From Niue to new Wales cap - James' Pacific heritage

ByGareth Rhys Owen

BBC Wales Sport

Kane James' first Wales cap is rooted in a family story that stretches from Pembrokeshire to the tiny island of Niue in the Pacific Ocean.

There are fewer than 2,000 people on the island, one of the world's most isolated communities.

More than 1,500 miles of ocean separate it from New Zealand, with just a single flight a week reaching its shores.

Few places seem further removed from Welsh rugby, yet it is impossible to tell the story of Wales' newest international without starting there.

"It's quite an inspiring story, isn't it, really?" 21-year-old James told the Scrum V Podcast.

"How my parents ended up meeting each other and coming to Wales is pretty inspiring. It's such a cool heritage."

James' story begins in Wales. His family's does not.

The Exeter Chiefs back-row was born in Pembrokeshire while his parents were staying with his paternal grandparents but he grew up in Cardiff and learnt his rugby at St Peter's RFC.

His father, Chris, enjoyed a distinguished career in Welsh club rugby before moving into coaching.

It was rugby that first brought Kane's parents together.

Chris travelled to Australia to play while Kane's mother, Audrey, had left Niue seeking work. The pair met on the other side of the world before settling in Wales.

"They somehow met each other and he brought her back to Wales," James added.

"She hasn't been back to Niue since she left - 21 years ago."

James has never visited his mother's home but the island remains a proud part of his identity, even forming the basis for the celebrations of his 21st birthday earlier this year.

"My mum was really getting into all the traditions," he said.

"We had loads of traditional cloths everywhere. We had a pig, like a classic hog roast, and all the classic foods that they eat over there."

The traditions continued after James won his first cap with his mother sending over a special necklace to be presented to her son in the changing room after the game to commemorate his heritage.

One day, he hopes to make the journey to Niue himself.

Back in Cardiff, rugby became the family business.

Chris coached Kane through his formative years at St Peter's, one of Cardiff's strongest junior clubs.

"We had a super team," he recalls. "A lot of us started there but we were pretty good growing up, so a lot of people wanted to join us as well."

There is another rugby player in the family too.

Kane's younger sister, Crystal, was named in the Wales squad to face the Barbarians earlier this summer.

At 16, James left Cardiff for Sedbergh School in Cumbria because there was no sixth form at Corpus Christi in the Welsh capital.

"I didn't know anyone in the school. It's four hours from Cardiff, so it can be quite daunting," he explained.

"But I actually found it quite easy. The people were really welcoming there."

That move eventually led him to Exeter Chiefs and, naturally, into England's Under-20 set-up.

Like many talented young Welsh players who continue their education across the border, it became the obvious pathway.

For James, it was never about turning his back on Wales.

"It was probably the thing that was best for my development," he said.

"Our Chiefs defence coach was the England Under-20s defence coach and it seemed like a really good system. It was quite an easy transition into that as well."

Growing up, rugby reflected both sides of his family.

"My mum would always be supporting the All Blacks. My dad would be supporting Wales," he explained.

"When the All Blacks were playing, I'd have an All Blacks shirt on.

"When Wales were playing, I'd have a Welsh shirt on. I got a little blend of both of them there."

The conversation that changed everything happened over coffee.

Early this season, Wales head coach Steve Tandy travelled to Exeter to meet James in person.

"He's been really good communicating with me," James revealed.

"He's been sending me clips of my games and stuff to work on. He kept that communication alive and that was something that was really important in my decision."

When the call finally came inviting him into the Wales squad, James already knew his answer.

"I was pretty ecstatic," he said.

"I had to make a few phone calls to my dad and my agent, and they were pretty ecstatic as well.

"I told him pretty much the next day that, yeah, I'm going to commit to Wales."

Saturday meant far more than a Test debut.

"It [was] probably the proudest moment for my dad," he said. "My family back in Fishguard, I think that would mean the world to them."

His grandfather grew up on a farm outside Fishguard and, James says, "couldn't actually speak English until he was about 13... he's proper Welsh".

These days, wherever rugby takes their son, his mother and father are rarely far behind.

He said: "Both my parents have been to every game I've played this season.

"They came to Paris both times. My dad came to South Africa... they come everywhere."

Last weekend his father made the 7,000-mile journey to watch him pull on a Wales jersey for the first time, while his mother held a party for family and friends near Cardiff.

James replaced Aaron Wainwright - who had made his Wales debut in San Juan eight years ago - for the final 14 minutes.

There were a couple of false starts as James sprinted onto the field, only to be temporarily called back.

That typified the energy Tandy has recognised in James and his on-field cameo demonstrated why he has been identified as Wales' newest back rower.