Summer special with Gareth Baber: “I recognise more now what it takes to be a top performer.”

Beyond the Breakdown is a podcast rooted in Wales’ rugby clubs, with legends sharing stories of life in and beyond the game, and the challenges facing our communities and clubs. As Wales prepare to take on Fiji, our Summer special features a Welsh coach with some amazing stories from that remarkable and inspiring rugby country. We are talking to Gareth Baber, a coach and former player whose career has taken him from Pontypridd (where he played alongside Rich) to Olympic gold with Fiji and plenty more in between. As a coach, Baber has gone global with spells with Wales Under 20s, Cardiff Blues, Hong Kong Sevens, and five years at the helm of the Fiji Sevens side that won gold at the Olympics. He’s just won promotion with French side Nissa in the latest chapter of this adventurous career. In this episode Gareth reflects on everything from why clubs are so special to Welsh life and the game to the unique stories from his time coaching in Fiji. It was a fascinating conversation with someone who has seen the game from almost every angle, thinks deeply about it and never loses sight of where it all started. We really hope you enjoy it as much as we did!