Reds Rugby Rules: 2023 WORLD CUP (Special Edition)

It’s 2023 and I’m really excited that we’re gearing up for another Rugby World Cup!

I thought I’d continue the tradition and highlight all of the Reds players that have made it into this years squad. There are a number of incredible players from our Queensland side that have the privilege of wearing the green and gold jersey on the rugby's great stage, along with a few players in the “once a Red, always a Red” category!

I hope you enjoy reading this special edition of Reds Rugby Rules and that you join me in watching every game and supporting them every step of the way!

Tate McDermott

Tate is a player I’m very excited to see play in this years World Cup. I first interviewed him in 2018 and I could see his passion and love for the game AND his desire to wear the jersey that he has now made his own. In 2020, during my “lockdown” Zoom interview phase, he told me he hoped to play for the Wallabies and several months later, he made his debut! When Eddie Jones first took over as coach this year, Tate didn’t make it into squad. However, he made some sharp improvements in response and fought his way back into the team AND earned the vice-captaincy role.

Controversial opinion: Tate looks better without the mullet!

Jordan Petaia

Jordan shot to prominence in 2018 as the youngest Queensland Super Rugby player of all time (he was just over 18 years old). Since then, he has matured into a great player and will be a weapon for the Wallabies as he returns to his second World Cup!

Check out my 2018 and 2021 interviews with Jordan, to get to know him before the team kicks off! Look out for Jordan and Suli as they look to dominate in the air, looking for high balls.

Taniela Tupou

Affectionately known as the “Tongan Thor”, or “Nella” by his friends and teammates, one of the best props in the world has recovered from a serious achilles injury just in time. Fans are hoping he can find his best form in the World Cup - and I believe he can.

Check out my classic 2017 interview with him here.

Fraser McCreight

Fraser McCreight is a great number 7. He's had a stellar year so far, but I still think the best is yet to come for the young open side-flanker!

Check out my 2018 interview with Fraser here.

Suliasi Vunivalu

I had the pleasure of interviewing Suli at Wallabies camp last year, check out that conversation here.

A former NRL player, Suli has returned to the game he grew up playing in Fiji and many believe he hasn’t quite reached his peak yet. If he does during this World Cup, the results will be devastating.

Zane Nonggorr

I interviewed Zane back in 2021 during his first year at the Reds. Since then, in one sense, he’s been a “quiet achiever”, (he’s definitely not as loud as the other Queensland Number 3!). He has shot into the Wallabies squad this year and I can’t wait to see him do damage in the scrum and around the field in France!

Matt Faessler

I’ve yet to formally interview Matt during his time with the Reds, but I’ve enjoyed watching his rise and am stoked he’s been selected to travel to France!

Special Mentions

Once a Red - Always a Red

Samu Kerevi

One of Queenslands greatest, I, for one, am very happy the Giteau law has allowed him to play for the Wallabies. I believe he’s one of the best number 12s in the world and simply an awesome guy.

Check out my 2017 and 2019 interview with him!

James Slipper

James has maintained his spot in the Wallabies for a good 13 years which is a phenomenal achievement for any player, especially a forward. He was my first ever Reds Rugby Rules interview in 2017. (Check out my second interview here also.)

Izaia Perese

Blue? Like I said, once a Red, always a Red. Perese is very deserving of his spot in this years squad. Check out my 2018 interview with him here!

Carter Gordon

Even thought he currently plays for the Rebels, I am 100% a fan of this guy. I had the pleasure of interviewing him in 2020 while he was based at Ballymore. Queensland will claim Carter as our own any day :-).

LET’S GET BEHIND THIS TEAM.

The Wallabies have been labeled underdogs in this years competition. I think every Australian loves a good underdog story!  Let’s go boys.

Hanging Out with Harry Hoopert

Today, I was fortunate to catch up with Reds Prop Harry Hoopert during team training. Harry is recovering from a knee injury at the moment and as well as chatting about his rehab, I asked him about his time at Ballymore so far, his experience with “Australia A” last year and a few other things.

