Joined:  July 22nd, 2007.
Forum member number:  2593

Describe yourself in 25 words or less:
I know everything and nothing. I'll give you good advice but rarely take it myself. I look for the positives in life but often embrace the negatives. I'm always right but I know when I'm wrong.

What international rugby team do you support and why?
England, my England. Sometimes it's a hard road to follow. Every game in international rugby is a grudge match when it comes to England. The Calcutta Cup against the Sweaties is 'special, England vs Wales is 'the one they really want to win', against the French it's 'Le Crunch' and with the Paddies it's their payback for centuries of oppression. And then there's NZ and Oz - both desperate to put one over 'Old Empire'. It never ends, even the Zulus get in on the act when it comes to England vs the Boks. But you know what? "Everybody hates us - and we don't care (® Millwall FC).

What Super 14 team do you support and why?
The Blues. As a Spurs supporter in Premiership soccer I'm strangely drawn to Auckland. Inspirational one week, but a useless bunch of show-ponies the next. You never know what you are going to get with Spurs and I feel it is the same way with the Blues.

What's the biggest challenge facing rugby?
I worry that the desire for new TV audiences is damaging the nature of the game via experimentation with the laws. I fear club and grassroots rugby will suffer as players turn their back on the bastardised hybrid between League and Gridiron that we seem to be hurtling towards. I think it's instructive that soccer has resisted attempts to change the way it is played (except for minor, well-conceived adjustments) and the game thrives across the world. Pro rugby should be careful what it wishes for.

Who was the game's greatest ever player?
Hard to say. I grew up in a time when you didn't have exposure to overseas players like you do now. I saw Michael Jones score in the corner at HQ in '91, right below my spot in the corporate boxes, but I couldn't say I knew a lot about him at the time. I always wanted to be Gareth Edwards when I was growing up. Sadly I've ended up looking like Gareth Chilcott instead. But hey ho. Edwards was the cheeky, nippy, jack-in-the-box that always seemed to pop up at exactly the right time on the pitch. He's my choice.

How about non-NZ players? Who were/are the greatest?
From an English perspective, you could make a good case for Martin Johnson in the modern era. But I will always go for Richard Hill, the back row assassin in Woodward's RWC-winning side. He not only had a superb engine but a great rugby brain too and could read the game like no other. He wasn't flash either and looked like someone who just loved playing the game for its own sake.

The best match you have ever seen?
The best match? The most gripping, captivating, soul-destroying, utterly uplifting game of all time for me was the 2003 RWC final between England and Oz. It wasn't a classic by any means but as an emotional thriller it was something I'll never forget. Time and time again I thought we were going to be denied but in the end we put the Aussies away on their own turf. Bloody marvelous.
I'll always have a soft spot for France vs NZ in THAT game in '99 too. I watched it alone on the sofa and ended up screaming at the telly with noone but me to hear.

The best try you have ever seen?
It has to be THAT try in the Barbarians match against New Zealand. It has everything. The jinking genius of Phil Bennett scrambling deep in his own half, the linking break from JPR, the rumbling off-loads from the big men close to the touchline and finally the searing pace from Edwards onto the pop pass to score in the corner. It goes the length of the field and sends a thrill every time a watch it.

What position did you play, if you played, in rugby?
All over really. I only started playing at 11 when I went to 'Big School' and was put on the wing. I gravitated to full back because I was one of the few who could tackle but my lack of pace was always a concern. To stay in the first team I had to convert to hooker because nobody wanted to play there and that was that the rest of my school career. I played prop too as I got older and fatter and occasionally back-row. I played league too and enjoyed the freedom forwards enjoyed in that code.

What do you like about the Silverfern?
I joined to site originally to wind up Kiwis but stayed around because I liked the different perspective on things and the obvious rugby knowledge being displayed. I detest jingoism and you can get a lot of that on English-centric rugby sites. Don't get me wrong, I like banter and respect passion and as many Ferners will know I'm partial to a good wind-up. But I'm naturally objective when it comes to analysing games and my opinions can often be misinterpreted (probably due to previous wind-ups) but I'm mostly genuine. I think TSF is a brotherhood that spans mere international boundaries. I met Kiwi Ferners on the Lions Tour in '05 and had a blast. I look forward to meeting more in 2011 if I make it down there.

How could the site be improved?
TSF has a chance to be more than a Kiwi rugby site and the RWC in 2011 could be the catalyst for that. I've said it to Bart beforehand, TSF could be a major resource for visiting fans to the tournament needing to tap into local knowledge. That could be a springboard for bigger things. It will take a lot of input and perhaps some investment but the benefits could be huge.
I enjoyed the TSF London drinks we had when Kirwan, Duluth and BSG were over here. Maybe we can all hook up in NZ at 'TSF Live!' in 2011?

Who's your favourite poster?
Oh lots. I like everyone until they say something stupidly insular and narrow-minded. The beauty of TSF is that it is like having a good chat in a bar after the game. What you don't want is someone being an arse.
Having said that, I always enjoy Mr Mike's bon mots and the humour of Mogwai and Fullermorg.

Who's the worst poster?
Me probably.

How could the game of rugby be improved?
Go back to basics and look at what made the game great to play. Rucking, rolling mauls, non-lifting in lineouts etc. Make the game available to all shapes and sizes, just like it used to be. Stop viewing it through the prism of TV.

What rugby player would you turn gay for?
Turning gay for anyone is not something I've ever envisaged, let alone a rugby player. But if you've got to take it in Cell Block 'A' from anyone then let it be one of the prettier ones like Dan Carter or St Johnny of the Blessed Drop Goal.

Non-rugby questions now:

Favourite music?
All sorts really. When I grew up you had two routes to take. Motown, Northern Soul, disco, jazz funk, house etc or prog rock, punk, new wave, etc. I went up the former if truth be told. These days I listen to anything but tend to find myself digging in the past for rare soul and blues.

Favourite book?
Larouse Gastronomique

Favourite Film?
Zulu.

Biggest lifetime regret?
So many, so many ...

Greatest hope?
To have retained most of my marbles by the time the Reaper finally calls.