An Interview with Rob Simmons

Today, I was able to track down Rob Simmons, (Wallabies and Reds lock) for an interview. To make it special, it was his birthday earlier this week. (Happy birthday for Wednesday Rob!!)

'The Reds have a "bye" this weekend (this means they have no game are able to rest). But the whole team have been training hard this week none-the-less. Thanks Rob for taking the time time to catch up, right after a big session!

Hi Rob, Glad we finally get to chat. Just want to ask a few questions.

We heard that you are from Theodore. What was it like growing up as a country boy?

I loved growing up in Theodore. It was good fun. I got to do a lot of things that people who grow up in the city don't get to do. I grew up riding horses, and in the weekend going out with my dad out on the farm - we came from a cattle farm. Mum always tried getting me into as many sports as I could. I think I was an outdoor kid which drove her up the wall, so she was enrolling me in every sport she could... I grew up playing rugby league actually - out in central Queensland it's all rugby league.

We know you play lock. What does that position involve?

I think to the public, the lock is probably the most unknown, in terms of what we actually do around the field. Obviously the set piece is very important helping and pushing in the scrum. The front row directs a lot of the weight, the back five create a lot of that weight, and strength in the scrum. And then obviously, you see us jumping a lot in the line outs, being generally taller people. I get to call the line-outs, and so my job is basically to win the ball each time the balls kicked out. Basically we're seen as the workhorses around the field, just doing those hard carries, mainly second phase, off set-piece, and then a lot of clean-outs, short meter carries into the set defence and things like that.

Who is your senior team?

Didn't have a club, obviously coming from the country. Then coming from boarding school on the Gold Coast, when I first left school I chose to go to Sunnybank. They sort of first contacted me and my school coach came from Sunnybank the year before that, so he had good things to say about it, and they looked after me. I enjoyed going there. It was a bit further out from where I lived, but I’ve got some good friends down there now.

Who was your favourite player growing up?

Like I said, I grew up playing rugby league, so as a young kid I was a big fan of Shane Webcke, [Petero] Civoniceva and Allan Langer. As I grew to know rugby union, I became a big fan of John Eales. I suppose I was getting told I’d be a second rower growing up [laughs], so I was drawn to those kind of players.

How many seasons have you played for the Reds?

So I came to Brisbane straight out of school. I had about 6 months in the academy and then straight here to the Reds, and I’ve been here ever since. So this is going on my 11th season. 

What is the biggest highlight in your life so far?

Obviously getting married, I got married at the end of last year, and that was a big moment for me. But pertaining to rugby, winning that grand final in 2011 and being a part of that, and I suppose seeing the hard work come through from 2 years prior to that transfer into that 2011 season. Both World Cups have been big for me, especially the 2015 one. That was a very big year for me and for a lot of those guys that played in the World Cup, going all the way to the final, and I suppose going down, but that whole experience and the lead in to that World Cup was amazing.

Can you tell us something about you that not many people may know?

That’s a tough question! I suppose you covered it - the things I did on the farm as a kid… I think the biggest thing I suppose is people think that rugby players and horse riding don’t go hand in hand, but I know my way around riding a horse and around cattle a fair bit, I grew up on a farm, so I know a fair bit about that sort of industry I suppose.

You have played for both the Reds and the Wallabies on numerous occasions. What advice do you have for aspiring players, both boys and girls?

Obviously enjoy yourself -  everyone always says that. But I suppose what goes behind it, it’s one of those games that when it turns professional, it’s pretty tough day in and day out if you’re not enjoying yourself, but I think that’s the key. You see so many people in the business world waking up and not wanting to go to work. The alarm goes off a bit too early sometimes, but overall it’s easy to get out of bed when you’re enjoying yourself, and if you’re not enjoying it, I suppose that’s advice for most people in life really, you’ve got to look to something different.

Thanks Rob for the chat. I hope we can talk again soon.

Thank you!

An Interview with Samu Kerevi

Here’s the second of two interviews for the week! (This is to make up for missing out last week. If you haven’t already, make sure you check out my great interview with winger Chris Kuridrani as well!)

With captain James Slipper injured (our thoughts are with you James!) and vice-captain Stephen being rested this week, Samu is taking up the captaincy for tonights match against the Kings. Congratulations Samu! We all believe in you!

Please enjoy our chat from earlier this week.

Hi Samu, it’s great to talk to you again. I was just going to ask you a few questions.

Sweet. Thanks for having me Tommy.

How was it debuting as a Wallaby in 2016?