We had an awesome conversation. I hope you enjoy reading it!

What have you loved most about being here at Ballymore so far over the years?

Over the years… Probably my favourite thing is building the friendships with all my mates here. I think it’s my seventh year here. I came straight out of school, into the academy, won three back to back U-20s championships with the Queensland Reds, which was great, off the back of that I got my contract into a full-time programme. I think my second year, I got upgraded into the main squad and then signed a four-year deal. So I’m looking forward to hopefully resigning this year and building the future for the Queensland Reds.

I know that in many ways, rehab’s not fun… But what have you been learning in the midst of it?

I’d say the main learning point is overcoming the adversity of being injured. It’s a totally different mindset to being on the field. You’ve got to try and control your emotions and get through that hard point, when you’re in that dark space, when your injuries not going in the right direction. I’d say probably the last two months has been in that hard spot for me, when I’m trying to get onto the field for running and a couple of little set-backs just keep me back from running. So I’d say adversity, going from playing on the field getting into rehab has been a big step for me. I’ve learnt a lot over the last four months about myself and about how I can get better as a player as well.

What you have been up to during your down time?

On my off-time, I love my golf. I think I was playing off “seven” before I got injured, and the last two months, I’m down to “three” now. I love my golf.

Also, I’m trying to look for work after footy, so I’ve been trying to organise meetings with a few different companies and get some work experience, so I can figure out what I want to do after footy.

What did you enjoy most about being a part of the “Australia A” squad last year?

I learnt a lot of different things that I need to work on for my game - aspects from another coach, Jason Gilmore. He was here when I was in the Under-20s, with the academy, when we went back-to-back. So it was good to be with him again, he’s given me a lot of things to work on, such as the work-rate around the defence, getting back on the line, getting more technical with my tackling, that’s probably my biggest thing to work on I’d say. And obviously, playing with blokes that have different strengths to me, I got to learn off them and make myself better as a player.

It must have been good to have so many Reds boys in that squad.

Yes, definitely! We had 7 or 8 boys there from the Queensland Reds. I wouldn’t say we stuck together as a group, but we made ourselves pretty comfortable. We made a few different friendships, throughout the Aus-A. Me and Hamish have obviously been together since we were 10 or 12 years old, so it was good having him there as well.

Brothers is your rugby club here in Brisbane. Did you enjoy getting to put the club uniform on, before the Australia A call up?

Yes, definitely. Brothers was one of the first to reach out to me when I first left school, they billeted me out to a family and got me pretty stable in Brisbane, I’d obviously never lived here before. It’s always great going down to Brothers and playing with a few of the young fellas - they have an exciting game. I feel like it’s a bit more relaxing playing club footy, you can play your own game and have some fun. 

I was with you and the team for the pre-season Waratahs game in Dalby, back in 2020. How did you find heading back to your home town with your team mates, back then?

Yeah, that was a great experience. So we got our whole team out to our family home on the farm, we did a big cook-up, I think it was about 60 or 70 people all up. We put on a big spread, including briskets, steaks… we have a little tradition in our family, our backgrounds German and we make “wursts” [German sausages] every winter, so we brought that out and gave them a taste of our heritage.

It was really exciting for our town, we’ve never had that before. We had a good crowd there and I’m pretty sure we got the win too, which was great.

When do you think you’ll be suiting up again in my favourite colour?

Hopefully, I’ll be back next year. But this year for me, I’m just trying to get in the Brothers club finals, that’s my aim.

We’ll definitely be in the finals by the way.

I like to ask everyone this one - what’s your favourite post-game meal?

I probably shouldn’t be saying this, but I’d say the old Macca’s double Quarter-Pounder. (Laughs.) It’s pretty hard one to go by when you’re down at Suncorp, the Macca’s is just down the road.

I’m looking forward to seeing you play again as soon as possible! Thanks for the chat Harry. I’ll see you at Suncorp this Sunday arvo!

Yes, definitely! Thanks for the chat, really appreciate it. Good to be on the blog, can’t wait to read it!

