Forum member number 769

What international rugby team do you support and why?  All Blacks, born & raised there, but I have a soft spot for the Samoans too.

What Super 14 team do you support and why?  The Blues, grew up supporting Auckland so even tho’ they are consistently under-performing brain-dead glory boys coached by idiots I still back them.

What's the biggest challenge facing rugby?  International transfers, anytime you end up with half of SA sitting out the qualification period in England or the Japanese team being half Kiwi you have issues. Ditto the fact that Argentina & Samoa have to ask the English clubs if its ok to borrow their players. 

Who was the game's greatest ever player?  Tempted to say someone like Fitzy or Cullen, but I’ll go with guys who showed commitment & coped shit & still got stuck in without wanting to be a media whore – so it’s a toss up between Ruben Thorne and Anton Oliver. Players who put their country & club above their ego & hairstyle.

How about non-NZ players? Who were/are the greatest? Horan, Gregan, Dalaglio, Sella, Blanco.

The best match you have ever seen?  Anyone of half a dozen Bledisloes, 88, 92, 94, 2000 etc.

The best try you have ever seen? Probably the dirty French v NZ in 94.

What position did you play, if you played, in rugby? 2nd five, then when it was realized that small white boys & the centres in South Auckland rugby don’t work, 1st five, then when it was realized that 1st fives who can’t kick don’t work, halfback, then when it was realized that halfbacks who can’t pass right don’t work… um… soccer. 

What do you like about the Silverfern?  People are quite open to modify their stance & you get some good debates, actually learn a bit, that & pretty much all the interesting stuff happening in all the topics I’m interested in are on here, you can get a one hit of all that’s new in cricket & rugby from the one spot. I also like the way that a topic will be debated on here & then a day later some journo will write an article on that topic in the press. We don’t just discuss the news, we prompt it!

How could the site be improved?  Pretty much fine as it is I reckon, maybe a weekly “grill the press” thread where some journalist comes on & we hold him to account. Start with Jones & Ratrae

Who's your favourite poster?  Any of the ones who post stuff that makes you think “oh yeah! That’s a good point” – guys like Dodge, Kirwan, Jury, Duluth, Hooroo, Barnya

Who's the worst poster?  No one really pisses me off, one of the good points is you’ll have a rant an someone on one topic then completely agree with each other on another one. I guess anyone who doesn’t add something with their post, just tries to score points, or anyone who tees off at a newbie. 

How did you pick your user name?  After midnight I can be a little unpredictable apparently, and height wise I’m pretty close 

How could the game of rugby be improved?  Rucking, lots & lots of rucking, you want fast ball all you need to do is ok it for people to ruck the shit out of you if you lay on it. All Blacks in the 80’s got fast ball.

What rugby player would you turn gay for?  Justin Marshall, if ever there was a player who deserved to be shafted very hard in the back door its that up himself little prick & if I have to do it myself so be it!

Non-rugby questions now

Favourite music?  Still struggle to go past Cold Chisel.

Favourite book?  American Tabloid by James Elroy.

Favourite Film?  Millers Crossing.

Biggest lifetime regret?  Not being available for NZ cricket now, I’d get in I reckon.

Greatest hope?  NZ cricket to get someone in the top order who can bat, that & the AB’s will get an on field brains trust who can run a game intelligently, it’s a long time till Aaron Mauger comes back.