The former Maori Mud Crab and Bay of Plenty representative plied his rugby trade in the New Zealand's National Provincial Championships before arriving at our sunny shores where he is the head of the Overseas Family School's high school physical education program. His tough and no-nonsense exterior belies a laid-back Rasta who enjoys the region's oceanfront offerings when not tormenting our national representatives with another grueling session on the field.
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Occupation: I am in charge of the High School PE team at the
Overseas Family School.
Playing position: Lock, Blindside Flanker, No.8.
Where is home: New Zealand!! I'm from a small town in the Waikato called Putaruru, but I grew up in Rotorua and then moved to Tauranga and lived there for 14 years before moving overseas. My two children were born in Tauranga and that is where we will live when we go home to NZ.
Playing Career Highlights:
* Playing for Western Heights High 1st XV at secondary school - we were the top secondary school in NZ for 3 years. I started as a 1st five and winger and ended as a flanker/no.8.
* Representing Bay of Plenty at various levels and playing against current All Blacks at the time
* Captaining my club Rangataua to the championship in my final year of playing
Coaching Career Highlights:
* My junior representative team winning the Tai Mitchell shield for the first time in the history of the tournament (63 years) in 2003, and then doing it again in 2004.
* Two Singapore Championships with Bedok Men's 2006 and 2007.
* Singapore Women's 7's beating the Cook Islands in the plate final in Borneo 2011 - we played them in the first game of the tournament and got thrashed 5-36. Two days later we faced them in the plate final and won 12-5! Great turn around due to belief in their abilities and a desire to be better.
How would you describe your coaching philosophy?
I like to stick to the principle of KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid.
Basically I try to push the basics of the game and ensure that the players understand what they are, and the importance of executing them accurately in pressure situations. I like to get players to think for themselves so they can then make good decisions in pressure situations throughout the game. I want players to understand the importance of a strong individual work ethic so that they are able to play their part in the team and can be trusted and respected by their team-mates on the field.
I try to set high standards concerning the 'little things' about being a part of a team - punctuality to trainings, meetings, games; looking like and acting like a winning team on and off the field; individual and team organisation pre and post game etc.
How is coaching women different from coaching men/boys?
I enjoy both. In my experience the ladies have been more committed and dedicated to getting better than the men. There is more of a team-spirit with the ladies and that goes a long way to improving their performances on the field. The ladies have made significant progress over the past 12 months because of these key factors.
What do you like most and least about coaching the Women's team?
The thing I like least would be the lack of banter that is a natural part of coaching a men's team...the girls don't quite get my sense of humour??!!
The thing I like the most is.......the passion the ladies have for wanting to learn as much as they can about the game and wanting to get better.
What is your biggest challenge coaching the Singapore Women's team?
Time and money...the lack of. I am convinced that with the right funding and time to establish a strong group of players for 15s and 7s, these ladies can be a real force within Asia.
Our girls are either at uni or trying to establish a career and they are not supported by their work places enough if they are selected to represent their country in an international tournament of test match. We are often leaving a top player behind because she can't get released from her job, which makes it difficult to get consistency from the team.
How is the rugby culture different between Singapore and New Zealand?
In NZ rugby is ingrained in our DNA! It is a way of life... from weekly trainings to Saturday afternoon games and Sunday recovery sessions. Life revolves around rugby, everybody knows the game. Rugby is EVERYWHERE in NZ .
In Singapore rugby is struggling to get recognsied as the prominent sport that it is here, and has to fight to have space allocated for teams to practice and play. I don't think players here fully understood the effort that needs to go into developing themselves through strength and conditioning, skill development and game sense to raise their level of performance at the international level.
What do you regard as the three most important qualities of a player?
Conditioning - you have to be fit and strong to play rugby, both body and mind.
Execution - you have to be able to perform the skills of the game accurately in all situations (attack, defence, breakdown, set piece) throughout a game.
Team player - you have to be prepared to work for your team-mates first and foremost. Selfish rugby players are never good for a team, and never become successful.
Quickfire
All time Favourite Player: Michael Jones - he was the complete rugby player.
All time Favourite Team: The All Blacks!
If I didn't spend all this time coaching rugby, I'd be ...Playing more music....I love playing the guitar and also play drums and a little bit of piano. I love jamming with my son and daughter who play the same instruments. My dream is to live on a beach and play music all day.
Favourite place you have visited so far: It's too hard to pick ONE place. I really like anywhere with a good beach so Krabi, Phuket, Khao Lak, Bali......I just spent 6 weeks in Europe...awesome! France, Spain, Italy and Croatia....loved everywhere we went.
Favourite Singaporean food/dish: Durian - NOT! Mee Gorang and Satay.
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