A member of the Fern since February 2004, Volty is the man to see if you want some dodgy betting tips.  Has graduated to being a moderator, and is a grumpy bastard who won't suffer fools gladly.  Which makes him a perfect mod really...

Forum member number 783.

Describe yourself in 25 words or less:  Young, fast, handsome, pretty, and can’t possibly be beat. Except when I choke in crucial moments.'

What international rugby team do you support and why?  All Blacks. I have a begrudging respect for Sweden as well having met two Swedish internationals in my time.

What Super 14 team do you support and why?  The Highlanders, for my sins, particularly now that they have a decent coach in place.

What's the biggest challenge facing rugby?  Removing the apathy from the lower levels and getting people back out on the field. Some of the club competitions in the smaller provinces are teetering on the brink of collapse.

Who was the game's greatest ever player?  Predictable, but it’s gotta be Michael Jones

How about non-NZ players?  Who were/are the greatest? I was always a Philippe Sella fan, while Tim Horan always impressed ever since his debut in 1989. I had a soft spot for Simon Geoghegan too.

The best match you have ever seen?  For being at the ground, it’s a toss-up between Otago’s 19-10 win over the Springboks on a sodden Carisbrook in 1994, or the ABs getting up with a Mealamu try to beat the Springboks 31-27 in 2005.

The best try you have ever seen?  Probably not the best considering the opposition, but as an 8-year-old, I was utterly captivated with rugby from the moment I saw JK’s 90-metre effort against Italy in 1987.

What position did you play, if you played, in rugby?  As a youngster, I generally played fullback, until I gave up when I got to high school due to back problems. When I got back into it again in the university social grades, I ended up all over the place, but because I was a scrawny bugger, I was often thrown up at lock

What do you like about the Silverfern?  We delve down into the local and provincial stuff that you don’t find on other forums. While there’s some overt bias at times, that’s all about the passion and you can’t fault that

Who's your favourite poster?  Mr Mike is all too rare with his appearances; Hooroo because he has excellent taste in punting; MvJ who also likes the standardbreds and is missed for his rants; and Bartman as he seems to be able to sum up what the rest of us are thinking in a straightforward manner

Who's the worst poster?  Davidav. It’s like debating with a loud, obnoxious brick wall. Plus anyone who asks questions without making an effort to find out the information for themselves

How did you pick your user name?  It was a little summer job of mine involving spandex, not enough Dutch courage and Otago’s cricketing venues

How could the game of rugby be improved?  Clean the breakdown situation up. Either allow hands in the ruck or get stricter on offenders

What rugby player would you turn gay for?  Is it wrong for me to say Paul Tito?

Non-rugby questions now

Favourite music?  Bob Dylan, Crowded House, Liam Finn, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Gomez

Favourite book?  Anything by Bill Bryson, Mud In Your Eye by Chris Laidlaw and Old Heroes by Warwick Roger

Favourite Film?  Out Of The Blue (despite the theme), Trainspotting, Eagle Vs Shar k

Biggest lifetime regret?   Turning down my girlfriend for some loving in 6th form before dumping her, only for her to come back in 7th form having grown a delightful set of boobies.

Greatest hope:  That I manage to keep my hairline somewhere around the same spot on my forehead for the next decade. And that I succeed in my career and perhaps get a little more fiscally prudent. That said, I’d like any horse I’m about to get involved with to win a race or two next season.