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Cory Hill: New Wales captain apologises for 2021 incident

Theo

Image source, Huw Evans Photo Agency

Image description, Cory Hill has played 34 international matches for Wales

New Wales captain Cory Hill has apologised for his involvement in an incident three years ago in which a woman’s home was damaged.

In May 2021, Hill was named as one of the men involved in the incident. The woman said he made her fear for her life and that of her children.

He was not charged by police, but apologized in a statement at the time.

Hill was playing for Cardiff at the time, but left Wales later that year to pursue a club career in Japan.

After a three-year absence from the Welsh national team, Hill returned to international rugby this summer and has been selected by head coach Warren Gatland to lead his country against the Queensland Reds on Friday.

When Hill first spoke to the media about the incident, he reiterated that he felt remorse.

“Do I regret it? Yes, of course I do,” he said. “I made a mistake and I’m sorry.”

“It’s about me coming back to camp and proving my worth within the group and earning respect.

“I’m proud to be captain. I’ve done it before and I thank Warren for his faith in me. It’s a great honour to lead the team again. I probably never thought I would be captain of the Welsh national team again.”

Dealing with negative reactions

The 32-year-old Hill came on as a substitute in the test defeats against Australia in Sydney and Melbourne.

With regular captain Dewi Lake absent from the tour’s international match in Brisbane, Hill was named captain, a decision that sparked negative reactions on social media.

“There will always be negative reactions to mistakes someone has made in the past,” Hill said.

“I was honest and open here. The problem was dealt with by the club and the authorities three years ago. I raise my hand and I am sorry for what happened.”

“We have spoken about it in detail. Warren has given me the confidence to return to the team and give the young squad some experience.

“I feel like I’m succeeding and have enjoyed every minute I’ve spent back here.”

Second chance

Image source, Huw Evans Photo Agency

Image description, Cory Hill and Warren Gatland face the media in Brisbane

Hill has led Wales before, co-captaining with Ellis Jenkins in their 2018 summer tour matches against South Africa and Argentina.

Gatland said Hill had been given back the captain’s armband for the final game of the season after careful consideration.

“We have talked about what happened in the past and discussed it in depth,” Gatland said.

“Cory told me he made a mistake three years ago and regretted what happened. Young men make mistakes.

“It happened, we had an honest conversation and Cory was very open with me.

“I made it clear that people make mistakes in life. There are some decisions or actions they would rather not take.”

Gatland said he believed people needed to be given a second chance.

“You can’t keep blackmailing everyone about it,” Gatland said.

“At some point you have to move on and that’s what we’re trying to do as a group.

“It’s about putting that aside and selecting someone with rugby experience and knowledge who has the respect of the rest of the players in the team.”

Gatland said he was “not looking to the past but to the future” by giving Hill the captaincy.

“He has done a great job with his leadership in the group and he has been good for this young group of players,” he added.

“When you have someone with that kind of experience, people take notice of what they say.”

First the family

Hill has returned to the Welsh squad after leaving Cardiff in 2021 and joining Yokohama Canon Eagles.

“The first two years in Japan I played with the Canon Eagles with some world champions and also some Super Rugby players,” said Hill.

“For me as a player, it was a huge learning process to go out there and the intensity is high and I enjoyed it.”

“I really enjoyed my time in Japan and had some great experiences and will probably bring some of them back here.”

Hill was named in Gatland’s training squad for the 2023 World Cup, but then withdrew to take up a club contract with a new team in Japan, this time fourth division side Secom Rugguts.

He says the decision was based on his family.

“My wife was pregnant, it was a decision to make sure I would be there for the birth of our first child,” Hill said.

“It was a big decision, but ultimately family comes first for me. It has allowed me to have some time off with our newborn baby and my wife that no one can take away from me.”

Playing park rugby in Japan

Image source, Huw Evans Photo Agency

Image description, Cory Hill was part of the winning Wales Six Nations teams in 2019 and 2021

His return to the national team this year has been questioned by many, including former Welsh international goalkeeper Ian Gough, who said he was playing park rugby in Japan.

“I’ve moved to Secom. They say I played a bit of park rugby last year. That’s always nice of a former teammate!” said Hill.

“Goughie and I are pretty close and he messaged me afterwards, which was nice.

“I really enjoyed my time in Japan and had some great experiences and will probably bring some of them back here.

“It’s just about getting my teeth into it again. The chance to play test rugby in the last two weeks is phenomenal for me.”

Gatland is pleased with the way Hill has made the transition to international football.

Gatland has spoken about Hill playing at the 2027 World Cup in Australia, although the player has committed to another season with the Rugguts, complicating his international availability.

“I would like to thank Secom for their support and for allowing me to tour here,” said Hill.

“I’ll have another year out there after we get promoted, but it’s up to us to have discussions about how to proceed.”

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