Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem took some time off the film set to share his passion for rugby with RugbyPass TV ahead of the Rugby World Cup semi-final clash between Argentina and New Zealand.
Bardem, known for his acclaimed roles in films such as “No Country for Old Men,” spoke with Jim Hamilton on the sidelines of the exciting semi-final match and revealed his deep affection for the sport.
“I played for Spain,” Bardem proudly revealed. “I started when I was nine years old and continued playing until I was 23. I love it; it’s my passion.”
He went on to explain that, in the early days, rugby was a relatively obscure sport in Spain, drawing an interesting analogy: “Playing rugby in Spain is like being a bullfighter in Japan. It didn’t make any sense back then, but now, thank God, there is a lot of support in Spain for rugby.”
Bardem’s affinity for rugby extends beyond the thrill of the game; he admires the sport for its core values and ethics.
“It’s my favorite sport of them all because of the ethics, because of the union of the team, because of the respect for fellow players and the referees. The ethics of rugby are amazing.”
He did express his dismay at some of the negative crowd behaviors he’s observed, particularly the act of whistling when players are kicking.
“I don’t like lately that people are whistling when the players are kicking. We are better than that. We have a lot of lessons to give to the kids, and one of the things I love about rugby is the ethics – respect the kicker.”
When it came to discussing his playing days, Bardem revealed that he primarily occupied the position of a tighthead prop. He humorously added, “I was a prop, believe it or not, a small prop, number three. My brother Carlos and I, we were called ‘los mendrugos,’ which is the hard part of the bread.”
While the 54-year-old actor clearly cherishes his rugby memories, he acknowledged that his current preference lies in the world of filmmaking.
“First of all, I don’t have a train wreck coming towards me of 140 kilos for me to tackle. I feel way, way safer making a movie than being there for one minute!”
Bardem couldn’t help but praise the quarter-final match between Ireland and New Zealand, reflecting on the changes he’s witnessed in rugby over the years.
“When I played, maybe if I was lucky I touched the ball three or four times. Thirty-six phases Ireland played at the end of the match [against New Zealand]! I was so nervous – ‘Don’t drop the ball!’ It was one of the most amazing rugby matches ever.”
Javier Bardem’s journey from the rugby field to Hollywood is a testament to the diverse passions and experiences that shape an actor’s life beyond the silver screen.