Scarlets legend Regan King has spoken candidly about the gambling problem he says he struggled with throughout his playing career.
The All Black is widely viewed as one of the finest overseas players to have graced Welsh rugby, with his majestic passing and ability to create space for others stamping him as a centre of rare class. He could beat opponents with his eyes and befuddle an entire defensive system with a mere flick of a wrist. Team-mates relished playing alongside him and coaches enjoyed working with him, with the former Scarlets director of rugby Phil Davies once saying: "I would pay to watch him train."
But away from the public eye issues were plaguing King.
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After he finished playing, there were difficulties adapting to life away from the game. He told BBC’s Scrum V programme he’d moved to Australia and had therapy and rehab as he confronted his ‘inner demons’.
Talking about the challenge of transitioning after playing, he said: “I found it tough. I wasn’t prepared for life after rugby. I thought I’d always be involved and just go straight into coaching, but the way things panned out, it wasn’t to be.
“I struggled all through my career with gambling.
“At the time, I didn’t know how to communicate it, talk [about] it and, to be honest with you, I was just in my own little world. As long as I was playing well at footy, no-one really cared about it.
“It wasn’t until life outside of rugby…I had a pretty traumatic time leaving after Neath, and then things slowly started to turn for me.
“I started to work on myself. I moved to Perth in Australia and had to face my inner demons, I guess, and confront things and just start talking it out, going to therapy, going to rehab, being able to communicate with my partner, who I’m now with and she’s been a rock for me, giving me a reason for wanting to turn things around.
“I’ve been in Australia working on that and the last two-and-a-half years have been really productive for me and for her.”
He said coming back to Wales had allowed him to touch base with people he hadn’t spoken to for a while.
“It’s just finding that next part of my career and things after rugby,” he added.
King was praised by fellow Scrum V guests Chris Horsman and James Hook, with Hook saying the ex-midfield man talking about such issues could help others.
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