Rees the happy hooker fights off cancer

The nickname Wales hooker Matthew Rees earned while playing at Pontypridd perhaps, in part, explains how he overcame one of life's great afflictions.

Rees, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in October, has made a remarkable recovery that says as much about his fighting spirit as it does of his take-it-in-his-stride disposition that earned him the moniker "Smiler".

After surgery and chemotherapy, Rees returned to the Cardiff Blues side in March. Such was his impact that Wales coach Warren Gatland picked him for the touring side.

Rees was named on the bench for yesterday's test in Durban, in full expectation of adding to his 58 test caps.

His last test was against Ireland in February last year, but then his world changed.

"It's been mentally challenging as well as physically challenging," he told Walesonline. "Rugby gives you certain values and that's probably carried me through the last six months.

"When you are going through something as severe as that, sometimes you have got to be selfish and do what you think is best. I did and I don't regret anything I've done over the last five or six months. The family support has been great, as well as from friends and the whole rugby nation. That shows what rugby gives you right through the world. I am just glad of the support and it's made that five or six months a lot easier to deal with."

Rees is used to setbacks. He captained Wales to another Six Nations crown in 2011 before a neck injury ruled him out of the 2011 World Cup. Sam Warburton was named captain, and the flanker, who is ruled out of this tour, hasn't looked back.

Getting back into the test squad within a year after being diagnosed with cancer has attracted Rees numerous admirers, not least Gatland.

The New Zealand-born coach paid tribute to the hooker after his recall to the national squad.

"He looks in great physical shape, probably the best I've seen him in. It is a great story in terms of what he has had to go through. He's had to dig deep. You've got to take your hat off to him. It is a credit to him as a person. Having an operation and chemotherapy really puts sport into perspective."