Montgomery rugby star seriously injured in World Cup assault
Tom Williams, a former Welshpool High School pupil from Montgomery, scored the golden try as Wales beat Samoa 24-19 on Saturday, but within minutes he, and two teammates, were allegedly assaulted in the tunnel by opposition player Gordon Langkilde.
It is reported that Tom, 22, was hospitalised with serious facial injuries, thought to be a broken nose and cheek, and Langkilde was immediately suspended by the Samoan Rugby Union for the final day of the championship.
The incident has warranted a full investigation from World Rugby and the San Francisco police department who arrested the Samoan at the players’ hotel on Sunday. The Welsh Rugby Union said that no Welsh player is facing any sanctions for the incident.
Williams’ teammate Luke Treharne told The Independent: “There was an incident. I am not sure how much I can say but a couple of our boys were pretty seriously injured at the end of it, and the police are involved.
“It was shock. When everything comes out you will see all the details of it – it is pretty shocking stuff.
“There was absolutely nothing at all, nothing really sparked it – it was unprovoked. It was nasty stuff to see. Even after that (extra-time win) the boys shook hands, we thought that was the end of it but there was nothing, no niggle in the game.”
Langkilde surrendered to police without incident at his hotel on Sunday just after 1pm, according to police. His bail is set at $100,000. He has been arrested on suspicion of assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury and battery with serious bodily injury.
Tom has become established as one of Montgomeryshire’s brightest ever sports stars following a glorious youth rugby career that has developed into the professional game with Ospreys and Wales, for whom he is a regular in the Sevens team. He played his early rugby with Newtown Rugby Club.
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