are also well documented.
She spent two years in the international wilderness, but it was clearly a matter of form, as she was regularly putting in performances that earned her Player of the Match honors for her then club team, Worcester Warriors. It wasn't a thing.
Harries was a key player under head coach Roland Phillips, but mysteriously left his role ahead of the 2019 fall international tournament.
However, the coaches who took over in the following two years missed Harries for the 2020 and 2021 Six Nations.
She wasn't the only one. Phillips' daughter Carys received the same snub before making a spectacular comeback in the fall 2021 series.
Ms Harries later spoke about her mental health issues while in exile, saying: Depression and loss of identity. She also said there was a lack of support from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) at the time.
“It was really difficult. I wasn't happy with the way things were being handled or how I was being treated at the time,” Harries said.
“There were times when I thought of giving up, and it was tough at the time because that's your identity, but once you move on from that, I'm glad I came back and I'm glad I had the support of those around me. ”
comeback queen
Harries returned to the field when Ioan Cunningham took over as head coach and her return to Test rugby was a moment of personal triumph.
She came off the bench in the 2022 Six Nations match against Scotland and sparked a memorable second-half comeback.
“There was a period of two years where I thought I'd never wear the red jersey again,” Harries recalled.
“The fact that I was able to come back and achieve what I did, especially coming off the bench in the first Test match against Scotland, was a no-brainer for those who had doubts. I think two was enough.'' That's how I was then. ”
Harries' return coincides with the launch of the WRU's first women's professional contract, which was initially given to 12 players but increased to 32 last summer.
And while Harries welcomed their long-awaited arrival, they marked the wrong end to her career.
“When I started in 2010, I never would have imagined that I would have a pro contract and that the game would grow this much,” she said.
“I've been involved in where it started and how far it's gone and it's great to see the development of the game, but for me it's the wrong place, right time.
“If I was younger, I would have bitten your hand to get that contract. But in the back of my mind, there was always that decision and that anxiety. As I enter the winter of my career, I would like to teach you That means you have to concentrate on that.”
It's a testament to Harries' unwavering dedication and boundless energy that, more than ever, she has been able to juggle full-time demands in the classroom, weekend work as a rugby pundit and training in Wales. is.
“I'm proud of it, it takes a lot of hard work, determination, and more patience, but at the same time I also think it takes energy out of you, and I want to do it for as long as I can.” I've done it,” she said.
“I feel like it (retirement) is the right time for me. Obviously the game is developing with professional contracts and Ioan wants more from the girls, so I feel like I'm in the same position as my career. , I feel like it gave away too much.”
Farewell to a legend
For now, Welsh rugby is grateful for the 14 years Harries has given him.
Romantics want to see her say goodbye after her final Six Nations outing. It would have been fitting for a player of her stature to give up one last time at the Principality Stadium against Italy, but her professional sport leaves little time for sentimentality.
Harries will also receive a red card on Sunday in Llanelli.
She will be part of Bryton Thunder's starting XI against Gwalia Lightning in the final round of the Celtic Challenge at Parc y Scarlets.
And when Wales play the game later this month, teacher Harries will finally be able to enjoy his Easter break.
She says she's looking forward to spending more time with her students, but jokingly, the feeling may not be mutual.
“I don't think they would be happy to have me back full-time, but I definitely would be happy,” she said.
“I’ve missed out on a lot of experiences with them, so just being a teacher that’s there is great.
“I had just come back from the regional finals with the under-15 girls and they asked me, 'Why are you retiring now? Why are you going to teach instead of playing professional rugby?' was doing.”
“I said to them, 'I'm not a spring chicken, I'm 34,' and they were like, 'Girl, Ronaldo is 40, you go for it!'
“It's great for them to see that rugby is growing. It's great for them to be able to aspire to become professional rugby players. But for them I'm I’m just a teacher.”
