Chris Czekaj (born 14 December 1985) is a retired Wales international rugby union player, who played fullback or wing. He most recently played for Merthyr RFC, and spent most of his career with Cardiff Blues. He represented Wales and Wales U21.
| Birth name | Christopher David Czekaj | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 14 December 1985 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 106 kg (234 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Club career
editCzakaj made his debut for the Cardiff Blues in April 2005, starting on the wing against Ulster.[1]
On 11 April 2014, the Cardiff Blues announced that Czekaj would be joining Rugby Pro D2 side US Colomiers at the end of the 2013/14 season.[2]
After two seasons the Colomiers, he moved to Fédérale 1 side Avenir Valencien[3]
Following three years in the South of France, Czekaj moved to English Championship club Bedford Blues. Czekaj spent two seasons with the Championship side, coached by former Cardiff back and Welsh international Mike Rayer.[4]
Czekaj spent one season with Merthyr RFC before retiring from professional rugby in May 2020.[5]
International career
editCzekaj made his Wales debut against Canada in June 2005, scoring a try in the win.[6]
On 2 June 2007 he suffered a broken leg in the second test match against Australia, thus ruling him out of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.[7] Following a full year of recovery and rehabilitation, Czekaj resumed playing for the Blues early in the 2008–09 season.[8]
He returned to the national squad in 2009 for the tour of North America. Against Canada, he scored his second try for Wales four years after scoring his first, coming against the same opposition.[9]
Czekaj was named in the Welsh squad for the 2010 Autumn Internationals, coming off the bench in the 25–29 loss against South Africa.[10] This was to be his final appearance for Wales.
International tries
edit| Try | Opponent | Location | Venue | Competition | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Canada |
Toronto, Canada | York Stadium | 2005 June rugby union tests | 11 June 2005 | Win |
| 2 | Canada |
Toronto, Canada | York Stadium | 2009 June rugby union tests | 30 May 2009 | Win |
Personal life
editThe name Czekaj (meaning 'Wait' in English) comes from his Polish grandfather, who settled in Wales during World War II.[11]
His nickname amongst Welsh rugby supporters is '28', referring to the score his name would earn if played in a game of Scrabble.[12]
Czekaj married his long-term girlfriend Kat Roberts, a former Miss Wales finalist, in 2011.[13]
Following a series of concussive head injuries, Czekaj's wife Kat took to Twitter to recall the impact Chris' injuries had on them both including disorientation, memory loss and temporary alterations in personality.[14]
References
edit- ^ "Czekaj makes Blues' debut". Cardiff Rugby. 5 April 2005. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ "Cardiff Blues wing Chris Czekaj signs with for French side Colomiers". 11 April 2014.
- ^ "Valence-d'Agen. Chris Czekaj : l'atout gallois de l'Avenir valencien". La Depeche. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ "A former Wales international returns to Welsh rugby five years after leaving". Wales Online. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ "Chris Czekaj: Former Wales wing announces retirement". BBC Sport. 22 May 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ "Canada 3-60 Wales". BBC. 11 June 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ "Czekaj faces World Cup heartache". BBC Sport. 4 June 2007. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ Czekaj so happy to feel pain of training – WalesOnline Archived 21 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Canada 23-32 Wales". BBC. 30 May 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ "Wales 25-29 South Africa". BBC Sport. 13 November 2010. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ "Czekaj ready for Wales step-up". BBC Sport. 6 May 2005. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ Rugby Union: Gareth: I'm sure Chris will be back | Sunday Mirror | Find Articles at BNET
- ^ "It's Posh and Czeks!". Wales Online. 30 April 2006. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ "The harrowing words of a rugby player's wife everyone should read". 19 September 2018.
External links
edit- "Cardiff Blues profile". Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
- Wales profile
- Chris Czekaj at the World Rugby Men's Sevens Series (archived)