Obviously, it was an emotional day for me, being able to play for the Wallabies and get to that level. It was an unbelievable experience. We lost on the bell, and that was hard to take, but a massive thanks to my team mates for even getting me into that space, but it was a really grateful moment for me and my family.

We know you play center. What does that position involve?

Center… We take the midfield, for the whole game. It involves a lot of bashing, a lot of running lines and big hits that we take, but both the defence and the attack we control (especially around the midfield) and the edges.

So for me that involves linking up with my wingers and fullbacks to make sure we get good line to go and attack and get the wide channels to score some good tries - if we get the ball out there.

What is your senior team?

I started with South, back when I was in juniors, and different clubs in between, but for now South Magpies is my senior team. They’ve been having a tough season, just like us, and it was good to see get the win on the weekend. It’s a family thing. My brothers played for South when I was growing up. I played most of my juniors for Sunnybank, and GPS Ashgrove, but South is my Senior team now.

What was your favourite player growing up?

For me as a player growing up, over the ditch, Tana Umanga and Ma’a Nonu were people I looked up to. They played for the All Blacks and the Hurricanes, and they were a really great center pairing. I took a lot of, I guess, game knowledge of them. I watched them and saw the way they ran the ball. Ma’a, obviously being a pretty big boy, ran the ball pretty hard. So that was something that I tried to emulate. I played Ma’a back in 2014. That was a massive day for me, playing against someone that I looked up to over the years. It was a good day.

How many seasons have you played with the Reds?

I started back in 2014, so that’s three years. It’s been a long couple of years, I’m enjoying my time here at the Reds. It’s somewhere I grew up, and so I’ve always wanted to play for Queensland. Representing that every weekend is a massive honour for me.

What is the biggest highlight in your life so far?

For me, it was probably back in 2012. I went back home and tried out for the under 20s Fiji team. I didn’t make any rep teams here when I was growing up, so I went back to Fiji with my brother and we both made the team. We played with them over in South Africa. So that was one of my highlights, playing with family, for a country that brought me up. And beside that, obviously making my debut for the Wallabies, rugby wise that was pretty awesome.

But for me, the highlight for my life would be just my family. Being able to wake up and seeing them still doing what they do, going to work on simple days... It’s a massive blessing from God that we’re still breathing on the earth, so for me a highlight would be my family.

Coming from Fiji to play for the Reds, what is some advice for some aspiring players, both boys and girls?

I guess, coming from Fiji, there was a couple of struggles you know, even staying in the country with Visas and stuff like that. I think you’ve got to be persistent. If you know what you want, and what your dream is, if you’re persistent with it, you’ll get there. I feel like you’ve got to put in the time and the attention to detail in every aspect of your life is important. Especially in rugby, putting in the time on and off the field, to become a better person as well, I feel like it will help you on the field.

Be persistent and go hard at whatever you love.

Could you tell us something about yourself that not may people may know?


(Laughs) Rugby wise, not a lot of people would know that all the way through school I was the second row pairing with Curtis Browning, who played second row, even leading up to first fifteen. I was the second row for first fifteen, until I got dropped. And then our SNC coach, who was the coach for the seconds, and he shifted me to center and I never looked back. I’m pretty glad I’m out of the second row, working with the forwards. I just love being out wide with the backs. So that’s something that not a lot of people won’t know.

Thanks Samu for the chat! I hope we can talk again soon.

Thanks for having me Tommy. It was awesome. Thank you again for having me.

An Interview with Chris Kuridrani

Training changes and overseas travelling has made it harder to catch up with the Reds recently, so to make up for missing last week, I’ll be posting two interviews this week!

Today I got to catch up with two of the Reds players after training. Winger Chris Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi (Centre). Both are top Fijian blokes, and I enjoyed spending time with them! (Check back later this week to read my chat with Samu as well.)

Hi Chris, thanks for the interview.

It’s all good, good to be here.

So we know Kuridrani is a famous name in a lot of sports. Where did it all begin?

Well, my Dad got scouted over by one of the clubs here in Brisbane, and then me, my cousin.. he brought the whole family over and we all grew up here in Brisbane. Obviously, rugby was what we grew up with. Obviously, it was what our Dad came over for and what brought the family over to Australia. So we all started over here in Brisbane just junior footy and we were fortunate enough to make rep teams and get scouted after high school. Tevita [Chris’s cousin] went down to Canberra and me staying over here for the Reds. We’re still close and stay in contact, so it’s good.

Who is your senior team?

My senior team is GPS, it’s located in Ashgrove. It’s the same club that brought over my Dad from Fiji, so it’s kind of like a family club. It’s got a close place in my heart.

What is your preferred position when you play? What does that position involve?