The Reds kick off against the Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium, this Sunday at 3pm!

A Pre-Season Chat with Isaac Henry

The 2023 Super Rugby season is set to begin in the coming weeks. I am beyond excited, this season is set to be a cracking, fast paced tournament, with a few new rule changes!

I’ve have been lucky enough to head on down to a few of pre-season training sessions with the Reds! Seeing the teams talent, hard work and perseverance has given me lots to look forward to, come the first match against the Hurricanes.

Before the very close trial game between the Reds and the Waratahs last Saturday, I was able to catch up with Isaac Henry and pick his brains about his experience with rugby and the Reds. 

Hey Isaac, thanks for taking the time to chat today!

Q: Congrats on the Massive win against the force over the weekend (4/2/23). How is the team feeling after the trial round?

A: Yeah the team is good! You know it was a great one over in Perth against the Force. It was pretty hot conditions at 38 degrees, I think all of the boys got to test their lungs out in the minutes they played. It was a good hit out and it was sort of a stepping stone for us to launch into this year and hopefully we can give a good crack in 2023! 

Q: What’s your headspace heading into this weekends (11/2/23) trial game against the Waratahs?

A: Its another trial, so I think all of the boys are just keen to be back playing some footy. The Tahs have won the last two trials for the santos festival so hopefully we can get one back against them. All of the boys are super pumped and excited for this weekend against the Tahs.

Q: What has been some of your favourite experiences this far with the reds?

A:Probably my debut in Dunedin against the Highlanders, it was pretty cool. I’d never actually been to New Zealand before then, so to do the two legs on the plane and get 10 minutes off the bench, that was pretty special.

Also my starting debut against the Chiefs back in 2021 was awesome. Those two are probably my highlights.

Q: What are some of your goals for this season with the reds?

A: The first one is to hopefully play as many minutes as I can. Last year I was sort of hit with a few injury’s so that was pretty disappointing and unlucky. So this year I’m looking to get as much game time as I can. I’m also really looking forward to hopefully getting many more wins with the Reds and making this State as successful as we can. 

Q: Your home club is Wests, what are some of your favourite things about playing for this club? 

A: Honestly it’s probably the people, Wests has such a great culture, very inclusive and we’ve got blokes from all over that are happy to put on the doggy’s jersey

Coming out of school, I went to UQ and met some pretty good mates there. I ended up transitioning from there to wests and haven’t really looked back. I have had a really good time there and have loved every minute I’ve got to play with Wests. I love Wests, it’s a great culture and a great club.

Q: What were some of your rugby influences growing up?

A: I’d say as a young fullah, I used to play a lot of flyhalf, playing 10, so I looked up to Matt Giteau and a lot of Dan Carter even though he is a kiwi. As I got older, I really enjoyed watching Sonny Bill play as well as Samu Kerevi.

Q: Have you got any tips or advice for some young and upcoming players?

A: Just to stick with it. Rugby is a very short term thing. I think as long as you have got the enjoyment and you are willing to put in the work, I think you just have to stick with it. There is going to be injury’s along the way, but if you love something enough and you are willing to put your heart and soul into it, I think you’re going to go places.

Q: What are some of things you love to do in your down time? 

A: Funnily enough, I’ve gotten into golf in my down time over the last couple of years. So 2020 when Covid hit and we weren’t allowed to do anything, I picked up golf with my dad. I just loved it and it was such a good mental break. I love getting outside and hitting a few balls.

Q: What is your favourite post-training meal? 

A: I love an eye fillet steak, it’s probably one of my favourites - even a lasagne! That’s a great question. I’m a bit of a foodie, so if we were to really get into it, I’d probably have a few different suggestions. I’d definitely go for a steak though. 

Thanks again for chatting today Isaac, all the best with this season and I’m looking forward to seeing you play! 

How good, thanks Tom it was a good chat. Happy to jump on board and hopefully the Reds have a good year this year. I’m really looking forward to playing, great talking to you Tom.

