Dodge, one of the many 'Johnny Foreigners' to grace the pixels of the Fern, English to the core, born with the St George Cross branded on his heart!

Forum member number 268. 

Describe yourself in 25 words or less:   Never shy with an opinion, will give anything a go, love a good story - starring in or telling and will buy literally anyone a drink, even Dav.

What international rugby team do you support and why?  England, I'm English, what other reason could there be?!  I suppose France are my second team and I'd support them against anyone else, it might be purely because they don't speak English so don't have as much opportunity to wind me up.

What Super 14 team do you support and why?  Harlequins (bloody Kiwi centric site).  I'll never forget the first time I heard of S12 (never connected it with S10 for some reason), I assumed it was a newfangled Southern Hemisphere rugby hybrid that involved no back row forwards whatsoever.  I thought it was yet another Australian attempt to turn rugby into league.

What's the biggest challenge facing rugby?  the player drift North is the biggest threat to international rugby, but I don't blame the clubs, I think its a pretty inevitable consequence of professionalism.  Professionalism and the now obsession with growing the game and making more money are threatening all aspects of what has made rugby special.  Changing the game for the sake of people who don't currently like it is also my biggest bug bear, its my game, if you don't like it now, sod off and watch football.

Who was the game's greatest ever player?  Its an impossible question to answer because it depends on what your criteria are, plus I'm only 30 so haven't seen many of the greats except on highlight reels.  However, I can say comfortably that I always wanted to be Serge Blanco - so he's my favourite, if not the greatest.  Its also tough to forget the hackles raising effect that Lomu had every time he touched the ball.

How about non-NZ players? Who were/are the greatest?  Always tough for me to go past Johnson, the best captain i've ever seen, if not the best lock.

The best match you have ever seen?  For quality and drama, the 1st Bledisloe game in 2000, for sheer emotional turmoil, the 2003 RWC final. 

The best try you have ever seen?  Saint Andre's try against England at Twickenham in 1991, typical France starting a move from behind their own line.

What position did you play, if you played, in rugby?  Scrum half, and yes, I was the mouthy little shit you all love to hate.  In other words, I was the brains.

What do you like about the Silverfern?  Its a place to talk rugby where not every thread immediately splits along national lines full of knowledgeable fans passionate about their game.  Having been on the site for 5 years, I've met a few of the lads a few times, not a git to be found so far.  However its still bloody difficult explaining to other people how you met...

How could the site be improved?  We could do with a few more balanced Johnny Foreigners to drown out some of the chippy Kiwi bastards

Who's your favourite poster?  Don't have a favourite, but its tough to look past people like Mogwai, PDP and Voyeurs (all be it the last two are missing at the moment).  Anyone who can stay relatively sensible in the face of what can be pretty serious provacation from time to time and maintain a rational and well reasoned stance in a debate more than earns my respect.

Who's the worst poster?  There are a few around who bring their tiresome prejudices into every thread no matter what the subject and manage to make everything England's fault. 

How could the game of rugby be improved?  Reduce the number of test matches between the top 8 sides, lets bring the mystique back.  Once the game has kicked off, I think things are pretty good and not much needs to change, however, if we brought back rucking, we wouldn't need half of the newfangled laws that are being bandied around every five minutes.

What rugby player would you turn gay for?  I'd turn gay to avoid some of the frankly horrifying heffers in the England Womens Rugby team, but if I had to pick one, well, Olly Barkley's a good looking lad...

Non-rugby questions now:

Favourite music?  Have massively eclectic taste that is entirely dependent on mood, but you can't beat sitting in the sun with mates, supping a beer listening to the Chili Peppers. 

Favourite book?  I read non stop so picking one is bloody tough, Into Thin Air is one of the best books I've ever read I reckon.

Favourite Film?  Bit cliched to say the Shawshank Redemption so I'll say The Godfather (controversially, I think its better than the sequel).  Besides, if I say White Men Can't Jump you'll just think I'm moronically shallow (it is awsome though)

Biggest lifetime regret?  Not studying architecture and now being stuck in an industry full of pricks like me who can't actually do anything.

Greatest hope?  Bring me fun, bring me sunshine.... bring me love.