By Luke Hawkins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx1FNhXYhH4
A WELSH rugby physio has told of his fascinating eight-year association with the Fiji national team.
The South Sea Islanders, now coached by former Cardiff boss Gareth Baber, were in Cardiff this month for their autumn clash with Wales which they lost 38-23.
And in their camp was Aberavon medic Brian Downey, who had his club colleague Osian Griffiths by his side.
Downey also had international experience with Ireland and Tonga but had to take a step back to make sure he was able to look after his family.
He said of his unique journey: “A long time ago I emigrated to Australia and did my physiotherapy degree in Australia,
“I met a Welsh girl and came back to Swansea after initially going back to Galway in Ireland.
“I only had intentions of staying there for a year and I got a job with Connacht Rugby.
“That was my first full-time professional sports physiotherapist job.
“I had done some professional sport back in Australia, I got the job (at Connacht) and loved it.”
Downey explained how this led to jobs on the international stage.
He added: “One of the coaches there was an Australian by the name of John McKee.
“In 2012 he was the technical advisor to Tonga during their Churchill Cup campaign and I hadn’t long finished professional rugby at that time, I decided to give them a hand.
“It was a successful tour and two years later he got the job of Fiji head coach.
“On their Northern tour they needed an extra pair of hands and he asked me if I would help.
“I have been with them for eight years now and went to the 2015 World Cup in London with them.”
Downey says he has benefitted from the experience of being involved in the international game and with the people he has worked with for years.
“Their head medical therapist, William Koong, I think is the heart-blood of Fijian rugby,” he said.
“He has been my friend, mentor and colleague for a significant number of years.
“It was nice to give him feedback and mentoring in some areas as he has with me.
“He appreciated that I brought different ideas in from Australia and the UK and it’s the same with the staff.
“I’m getting the benefit from being able to go on the national tours.
“I miss rugby full time, I had a month in Fiji a few years ago and four or five weeks in the South of France.”
In his full time club career, Downey went from the Cornish Pirates, where he also worked with McKee, to working for the Ospreys from 2006 for a few seasons.
He then moved on to Worcester before deciding that he could no longer spend so much time away from his family.
HIs story is an example of how great opportunities could be around the corner for those who work hard enough and keep trying.