From Prop to Pastor: A Conversation with Former Red Peni Volavola

As we edge closer to the Super Rugby Season, I was fortunate to be able to catch up with former Queensland Red and Fijian international Peni Volavola at a local cafe. During our interview, he shared about his rugby experiences as well as advice for players and former players. We had an awesome time together and I hope you enjoy reading our conversation as much as much as I enjoyed having it!

Hey Peni, thanks for taking time to catch up.

Thank you!

I love catching up with Reds players, past and present. Rugby has changed a lot of over the years. What are some of the most obvious changes to you?

One of the obvious changes is it’s really professional now. During our era, we were still “amateurs”. The younger players now are more professional in their approach, with the big money involved. Diet is also one thing, they have to see that they eat the right food, because their dietician will be there to check that they’re doing the right thing. Where as we would always go to “Big Maccers” (laughs). So food plays a big part in the professional era of rugby.

Another thing is the players are more disciplined now, because of things like sponsorship. The sponsors don’t want to support a team that’s second best. They want to put their money on a team that wins all the time. They want their culture to be a winning culture.

What’s your favourite memory, from playing at Ballymore?

Tom, I didn’t play many times for the Reds, I think I only played about four or five games with Queensland. I played quite a bit for Queensland B. But my best memory was beating Canterbury, from New Zealand. I was on the bench and I replaced - I think it was Matt Ryan, but that was a good experience. All the teams from New Zealand are all good teams… they love their rugby, they’re all hard rugby players… the Canterbury forwards were all playing for the All Blacks, so that was a good experience.

What else did you love most about your time with the Reds?

I really loved my time with the Reds, especially playing alongside great players. Players like Dan Crowley, David Nucifora, Matt Ryan (the prop), Bill Campbell, I was fortunate to go with him on my first tour for Queensland in 1990… Rod McCall, John Eels… We were new players on that tour, with John Eels. We went to England, where we played Northampton, on our way to France for the World Provincial Championship. Also, I was fortunate to play with Sam Scott-Young and Geoff Miller, David Wilson, and the backline was Peter Slattery and Michael Lynagh and you know Time Horan and Jason Little… Paul Carozza Mark Conners and Greg Martin - the teams fullback.

Do you find yourself at Ballymore much these days?

Yes, now and then I go and watch games there. I still love going there - it’s the traditional ground for the Queensland Reds.

You have played 11 games for Fiji. Can you remember the experience of what it’s like playing for your country?

Yes, thank you Tom. I first played for Fiji in 1985, that was my first ever tour, to Wales and Ireland! I played in the second test, against Wales.

I was also fortunate to represent Fiji at the first ever World Cup, in 1987. Fiji reached the quarter final. And also, I played at the second World Cup, in 1991. I really enjoyed my few years, representing my country. And man - going to the two world cups - I will never forget that!

That leads me straight to my next question! What was your favourite memory from playing in the World Cup events?

Favourite memories… 1987 was a difficult year because just before we went to the World Cup, Fiji had its first coup! So it was a difficult year. But we did our best to put aside what was happening back home and concentrate on playing rugby. I can say that because of our love for rugby, we put aside everything, enjoyed everything, and we made the quarter final.

Rugby completely changed people’s perspectives of what was happening back home. They heard us on the radio, and fortunately we got as far as we did and came 5th on the ladder.

Beating Argentina would be a favourite memory! There were four teams in the pool - we were in the same pool as New Zealand, Argentina and Italy. We beat Argentina, making us second in the pool. That’s why we were able to reach the quarter final.

What are some of the things you’ve done in your life, since you retired from rugby?

Since retiring from rugby, I went to Bible School and now I am a minister, or a pastor. I was working to support my family and studying for 6 years part-time… And after that, I looked after a church called Faith City Church for 15 years until last last year and now we are with Majestic Church. 

What advice would you give to younger players that are wanting to play rugby professionally?

