1 Favourite rugby memory?
Running out of the tunnel for the first time for my team North Walsham Vikings back home in England. Favourite memory in New Zealand would be the atmosphere in the club rooms after we beat Old Boys on Pasifika day — lots of music and good people.
2 Hardest opponent?
Blackheath, who are a team now playing National 1 back in England. They were big, fast and clinical on the ball. No mistake went unpunished and they amassed a 50-3 win against us. In New Zealand, it would be Junior Fakatoufifita. He’s an extremely strong ball carrier, with a high IQ and being a small player he’s the last guy I want running down my channel. Luckily he’s changed teams so he’s a team-mate this year instead.
3 What rugby player do you admire and why?
[England loose forward] Henry Pollock. No matter if you love or hate the guy, he brings views to the sport and helps build a narrative going into big games. He understands that in order to inflate interest there needs to be a villain and a hero going into big games. Plus he’s a very good player on the pitch.
4 What do you do to relax?
I enjoy watching movies, so going to the cinema or lying on the couch at home with popcorn in hand is a go-to.
5 If Alfie Coop is cooking, what are we eating?
I think my former flatmates would agree that my cooking wasn’t the best, so something simple always. Spaghetti bolognese is my go-to, although I did somehow mess that one up for them a few times.
