Brent Cockbain, a key figure in Wales' 2005 Grand Slam triumph and a British and Irish Lions tourist, has revealed his life after rugby involves driving massive trucks and excavators at an opencast coal mine in Queensland, Australia.
Cockbain, who won 24 caps for Wales, left the UK in 2010 after a career that included spells at Pontypridd, the Ospreys, and Sale. He had been living back in his native Australia for nearly a decade when WalesOnline tracked him down at his home in Airlie Beach in 2019.
A New Career Down Under
Speaking about his post-rugby life, Cockbain explained he initially picked fruit on a friend's farm in north Queensland for six months before buying a 31ft catamaran and sailing up and down the coast for a couple of years. It was at a party in Innisfail, where he grew up, that a friend suggested he and his wife apply for jobs in the coal mines.
"My wife and I drive these big trucks, excavators, all that sort of stuff," he said. "To put it in perspective, the fuel tanks on the biggest ones are about 6,500 litres. I'm 6ft 8ins and I don't come up to the centre of the tyre!"
The mine is described as about 300 metres deep and 27 kilometres long. Cockbain works five days on and five days off, driving 300 kilometres to the site and staying in a camp before returning to Airlie Beach, which he calls "the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands".
Tragedy and Difficult Times
Cockbain's time in Wales was marked by personal tragedy. In September 2004, his one-year-old son Toby passed away following a battle with a brain tumour. Cockbain and his family set up a foundation in Toby's memory, raising money for the hospital for sick kids.
"I felt I dealt with it really well at the time," he recalled. "We had great support from the public and hopefully did some good doing that. I think, at the time, it helped me through that period."
He also reflected on the end of his Wales career in 2007, saying it "left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth". He criticised then-coach Gareth Jenkins for not calling him to say he was not in the World Cup squad, describing it as "bloody dreadful".
Pride in Playing for Wales
Despite the difficulties, Cockbain spoke fondly of his seven-year stint in Wales, which began in 2000 after being signed by Pontypridd coach Richie Collins. He qualified for Wales on residency grounds and made his debut in 2003.
"Playing for Wales just kind of happened," he said. "My expectations were zero. When Steve Hansen called me to tell me I was in the World Cup squad I couldn't believe it."
He played in every match of the 2005 Grand Slam campaign, scoring a try against Italy and recalling a memorable hit on Ireland's Ronan O'Gara in the decider. "He got annoyed because I was still holding on to him on the ground and he tried to kick and punch me. It was fine, I was doing my job."
The Lions Call-Up
Cockbain was called up as a replacement for the 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand after Danny Grewcock was sent home for biting. He was out fishing on his father's boat when he heard the news on the radio.
"I flew to Sydney, then caught a connecting flight through to Wellington," he said. "I just had enough time to drop my bags in the hotel lobby, walk across to the marina, hop on a helicopter and fly up to Manawatu."
He described meeting Sir Clive Woodward and joining the squad without any pre-tour training, saying: "Suddenly you are in the same room with them with a common goal. It was quite a strange thing."