Yeah - I’d say if you want to play professionally, if you are given a chance to play rugby, you should grab it with two hands. You have to look after yourself, because your rugby career, it’s short, without injuries, maybe 10-15 years, so you have to be disciplined with your body, with your training, and also with eating the right food as I said before. Also, it is good to be in a winning culture.

There’s two things that I can say - you can be an asset or a liability. The Queensland Reds want to see a player and say: “This guy: he’s a good player, he listens, he trains well, and he plays well, because he disciplined himself…” that is an asset.

But a liability… if you don’t listen to the coach, you don’t look after yourself, you’re always coming late to train, those things will make you a liability.

For example, Queensland Rugby, they’ll look at you and say “are you an asset, or are you a liability?” If you’re an asset, they’ll look after you. You’ll play better, and you’ll bring sponsors to come and support.

Whenever I talk to young rugby players, that what I talk to them about. Are you an asset or a liability.

If you are a liability, the coach and the manager will say “mate, thank you very much for your time, we don’t need you anymore.” But if you are an asset… they’ll renew your contract before it finishes. They’ll say “we would like Taniela Tupou to stay…” because he’s an asset. Samu Kerevi is an asset.

So remember those two words. Asset, or liability.

What advice would you give today’s professional rugby players, regarding life after rugby?

Life after rugby. Yes, that’s very important Tom. Most players now not only play rugby but are doing other courses also. Some are studying at uni… you can blend those two together, while you’re playing professional rugby. Because after professional rugby, there is a career for you. Your rugby career is short… without injury, it might be 10, 12 or 15 years. That’s why it’s important that you do something outside of rugby, study business courses… John Eels is a big businessman, Jason Little and Tim Horan too… Michael Lynagh has his own business, David Nucifora and the other players that I played with and the players I played against, they’re doing great things now in society, after rugby.

This is something I’ve started asking the players… back in the day, what was your favourite post-game meal?

(Laughs) Tom, I can say that I was also disciplined with food. I always love a nice, juicy steak, potatos, salad and a few chips (laughs).

Thanks a lot for coming and catching up. As I like to say, once a Red, always a Red!

Thank you Tom. It’s an honour to come and meet you. And that’s true, once a Red always a Red! I believe that 2023 will be the year of the Reds. They will do better this year - with us supporting!

The Reds Super Rugby season kicks off on Saturday February 25th against the Hurricanes in Townsville!

Why Reds Rugby Rules? (Plus Readers Questions Answered)

Looking back at 2022 for Reds rugby, I would say it has been an exciting year of development and growth… Not only within the Reds squad, but at Ballymore Stadium itself! I loved every training session I was able to attend and the interviews that I was able to conduct. During the pre-season, make sure you go back and check some of them out.

A big thanks to those who have helped behind the scenes organising interviews and to the Reds boys themselves! (Thanks also to my family and everyone that helps me maintain this blog!)

As we get into the seventh year of Reds Rugby Rules, I wanted to start off with a different approach. I’d like to shed some light on why I love rugby and the Queensland team so much and answer a few questions that my readers have asked!

Why I love rugby

My love for rugby began back in high school. I would watch my brothers playing and I loved going to their games. I remember watching some of the greats of today playing amongst my brothers and being mesmerised with the talent and skill it took to play the game. Whilst my brothers moved on to different things, my love for rugby grew. I’ve enjoyed learning about strategy and the different ways to play the game.

I would watch pre and post game interviews to build my knowledge... I would talk with players to get insights on how to really read the field and understand why they would make certain plays. This changed my watching experience and it was around this time that I started following the Reds. 

One thing lead to another and I was lucky enough to make my way down to a few training sessions at Ballymore Stadium, the spiritual home of rugby in Queensland. My passion for the sport led me to wanting to interview players and pick their brains about rugby.

I’ve been able to make connections and friendships with players as people, even apart from rugby. Being able to see the growth, success and passion in friends you see on the weekly has been one of the many reasons I love doing what I do.

Questions from readers! 

“Who are your top 3 players this year?”

