By David Williams
Jake Ball’s decision to put family ahead of Welsh rugby has been backed by his coaches at the Scarlets and with Wales.
The 29-year-old second row will leave Welsh rugby at the end of the season to live with his wife and four children in Australia, a decision that has been reluctantly approved by his regional boss Glenn Delaney as well as Wales coach Wayne Pivac.
Dai Sport revealed in November that Ball had not seen his wife and three kids for the three months prior to the autumn Tests as his wife, Christie, was expecting their fourth child and the Wales players were expected to live in a Codiv-19-secure bubble.
The family had moved to Perth, in Australia – where Ball was raised – in the summer to gain help from a wider support network and just before the match against England, Ball’s fourth child, Max was born.
Now, with his family settled in Australia, Ball – who has 49 Wales caps – has taken the tough decision to join them down under and end his long stay with the Scarlets.
Jake Ball Hasn’t Seen His Kids Since The Summer . . . No Wonder He’ll Have An Edge When He Faces England https://t.co/Ta1d9CygqB via @Dai_Sport_
— Graham Thomas (@Graham_Thomas) November 27, 2020
It means he will no longer be able to play at international level as he does not have the required 60 caps to play club rugby abroad and also represent Wales under Welsh Rugby Union rules.
Scarlets head coach Glenn Delaney said: “As a club we fully respect Jake’s decision. Family is a massive part of the Scarlets and Jake has sacrificed a huge amount being away from Christie and his children for so long.
“He has been a wonderful servant for the Scarlets, an outstanding player, a great bloke around the group and has been a fantastic mentor to the young players who are coming through.
“You saw by his performance against the Ospreys on Boxing Day what playing for the Scarlets means to him and let’s hope we can have some supporters back into Parc y Scarlets by the end of the season to give him the send-off he deserves.”
Ball discussed the situation with Pivac during the autumn series and the New Zealander also accepted that the move had to be made.
“It has been a difficult decision to make but one I have made for the family,” said Ball, who plans to move to Australia in July after nine years with the Scarlets.
— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) December 29, 2020
“My wife was expecting our fourth child and with Covid around and players having to be in bubbles, we made the decision she and the kids should go home to have some family help and support around her. Max was born last month. There have been Zoom calls and things, but I haven’t seen him yet and it has been difficult. As the season goes on, it would be pretty tough of me to ask Christie to come back here away from her family again.
“It has been a fantastic nine seasons I have been here. I love the Scarlets and playing with Wales has been unbelievable and something I will never forget.
“It has been a massive honour to represent my country, but at the end of the day I made a huge sacrifice in staying behind for a year without my family.
“I have four kids now and I won’t have seen them for close on a year.”
Ball was born in Ascot, but moved to Australia with his parents when he was 17. He has four young children and qualified to play for Wales through his Welsh-born father. He made his Test debut in 2014.
Wales head coach Pivac now has to decide whether to keep Ball – who the Scarlets say will leave at the end of the season – involved for the 2021 Six Nations. After that, he will no longer be available for selection.
Ball said: “I owe a lot to the Scarlets and Welsh rugby. I was at the Western Force before, but it was the Scarlets who gave me my first real shot in senior rugby and it will be nice to finish off on a high and reward the Scarlets for everything they have done for me over the years.
“I have some very special memories and have got to do some fantastic things. We have won the PRO12, made a European semi-final, there has been a Grand Slam and two World Cups with Wales. I have no regrets with what I have done here.
“I am just hoping we can have supporters back at Parc y Scarlets before the end of the season. It would be great to have them here so I can say my farewells properly.”
Scarlets general manager of rugby Jon Daniels added: “When Jake was identified and brought into the club by Gareth Jenkins he was completely unknown and untried. Since then he has shown total commitment to his development and has been rewarded with a fine career. He is an example of what can be achieved when professionalism and ability combine.
“He is a great Scarlet and we wish him, Christie and the children the very best for the future. Jake will leave with our total respect for the decision he has made and gratitude for his contributions both on and off the field.”