My preferred position is wing. My Dad was a winger as well. Growing up as a little kid I always wanted to play on the wing. I’m probably not as fast, but I think my strength is ‘power’ and trying to break tackles. The winger is on the end of the back line. I guess it’s our job to score the tries at the end of the back line moves, chase kicks and what-not. You’ve got to be very versatile and athletic if you want to be a winger.

Who was your favourite sportsperson growing up?

My favourite sportsperson was Jonah Lomu. We played the same position. When he broke onto the scene, he was kind of the winger that I wanted to be like. Strong and powerful, but he used his speed to get around players. Jonah Lomu would definitely be the main one as a kid.

What is a highlight of your sporting career so far?

A highlight in my sporting career would probably be scoring my first try for the Reds, that was in 2015, and it was against the Sharks.

I got the call up to start, and I got to score my first try, which I didn’t think would come that early. But that’s definitely a highlight of my career - my first try.

Can you tell us something about yourself that no-one would know?

As a junior, I couldn’t make it on my team as a winger, so I had to play 5/8. The team was picked and my coach said there's no space on the wing, and that I’d have to play another position.

From there I played 5/8 from under 13s until under 17s, and it wasn’t until after school that I started playing wing again, the position that I wanted to play.

What is some advice for aspiring players, both boys and girls?

I think when you’re chasing goals, enjoy the journey, more than the actual destiny. Sometimes we get so caught up in chasing where we want to be rather than just enjoying the journey and the experiences along the way.

I think sometimes when we don’t get to the goal that we’re trying to get to, we get more discouraged and down. But I think it’s on the journey that you learn more about yourself and your character, rather than reaching your goals.

Everyone has goals, but I’d encourage just to enjoy the journey rather than trying to achieve the goal. That’s my advice.

Thanks Chris for your time.

Cheers, thanks so much Tom. Thanks for having me.

Rugby Rule of the Week

Talking with Matt Smith from RUPA

Part of the personnel supporting the Reds Players is RUPA member Matt Smith who we were lucky enough to meet. So I got some questions together to learn about how RUPA works.

1. What are some of the major roles that RUPA undertakes?
To collectively develop and promote the best possible professional standards and conditions for its members, and the growth of rugby.
- to provide its members with an association dedicated to the promotion and advancement of Rugby Union.
- to promote and protect the interests of all members and to safeguard their rights at all times. 
to strive for the improvement of economic and other conditions generally and to regulate and correct abuses relative thereto;
-to secure and maintain freedom from unjust and unlawful rules and regulations affecting each members career in Rugby Union;

-to assist member in securing employment;
-to assist Members in undertaking education and development opportunities;
-to obtain benefits for all members;
-to provide a medium through which the Members may express their views on issues concerning their well-being;
-to provide legal advice and legal assistance in defence of Member's rights where deemed necessary;
- to elect from time to time Members as directors on the Boards of Directors of the ARU, ACTRU, NSWRU, RU and WARU Board.

   
2. What is the importance of having current players as part of the RUPA Board?

These are the ones that are living and breathing rugby everyday so it makes sense that these are the ones that are making decisions on what is right for the players and ultimately what is right for the game. You look at someone like our President Dean Mumm, he has played over 100 Super Rugby games, has played Overseas and is a current Wallaby. To have someone like Dean on the RUPA Board with so much experience and knowledge can only be a positive for the players and the game.

3. Does female Rugby receive help, education, employment and legality wise, that male Rugby does?
Like all female sports they are not remunerated currently like their male counterparts, RUPA are working hard on behalf of the players, for them to be remunerated fairly. Female players in Cricket and Netball have seen significant pay-rises of late from revenue derived from Broadcasting deals.

Our Female 7's players have access to a full-time Player Development Manager who is based at the Narrabeen Training facility. The PDM helps these players with Education and Vocation advice and Welfare support, as members of RUPA players also have access to the Training and Education fund. Players are eligible to claim $5000 per year towards their study and Professional Development.

4.Do all players get chances in education? Is it a requirement?
All players that are contracted to a Super Rugby team or part of the sevens program are eligible for the training and education fund as mentioned above. Players are able to claim $5000 per year and is capped at $25,00 over a players career. I.e. a player who has played for three years is able to claim $15000. Education is not a requirement but players understand the importance of having something outside of Rugby.

5. What are the RUPA awards about and how are the winners chosen/ Do the awards focus solely on the Australian Super Rugby Teams?
The annual Volvo-RUPA Awards Lunch is one of the most eagerly anticipated on the Rugby calendar. It celebrates the achievements of RUPA's members at every level, from Buildcorp NRC to Super Rugby to Australian Rugby Sevens to the Wallabies, as well as away from Rugby in the community and in study pursuits.