I am excited to see all of the Reds play this year, both the mens and womens squads are full of really talented individuals who have the skill and the heart to go all the way this year. But if I had to choose 3 players from both squads that I’m excited to see play, it would be:

Ivania Wong

James O’Connor

Harry Hoopert (interview coming soon)

“Who is the greatest QLD player of all time?”

Another tough question! There is such a long, rich history of rugby union here in Queensland. I spent a while trying to decide my answer to this question and I’m going to have to say a few names: John Eales, David Campese, Elton Flatley and Chris Latham. Check out my interview with Elton from last year here!

“Out of all the Queensland Reds, who’s mullet was best?”

As person who wrote this question probably knows, Tate McDermitt and Liam Wright have both had notable mullets during their time at Ballymore. I support all players rights to free-expression, but I was very much in support when they both chose to cut them off.

“Who was your favourite player when you first started watching rugby?”

Quade Cooper was one of many favourites of mine when I first started watching the game. I remember watching him when he was playing rugby for Anglican Church Grammar school. I’ve loved watching his growth and career as he’s worked his way through the rugby ranks. (Check out my 2017 interview with Quade here.)

I love it when the Wallabies training at Ballymore.

As the Super Rugby season hastily approaches. I am eager to reboot Reds Rugby Rules in 2023. I’m excited to have more chats, more laughs and make more friends, stay tuned!

A Conversation with Eddie Quirk

Since Reds Rugby Rules started, I’ve had an opportunity to interview a number of past Reds, particularly during 2020 while many players had some extra time on their hands! One of those “quarantine” interviews was Eddie Quirk, someone who represented Queensland between 2010-2015 and also happens to be a good friend of my family! I also caught up with him in 2018 in Tokyo, during his stint playing there. (You can read about my Tokyo trip here...)

So I was surprised and very happy to bump into him a few weeks back at Ballymore and was excited to be able to arrange another interview for this blog, this time in person! Fresh off some new coaching experience at his old stomping ground, I was glad to hear he believes he still has some great rugby left in him on the field, in the years to come.

Eddie is great to chat with and always good for a laugh and because we were so busy chatting, I forgot to get some pictures taken with him! I hope you enjoy some of the older pictures I found online though. (Sorry Ed, not all of them were my idea!!! My family loves you, as you well know.)

Hey Ed, thanks for coming and chatting today! It’s good to see your face back in amongst the Reds boys! 

Mate, no worries. It is good to be back! It’s a bit weird. I’ll give you the quick story of how it happened. I’ve been doing my coaching certificate in Japan and I was looking to do some experience when I got back home, whether it was a school or a club… and I got on to the Reds manager who was here when I was, he’s head of Australian rugby now and he says there’s an opportunity to come down and help at the academy. I said let's do it and I came down and all the Reds boys were here and I said “can I train”, so I’ve been here for five months of my break.

It’s weird to drive back to Ballymore to train again, after all those years. The times I’ve played the Reds, I’ve probably got in a bit of trouble, a lot of red cards and that, as you remember, it’s weird coming back and seeing all the guys that I’ve played, or punched or whatever, but that’s rugby.

Mugshot from the early Reds Days

How long does it take to do the coaching certificate?

So there’s level one and two that you do, that’s just online. I had the time in Japan, so I just smashed it out in four or five weeks. And then I’ve got to do a level three, which you’ve got to do in person, but it starts in mid-October and I’m gone. We’re just trying to tailor something and see if I can do it online, because I’ll be doing some coaching over in Japan too. But that takes a couple of months. Then, if you want to do level four, which is your more top-end international, Super Rugby coaching, but you’ve got to do your time first, so I don’t have to be doing that.

The last time we spoke, we were caught up for an official interview was through FaceTime while you were in quarantine. Now that things are easing up, how is rugby looking in Japan?

They don't call Eddie the Ginger Ninja for nothing

Last time we did get speak, I think I was on my seventh quarantine which was a bit sad. It seems like a life-time ago. That was a good interview and your Mum and Dads. As you know, you’ve traveled to Japan, they are very much about sticking with the rules.

