1
Nick Williams issues update after suffering cardiac arrest at 38
By Ian Cameron
Former Cardiff Blues and Auckland Blues No.8 Nick Williams has thanked well-wishers after he suffered a cardiac arrest in recent weeks at the age of 38.
The 6'3, 130kg loose forward, who lives in Barry in Wales, retired from the game in 2020 after four seasons at the then Cardiff Blues.
The former Ulster, Aironi and Munster player said he was 'extremely grateful' to his family after what has been a 'tough' few weeks.
“Talofa lava everyone. I’m extremely grateful to the big man upstairs for getting myself and my family through a tough few weeks," he wrotes on Instagram. "I can’t thank you all enough for the love, thoughts and prayers. I haven’t been able to get back to you all but please know that I’m truly thankful from the bottom of my heart,” he wrote on his Instagram page.
“To my superhero Jase, the Welsh Air Ambulance and the entire staff at the NHS my sincerest thanks and love to you all. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
“Finally to my brothers, my sisters, mum and of course my beautiful wife Gemma and our three girls, your strength and love is my drive to get stronger day by day. From now it’s all about rest and recovery. Health is wealth.”
Williams joined Cardiff Blues from Ulster in 2016, and previously enjoyed stints with Aironi and Munster after starting his career in New Zealand with the Blues and North Harbour.
During his time in Cardiff, Williams made 77 appearances, scored 13 tries and played an inspirational role in the 2018 European Challenge Cup success.
Williams, who was born in Auckland but of Samoan descent, played rugby league through his youth and switched to union late. He was taken under the wing of Mark Anscombe and quickly progressed to North Harbour and Blues honours.
A larger than life character on and off the pitch, Williams played 37 Super Rugby games for the Blues and earned four Junior All Blacks caps before making the move to Europe.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Edinburgh edge Glasgow but Warriors get last laugh
3
'Ugly and horrible': Mark McCall reacts to humbling Saracens' loss
4
Rampant Bath blow away 14-man Saracens
5
Latest Comments
I work in the game and write articles on it too, so the second is shaped by the first.
All England coaches face intense media scutiny and Borthwick is no exception. The media pressure is a reflection of the fact ppl don't want to pay 150 quid for a Twickers ticket to watch the ball being booted up in the air all day.
Incidentally, England had two decent performances in the WC [and throughout 2023 as a whole] playing the way you favour and one was in the semi-final and the other v Argy in the pool.
For the rest of 2023, they were somewhere between dire and uninspired. So how do you work out SB abandoned a 'winning method' on that basis?
Go to commentshardly the first ten to do it, O'Gara was awful for hurling abuse at players his enforcers already had by the collar
Go to comments