At the beginning of January 2013 it was announced that Wasps’ physical and bulldozing back rower, Billy Vunipola would be leaving the club for Saracens, naturally it was a piece of news that didn’t sit too well with the Black and Gold faithful and indeed even Dai Young was quoted saying that he was ‘bitterly disappointed’ with the decision. However, the very large shoes that Billy Vunipola left have been more than filled by the outstanding rugby player that is Nathan Hughes.
Nathan’s introduction to the sport differed to many of his Premiership compatriots, he didn’t grow up spending hours running rings around others on the mini rugby field or progressing through the age groups, instead he was a talented hockey player and fell into rugby. Nathan was offered a rugby scholarship immediately after he finished a game in which he was asked to play as a ‘ringer’ for his local side, for such an offer to be handed after 80 minutes of rugby you can only imagine how impactful he must have been. However Nathan is a humble man and when pressed about what he did during that game he simply said that he ‘carried the ball hard, made some line breaks and drove through the gaps’. It was only the third or fourth game that he had ever played for rugby and his ‘informal’ entrance to the sport highlights the enormous amount of natural talent that the Wasp has.
‘The signing of the century’ are words that I have heard many a Wasps’ supporter say about one third of one of the most impactful back rows in the competition. Nathan’s blend with James Haskell and Ashley Johnson has propelled Wasps forwards this season and his personal contribution is outstanding. After 16 rounds of Premiership action the statistics speak for themselves he has contributed the second most carries of any individual in the competition (188), has made 890 meters, beaten 55 defenders and has made more offloads than any other man, 31. The manner in which Nathan attacks games sets the tempo for the rest of the side however it is the competition from others that is driving him forwards;
‘We have outstanding depth in the back row and week in week out we are fighting for our position. As a back row we need to lead the boys with the carries and lacks and it is the balance that we have between our back row that makes us difference from other back rows in the league. Dai always challenges us to be ‘better than your opposite number’ and that’s what we strive to do.’
Nathan has been credited by his team mates as ‘being a breath of fresh air’, indeed Captain Haskell has openly said that Nathan made him 'revisit and polish' parts of his own game and has been a critical part in 'reinvigorating his passion' for the nuances of the back row. Nathan takes rugby very seriously however if you ask anyone at Wasps they will tell of his great sense of humour and character. Nathan understands how much the Club means to its fans, something I’ll never forget that highlights this is when he gave his boots to a young fan mid way through a team lap of honour. It was a bitterly cold day and had been a hugely physical game however Wasps' Number 8 ignored the elements and continued to take the time to speak to every single fan, shoeless. A small act of kindness that meant the world to that Wasps' fan and something that epitomises the heart of Hughes.
With more Man of the Match performances than you can count on two hands it is no wonder that all of our thoughts have turned to the 'larger stage', International recognition and Nathan was open and honest about his thoughts on the subject;
Nathan’s introduction to the sport differed to many of his Premiership compatriots, he didn’t grow up spending hours running rings around others on the mini rugby field or progressing through the age groups, instead he was a talented hockey player and fell into rugby. Nathan was offered a rugby scholarship immediately after he finished a game in which he was asked to play as a ‘ringer’ for his local side, for such an offer to be handed after 80 minutes of rugby you can only imagine how impactful he must have been. However Nathan is a humble man and when pressed about what he did during that game he simply said that he ‘carried the ball hard, made some line breaks and drove through the gaps’. It was only the third or fourth game that he had ever played for rugby and his ‘informal’ entrance to the sport highlights the enormous amount of natural talent that the Wasp has. ‘The signing of the century’ are words that I have heard many a Wasps’ supporter say about one third of one of the most impactful back rows in the competition. Nathan’s blend with James Haskell and Ashley Johnson has propelled Wasps forwards this season and his personal contribution is outstanding. After 16 rounds of Premiership action the statistics speak for themselves he has contributed the second most carries of any individual in the competition (188), has made 890 meters, beaten 55 defenders and has made more offloads than any other man, 31. The manner in which Nathan attacks games sets the tempo for the rest of the side however it is the competition from others that is driving him forwards;
‘We have outstanding depth in the back row and week in week out we are fighting for our position. As a back row we need to lead the boys with the carries and lacks and it is the balance that we have between our back row that makes us difference from other back rows in the league. Dai always challenges us to be ‘better than your opposite number’ and that’s what we strive to do.’
Nathan has been credited by his team mates as ‘being a breath of fresh air’, indeed Captain Haskell has openly said that Nathan made him 'revisit and polish' parts of his own game and has been a critical part in 'reinvigorating his passion' for the nuances of the back row. Nathan takes rugby very seriously however if you ask anyone at Wasps they will tell of his great sense of humour and character. Nathan understands how much the Club means to its fans, something I’ll never forget that highlights this is when he gave his boots to a young fan mid way through a team lap of honour. It was a bitterly cold day and had been a hugely physical game however Wasps' Number 8 ignored the elements and continued to take the time to speak to every single fan, shoeless. A small act of kindness that meant the world to that Wasps' fan and something that epitomises the heart of Hughes. With more Man of the Match performances than you can count on two hands it is no wonder that all of our thoughts have turned to the 'larger stage', International recognition and Nathan was open and honest about his thoughts on the subject;
‘I haven't set any goals International wise England, I’m playing it match by match and focused on delivering for Wasps. However, when the day comes, on 26th June next year, we will have to see if the coaches like me and if they want to select me.’
I think that it is a very safe bet to say that Stuart Lancaster and the entire England set up know all about Nathan Hughes and like us they are counting down the days until he is available. In the immediate future the focus turns to Saracens, completing a strong Aviva Premiership season and learning the ropes of parenthood when Nathan and his wife Ella became parents to a little boy in Early May. They’ve already been told to expect a 10lb baby and if Baby Hughes is anywhere near as proficient at our great game as his Dad is then his future will be just as bright as Wasps' signing of the century.