They are still very tight with, you know, you’ve got to wear your masks, your dos and don’ts, they’re not letting in travellers at the moment either, my family can't come at the moment, you’ve got to go through a big visa process which takes 6-10 months and I’m already back by then.

Apparently they’re loosing up now, but I don’t know how rugby is looking over there, because they’re still so regimented with the way they are, with testing before games and training and all that type of stuff. So you’ll have to call me again around Christmas time, if you send me a present. You didn’t send me one last time.

What are some rugby lessons you’ve learnt from your time training and playing in Japan?

I think when I left, I was more of a “hard” player, you know, defence, breakdown and carry… I think one of the things I learnt going across to Japan was you’ve got to be a bit quicker, a bit more more skilful and I sort of had to tailor my game to both. But it was probably for the best for me, I played my best rugby when I was in Japan. I’ve actually been able to bring that back to the Reds, with drills. With Thorny, the way he used to play was very direct and hard, but I’ve been able to come in and teach the academy guys that there’s a couple of new ways to do things. And I’ve got to do it as well. I’ve still got to keep training and getting better. That’s probably the lesson that I learnt over in Japan.

Are there any differences from training in Australia compared to Japan.

The language! I actually know what they’re saying here! Nah - my Japanese is actually pretty good. The difference is, here in Australia, there’s a lot more freedom, to ask questions… not to “have words” but to have good discussions. In Japan, is very hierarchy-based, you know, you don’t speak up to the coach, he knows best. Some guys, you can see they want to express themselves, but they keep in their shell. That’s how business is run over there, that’s the world in Japan.

So probably the freedom of changing things on the go, where in Japan, if somethings organised and done, you’ve just got to go through with it, even if it’s not really worth it.

What are some current goals for yourself inside and outside of rugby? 

Give him the cheese sir!

One of my goals is just to keep playing good rugby, I do enjoy it. Coming back here to train sort of reinvigorated my passion to play Super Rugby again, I don’t think I’m done - I’m thirty. And I’ve had some good chats to Thorny - so I’d love to come back at the back end of my season to the Reds and be a part of their squad. That would be a fairy tail, but obviously there’s a lot of details to go into that. But that would be one of my goals, to come back here to play.

And outside of rugby… my wife’s running a business here and I’m slowly learning that. I’m going to do some more study as well… and just come home and be a good dad. That’s my main goal! Because I leave for so long, I just try to interject myself and make a good mark on my kids when I’m home. That’s one of my goals and my focus when I’m home, just to slot back into society at home.

That’s a good segue-way to my next question… You’ve got a beautiful family here. What are some of your favourite ways to prioritise them and spend time with them when your in Aus?

That is a great question mate. So my wife, obviously running the business, she has a lot more freedom now to go to work, into the office. Where when I’m gone, she has to juggle both, which is really hard on her.

How I juggle the time is - when I’m home for the 5 months, not that it’s “bad”, I do see people, but only every now and them, because I’m fully entrenched at home… in the backyard wrestling with the kids, or anything I can do. Whether it’s taking them out for a coffee, or the movies… I’m always at the park with them… I just try to make my time with them really valuable. I’m happy to do everything… I’m doing dinners and baths and bedtimes and books and that’s how I spend my time. I do go out and see family and mates and have beers, but my priority when I’m home is - as long as the kids are happy, I’m happy.

What’s your favourite post-training meal?

Couple of beers, Tom. Um… I don’t know… I cook a lot at home, I do this steak with mushroom sauce, on rice or pasta, or I cook myself a big carbonara… I’m a big pizza man too, I love pizza. Honestly, it is the best thing ever. I could happily just get a big pepperoni pizza everywhere and I’d be like “this is unreal.”

Thank you for taking the time to chat Ed. Great to see you back at the Reds!

Love you mate. I’ve always got time. Let’s do another catch up when I’m back in Hiroshima and I’ll show you around my apartment. Hopefully we can get there for a gig. That’s what you do… You’ve travelled more than anyone. I know!

2012 CLEO bachelor of the year