Chris Czekaj
{{Short description|Wales international rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2011}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Chris Czekaj
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Christopher David Czekaj
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1985|12|14}}
| birth_place = Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales
| death_place =
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=3}}
| weight = {{convert|106|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
| position = Back
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Llandaff RFC
| years1 = 2004–2010
| years2 = 2004–2014
| years3 = 2014–2016
| years4 = 2016–2017
| years5 = 2017–2019
| years6 = 2019–2020
| clubs1 = Cardiff RFC
| clubs2 = Cardiff Blues
| clubs3 = US Colomiers
| clubs4 = Avenir Valencien
| clubs5 = Bedford Blues
| clubs6 = Merthyr RFC
| apps1 = 18
| apps2 = 136
| apps3 = 17
| apps4 = 14
| apps5 = 21
| points1 = 65
| points2 = 125
| points3 = 15
| points4 = 10
| points5 = 35
| ru_clubupdate = 6 November 2022
| repyears1 = 2005–2010
| repteam1 = Wales
| repcaps1 = 9
| reppoints1 = 10
| ru_ntupdate = 5 January 2014
| repsevensyears1 = 2009
| repsevensteam1 = Wales
| repsevenscomp1 =
| coachyears1 = 2019
| coachteams1 = Bishop of Llandaff
}}
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.
Club career
Czakaj made his debut for the Cardiff Blues in April 2005, starting on the wing against Ulster.{{cite web|url=https://www.cardiffrugby.wales/news/czekaj-makes-blues-debut|title=Czekaj makes Blues' debut|publisher=Cardiff Rugby|date=5 April 2005|access-date=6 November 2022}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/cardiff-blues-wing-chris-czekaj-6962680|title=Cardiff Blues wing Chris Czekaj signs with for French side Colomiers|date=11 April 2014}}
After two seasons the Colomiers, he moved to Fédérale 1 side Avenir Valencien{{cite web|url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2016/10/14/2438744-chris-czekaj-l-atout-gallois-de-l-avenir-valencien.html|title=Valence-d'Agen. Chris Czekaj : l'atout gallois de l'Avenir valencien|publisher=La Depeche|date=14 October 2016|access-date=6 November 2022}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/former-wales-international-english-giants-16522632|title=A former Wales international returns to Welsh rugby five years after leaving|publisher=Wales Online|date=3 July 2019|access-date=6 November 2022}}
Czekaj spent one season with Merthyr RFC before retiring from professional rugby in May 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/52771156|title=Chris Czekaj: Former Wales wing announces retirement|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 May 2022|access-date=6 November 2022}}
International career
Czekaj made his Wales debut against Canada in June 2005, scoring a try in the win.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/4078460.stm|title=Canada 3-60 Wales|publisher=BBC|date=11 June 2005|access-date=3 March 2021}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/6716809.stm|title=Czekaj faces World Cup heartache|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 June 2007|access-date=6 November 2022}} Following a full year of recovery and rehabilitation, Czekaj resumed playing for the Blues early in the 2008–09 season.[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/cardiff-blues/2008/06/20/czekaj-so-happy-to-feel-pain-of-training-91466-21110910/ Czekaj so happy to feel pain of training – WalesOnline] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521101726/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/cardiff-blues/2008/06/20/czekaj-so-happy-to-feel-pain-of-training-91466-21110910/|date=21 May 2011}}
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.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/8070478.stm|title=Canada 23-32 Wales|publisher=BBC|date=30 May 2009|access-date=3 March 2021}}
Czekaj was named in the Welsh squad for the 2010 Autumn Internationals, coming off the bench in the 25–29 loss against South Africa.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/9164712.stm|title=Wales 25-29 South Africa|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 November 2010|access-date=6 November 2022}} This was to be his final appearance for Wales.
= International tries =
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%" | ||||||
| Try | Opponent | Location | Venue | Competition | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | {{ru|CAN}} | Toronto, Canada | York Stadium | 2005 June rugby union tests | {{dts|format=dmy|2005|June|11}} | Win |
| 2 | {{ru|CAN}} | Toronto, Canada | York Stadium | 2009 June rugby union tests | {{dts|format=dmy|2009|May|30}} | Win |
Personal life
The name Czekaj (meaning 'Wait' in English) comes from his Polish grandfather, who settled in Wales during World War II.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/4518171.stm|title=Czekaj ready for Wales step-up|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 May 2005|access-date=6 November 2022}}
His nickname amongst Welsh rugby supporters is '28', referring to the score his name would earn if played in a game of Scrabble.[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20070610/ai_n19293148 Rugby Union: Gareth: I'm sure Chris will be back | Sunday Mirror | Find Articles at BNET]
Czekaj married his long-term girlfriend Kat Roberts, a former Miss Wales finalist, in 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/its-posh-and-czeks-2346210|title=It's Posh and Czeks!|publisher=Wales Online|date=30 April 2006|access-date=6 November 2022}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/harrowing-words-rugby-players-wife-15170908|title=The harrowing words of a rugby player's wife everyone should read|date=19 September 2018}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Cite web |url=http://www.cardiffblues.com/rugby/blues_squad.php?player=8159&includeref=dynamic |title=Cardiff Blues profile |access-date=25 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229134102/http://www.cardiffblues.com/rugby/blues_squad.php?player=8159&includeref=dynamic |archive-date=29 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}
- [https://archive.today/20110526074558/http://www.wru.co.uk/12219_1516.php Wales profile]
- {{World Rugby Sevens Series profile|mens/28234}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Czekaj, Chris}}
Category:British people of Polish descent
Category:Cardiff Rugby players
Category:Rugby union players from Cardiff
Category:Wales international rugby union players
Category:Welsh rugby union players
Category:Welsh people of Polish descent