Wales rugby captain Justin Tipuric coming to Croatia

Justin Tipuric (Photo: Wales Rugby Union)

ZAGREB, 29 November 2019 – Justin Tipuric (30), who was part of the Wales team which reached the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup in Japan last month, will visit Croatia next week.

Tipuric, whose grandfather was a Croat who moved to Wales after World War II, will arrive in the capital Zagreb on Monday as part of a three-day visit organised by the British Embassy in Zagreb and the Croatian Rugby Union. 

Tipuric will first visit the State Office for Sport before turning out at the Rugby Centre in the Zagreb suburb of Rudeš where he will go through some skill drills and mingle with local players and fans. He will be accompanied by his father Andy and they will also visit relatives around Zagreb during their stay. 

Justin’s grandfather, Dragutin, moved to Wales in 1945 but the Tipuric family’s connection with Croatia did not disappear. They regularly come to Croatia on vacation and to visit family, and in 2014, Justin got married in Dubrovnik. 

Two years ago, Tipuric visited the Nada Rugby Club in Split.

Although not a known name in Croatia, in his homeland Wales he has star-status alongside the likes of football stars Gareth Bale or Craig Bellamy.

Before he arrives in Zagreb, Tipuric, who has 72 caps for his country, will captain Wales against the Barbarians in Cardiff on Saturday. Tipuric was named captain by new Wales coach Wayne Pivac, who is a New Zealander with Croatian roots also.