Willem Alberts, affectionately known as "The Bone Collector" to his supporters, started his career at the Emirates Lions before joining the Sharks and Stade Français. He returned to the Emirates Lions in 2020 and recently announced his retirement from rugby at the end of the current season.
“There is always a lot of emotions involved in rugby. I think for the last five years I’ve been playing my last season, so I am quite used to it by now,” Alberts said.
“I think since I’ve been back at the Lions I have helped the guys a lot with adapting to the European playing style so it’s definitely not for the once-off game, it’s been for the last three years. It has made a difference and you can see in the way we have adapted to the European competitions."
“We have to do our best and make sure we have more points on the board. ”
Alberts said that he will now hope to end things off on a high, admitting that whatever happens will happen and there is nothing left for him to achieve over his final few games.
“I just want to enjoy every single game when I get the opportunity. When you are at the end of your career it hits harder a bit, every time you walk onto the field you feel like it might be your last one."
“You never want to go onto a field and walk off and feel that you didn’t give everything for your team and teammates."
“I just try my best every single game and try to help the team wherever I can, whether it is playing or not playing, I go out having the most fun I can have.”
Asked what was the highlight of his career at the Emirates Lions Alberts said: “There have been a lot of enjoyable moments on and off the field. The highlight and the one I enjoy the most is definitely when they let me kick to poles."