The RUPA Board and all of its people are incredible in how it helps not only the reds but all of the Australian teams. So thank you for answering my questions Matt. Hopefully we will catch up again soon.

Rugby Rules #4: The Points System

Understanding the point system can make watching the game much more enjoyable. It does differ to Rugby League, I think this makes it interesting.

In Rugby Union, a try is 5 points, a conversion through the goal posts is 2 points, and a penalty is 3 points. Drop-kicks (during play) are also 3 points. This does create more of an emphasis on drop goals, compared to Rugby League.

(For those unaware, Rugby League awards 4 points for a try, and 2 for conversions and penalties. 1 point is given for drop kicks mid-play.)

An Interview with Karmichael Hunt

As the Reds were travelling last week, the most recent interview I have done was on online with Karmichael Hunt. But I have managed to catch a photo with him after training.


Hi K,

Thank you for answering a few questions for me. I know that you must be thinking about the oncoming game.

But to begin, What was it that persuaded you back to Rugby Union?
I had never played Super Rugby before so when the Reds presented we with the opportunity to come on board I jumped at the chance. I played Rugby at Churchie (Anglican Church Grammar School) and again for Biarritz in France so I knew how fun the game was but as I said, I had never experienced it at the top level down under.

What is your club team?  
The mighty Norths Eagles!                                                                                                       

   

You play Outside back, what does that position involve?
Defensively you generally are trying to cover the man of the opposition on set piece. During phase you are looking to diffuse any kicking options the attack might throw at you while also lending a hand in the defensive line if need be. When a line break is made you are generally the last line of defence, so you gotta do your best to stop the opposition from scoring. In attack, you are looking to create play, back up, work the short side, kick, or create an extra man working into good positions.

Is it as hard as everyone has been claiming to adjust back after AFL and NRL?
Its been hard for me. My body took an absolute hammering during my adjustment to AFL footy. I was not design to play AFL but I did everything I could to try and succeed which ultimately meant losing a lot of my natural attributes e.g. muscle mass, speed and explosiveness. So the last few years has involved a slow rebuild into a rugby athlete again.

What has been the biggest highlight in your sporting career so far, not just Rugby?
Becoming a father to my three daughters and getting married to my best friend.

Can you tell us something about you that not many people may know?
Well, I just started my 2nd year of Uni at USQ. I'm doing a Bachelor of Science, Majoring in Psychology and minoring in in Physics. I own a Dobsonian telescope and enjoy stargazing. I also love smoking food on my Kamado Joe! I'm BBQ'n something (i.e. brisket, ribs, pulled pork, fish) every weekend at least

Can you give some advice to aspiring players, both boys and girls?
Try your hand at a variety of sports and exercises, even if you don't feel comfortable doing it at first. There is usually a lot of physical skills and mental experiences that you can gain from the differing activities, all of which will make you better at whichever task you choose to focus on most.

Thank you very much Karmichael for answering those questions for the blog.

Rugby Rule of the Week #3 - The Scrum

When a minor infringement or stoppage occurs, a scrum is one of the ways that play can resume. Scrums have a habit of breaking up the play, making things more "interesting". More than half of the team is used in the scrum, including the scrum-half (#9), who feeds the ball in, and usually out.

Have a look at this handy diagram to see how it all works:



[Source: http://www.rugbyhow.com/rugby-positions.html]

The scrum-half puts the ball in, the teams push against each other... and basically... when the ball pops out, the game carries on.

Watch, for example, Argentina demolish the All Blacks scrum here:

An Interview with Duncan Paui'aua.

Earlier this week I had a chat with Duncan Paui'aua. He had a hand in creating the match winning try, over the weekend!

Thanks Duncan, for giving me a bit of your time!

That’s ok. Pleasure.

How was it, becoming a professional sportsman almost straight out of school?

Ah. It’s a great feeling, you grow up trying to do it, that’s always been my dream tryin’ to become a professional rugby player. So to get that straight out of school that was a pretty big accomplishment.

What is your club?

I play for North Eagles.

You can play around the field, what does your preferred position involve?

I play multiple positions, I can play 10, 12 and 15. I think I feel most comfortable when I am playing at 12, which is inside centre. It allows me to use my ball playing skills and also gives me a chance to run the ball as well.

What is the hardest part about maintaining fitness over the Super Rugby Season?

Ah. Probably for me, eating, eating well. I guess in pre-season the load is very big you can tend to eat what you want but when the load goes down during the season, you tend to put on a bit of weight. Back down what you are eating.

