Reasons 2 Smile - My Battles on and off the Rugby Field: My Battles on and off the Rugby Field

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The autobiography of Cardiff Blues, Scarlets, Wales, Lions and Barbarians player Matthew Rees, the most-capped hooker ever for Wales. Lots of insight behind the scenes on his rugby career, but also revealing the full stories behind finding out who his father was at 20 and his battle with testicular cancer at the height of his career. 43 photographs.

Reviews

Superman movie star Christopher Reeve, who became a quadriplegic following an accident, described a hero as an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. That definition accurately sums up the character of Matthew Rees, the most capped hooker of all time for Wales. Smiler Rees has, during his illustrious career, played for Cardiff Blues and Scarlets, Wales, Lions and Barbarians, and has captained both his region and his country. But his heroic feats on the field were overshadowed by his struggles off the field. Brought up by his single mother in Church Village, he discovered at the age of 20 that the person he had always regarded as his father was not, in fact, his biological father. This bombshell discovery impacted on both his relations with his family and on his game. As if that wasnt enough, having reached the zenith of his rugby career, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2013. He persevered, and within a year he was back on the playing field. Not only does Rees lead us along his lifes journey both on and off the field, he affords us, here and there, a rare glimpse into some rather mysterious matters. Why, for instance, did Blues Director of Rugby, Mark Hammett, leave six months into a three-year contract I also salute his admiration of Gareth Jenkins, who left his post as Waless Head Coach under questionable circumstances. I have never met Matthew Rees, yet having read his remarkable story, I feel as if I have always known him. Written with Craig Muncey, it is an easy read, as if listening to a story teller over a friendly pint. What adds to the matey factor and the camaraderie is his liberal use of nicknames for his fellow players and acquaintances. This is one of those rare autobiographies that spurns the all too prevalent me factor. The title, Reasons 2 Smile, could well refer not only to Rees, but to the reader as well. I felt and I still feel uplifted and warmed by this story of a brave yet humble family man who beat the odds. Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland sums up Smilers character succinctly in his foreword: ...tough, leads by example, focused, resilient. But, he adds, it keeps coming back to him being just a good bloke. That, I can well believe. -- Lyn Ebenezer @ www.gwales.com