Scottish coach says Lachlan Ward’s death ‘a tragedy for whole of rugby’
SCOTTISH rugby coach Gregor Townsend says the death of Lachlan Ward last weekend was a tragedy not just for the Warringah Rats, but the whole of rugby.
Manly
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SCOTTISH rugby coach Gregor Townsend says the death of Lachlan Ward last weekend was a tragedy not just for the Warringah Rats but the whole of rugby.
The heartbreaking event struck a personal cord with Townsend who has a close association with the Rats, having played for them in 1993 and 1995.
Yesterday he returned to the peninsula for a round of golf at Long Reef with World Cup winning coach and Warringah stalwart Rod Macqueen on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s Test between Australia and Scotland at Allianz Stadium.
Townsend told the Manly Daily he learnt of Lachlan’s death when the Scottish team arrived in Sydney.
“It’s really sad when it is a club you played for and you feel like you are a member of that club and something like that has happened,” he said.
“It has touched everyone in Australia but also our sport.
“I know this was a tragedy, not just for Warringah but for the whole of rugby.”
But Townsend said such events also bring club and communities together more.
“You have to appreciate what you have got and I am sure the club is getting round Lachlan’s family,” he said.
“They are in our thoughts and I know having played for Warringah it is a club with a strong culture, a very friendly, family club.
“It is a devastating time for them but they will have the support of the club.”
After all he has achieved in the game, the former British Lion still has very fond memories of his time as a Rat.
“It was the fastest I improved as a player in that three month period in 1993, at that stage playing up against guys like Campese and Nick Farr-Jones,” Townsend said.
“I loved it and that is one reason I really wanted to come back, it was an excellent experience.”
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