Tshiunza's shock at Welsh call-up
By Rob Cole
16/10/21
Christ Tshiunza thought someone was “pranking me” when he answered his phone last Wednesday and heard he had been selected for the Wales squad for the upcoming autumn tests.
The 19-year-old student was preparing to make his debut for Exeter University in the BUCS Super Rugby tournament against Cardiff University when his career took an incredible change in direction.
“I was in my pre-game prep on Wednesday, getting my trainers on and getting ready to leave, when I got a call from Wayne Pivac himself. I had to double check it was him because I thought someone might have been pranking me,” said the 6ft 6in tall, 17st 7lbs Tshiunza.
“He told me the news and I was very happy. He didn’t go into a lot of detail on what he wants from me, but I think this camp is going to be a big learning block for me and anything on top of that in terms of game time will be a bonus.
“I’m grateful to be in the squad regardless of whether I get any game time or not. I’m just excited to learn. I’ve heard a lot from the other internationals in the Exeter squad about how much a better player they feel when they come back into the club from international camps.”
That’s certainly what Pivac has in mind for the talented teenager when he finally gets him into camp the Monday after the game against the All Blacks. He wants to give him a taste of the levels he will have to reach if he is to fulfil his dream of playing at the 2023 World Cup.
After only 61 minutes of Premiership action with Exeter Chiefs this season, and one start for his university side, it is difficult to see him getting into the action in the games against the world champion Springboks, Fijians and Wallabies. But Tshiunza is OK with that.
“I’ve learned that the game gets a lot, lot faster the higher up you go. Just being involved in the matchday squad at Exeter has helped me to learn a lot and playing at the weekends is just a bonus,” he said.
“It is also very physical, but I think I have coped with that side of it alright. I’m not sure how I’d cope with the facing the Springboks or Wallabies, but I’m just taking everything day by day at the moment.
“Every rugby player would love to play in a World Cup and I was just going along with that when I mentioned 2023 when I was young - it wasn’t really the right time to say it then, but now it might be.
“As we go into this camp it is a free-for-all really. Everyone has an opportunity to play and I’ve got to grab the opportunity with both hands.”
England and British & Irish Lions lock Jonny Hill has already told him to embrace his opportunity and to ensure he returns to the Chiefs a better player for the experience. There are a number of senior players for him to lean on at Sandy Park, but he also has some world class expertise to call on closer to home.
Former Wales and double Lions skipper Sam Warburton has been exactly where Tshiunza is now and has been a constant source of encouragement to the latest cab off the sporting rank at Whitchurch High School.
“Sam and I are in close contact and text each other quite frequently. He’s been in the background helping me out,” said Tshiunza. “Even before my first Premiership game we talked about matchday nerves, coming off the bench and what to do and what not to do. He also texted me after my Wales call-up.
“He has been a great help and even before I got to the Chiefs he came into school and gave me advice. Mr Williams (rugby master Steve Williams) called him in and introduced him to me.
“I’ve never done this before, so I don’t really know what to expect when I go into the Welsh camp. Jonny Hill has given me some advice and he said just go there and get involved. I’m not going to worry about what’s to come.”