What is the biggest highlight in your sporting career so far?

The biggest highlight. Ah… 
Probably just what happened on the weekend. Just the line break I made and setting up the match winning try. Hopefully one of many more highlights of my career.

Can you tell us something about you that no one else may know?

I am one of 11, and my three younger sisters are triplets. I think nobody knows that.

What is some advice you could give to aspiring players, both boys and girls?

Ah. I guess in any aspect in life, I think whether it be sport or anything else, if you put your mind to it and you really want something, I guess you just go and get it.

Thanks Duncan for your time.

Thanks mate.

Rugby Rule for the Week #2

This weeks rule is for all you Americans, or for the AFL supporters that want to get in on the greatest game in the world.

The Knock On....

Rugby Union (along with League) is unique from other footy codes in that you have to run forward to gain ground towards the end line. Passes can only be made backwards. "Forward passes" are not allowed. If the ball touches a players arm or hand and it goes forward, the referee calls "knock-on", and the other team gets possession for a "scrum". What's a scrum I hear you say? See you next week.

Womens Rugby Rules / Rugby Rules Part #1

It is true that my cousin Grace Hamilton plays rugby in New South Wales. It was exciting watching her play for the Womens Warratah's at the Global Tens competition in Brisbane the other week. So I'm making a very special exception and interviewing her and her friend Emily Chancellor for this weeks interview. They're both lovely people, and great ambassadors for the game. A big thank you to them for their time.

The focus on female rugby has really only just picked up. What was it that brought you to the game?

Grace Hamilton: I actually started playing rugby in America because they didn’t have any netball. It was a good way to make American friends and growing up around it, it made sense. 

Emily Chancellor: I always watched it and really liked it so I thought - why not have a crack!

What are your favourite teams to watch?

Grace: My favourite teams to watch are the Waratah’s and the Wallabies and the Aussie Sevens girls.

Emily: The team I support is the Waratahs but I do have a soft spot for the Brumbies as well. I play for Sydney University.

Grace, we know that you play back row, and Emily, you play flanker. What do these positions involve?

Grace: I play back row now but I started in the centers in America and the ACT. It’s a fun position. You are involved in a lot of contests and are one of the main support players on the field. But I would play anywhere.

Emily: I play as a loose forward (same as Gracie) so we have to do a lot of running and be there to carry the ball and protect the ball when a team mate runs the ball.

How was it playing in Suncorp Stadium during the Global 10s and having your team being truly recognised?

Grace: Playing at Suncorp stadium was not only good for us players but I think it was a really good step for women’s rugby. There were a lot of players that should of and would have loved to be there and for us to be given that opportunity was really special. We were treated the same as the men’s teams and although we were all star-struck for the majority of the time it was great!

Emily: Playing at Suncorp was one of the most exciting experiences of my rugby career so far! It was amazing to play in front of such a big and loud crowd.

What is the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Grace: My biggest highlight so far would be being given the opportunity to represent Australia before the Bledisloe in New Zealand last year.

Another highlight would have to be touring with our Sydney team. We have such a tight knit group of girls and we always bring out the best in each other.

Emily: Playing at Suncorp and winning the club championships last year.

Can you tell us something about yourself that no one may know?

Grace: Something that no one would know.. I have no idea. I’m pretty much and open book. Ahh…  I like painting and sewing? Haha

Emily: I own two surfboards and used to surf all the time as a kid.

What is some advice for an aspiring player, both girls and boys?

Grace: I think the best advice I could give to any girls or boys wanting to play rugby, or any sport, is get involved and don’t be afraid of failure. The friendships you will make are lifelong, so at any level, just enjoy it!

If people tell you you can’t do it, keep the fire in your belly and believe in yourself. Do the best you can.

Emily: Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something because of your size - and hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.

Awesome. That's great advice! Thanks again for your time.

***

With the start of the Super Rugby kick-off happening this week, I'll be kicking off our Rugby Rules series! That's right, it is a play on words. I'll aim talk about one rule each week during the season, as well as do the interviews.

Rule for the week:

A team kicks off with a drop kick which is taken from the half way mark (or behind it).

If the kick is not done right, the other team gets to either: a) have the ball kicked again, or feed a scrum from half way.

The drop kick has to go for 10 meters. If it doesn't go 10 meters, the other team can either play on, or opt to restart as above.

To find out more about the rules of the game, check out www.laws.worldrugby.org

Source: kick-off rules)

For those uninitiated, that will help you understand the game a little bit more when you watch the Reds play the Sharks tonight!