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WE CAUGHT UP WITH SOME OF THE HIGHLANDERS TO GET TO KNOW A bit MORE ABOUT THEM, AND WHAT MAKES PLAYING FOR THE HIGHLANDERS SO SPECIAL.

 

 

growing up what did you want to be in the future?

A: Rapper or Singer. It was going all right until one game in Mitre10 Cup I went to tackle someone and they kicked me in the throat, so had to put it on hold and fully focus on rugby.

J: I just wanted to work outdoors.

M: I probably wanted to just hunt.

 

rugby idol growing up?

A: I'd probably say Jonah (Lomu). I used to run around as a little kid yelling out 'Jonah', and then run over someone.

J: Schalk Burger. Legend. He just had plenty of passion, body on the line sort of stuff.

M: Growing up it would have been Tony Brown - I actually looked like him as well. I had curly blonde hair back in the day... and he's from home so yeah Browny was the one I looked up to. 

 

favourite movie or tv show?

A: I like Mark Wahlberg so would have to say Shooter, and if I had to pick another one I'd go Batman when Heath Ledger plays the Joker - because I do a good joker.

J: Wedding Crashers for sure, great comedy on a Sunday. I quite like Vikings as a series and Game of Thrones.

 

what do you have for breakfast?

A: Easy. Toast. If I'm lucky, butter on toast.

J: Yeah I'm similar, toast with a bit of peanut butter or banana.

M: Light & Tasty. I'm a cereal man, I like my milk.

 

what's your go to meal when cooking?

A: Chicken and bacon creamy pesto fettuccine (or a Whooper!)

J: Chicken thighs, salad and potatoes. Real simple.

M: Anything cooked on the Webber, whether its lamb rack, or maybe a ribeye. It's good stuff.

 

One piece of advice you've been given thats stuck with you?

J: Use your manners.

M: My mum used to tell me to stop feeling sorry for myself, I've always remembered that.

 

Best and worst banter in the team?

J: Worst is easy, Banksy - Marty Banks.

M: Elliot Dixon would be up there as well.

A: Best banter? Darryl our trainer, he's got good bants.

 

Best and worst dressed in the team?

A: Banksy is up there - again. Because everything is so baggy on him.

J: Ben's fashion is almost moving out now because of his age, but he obviously can't do much about that.

M: Worst in the team would have to be Aki, he walked in with a bright orange poncho on earlier. Horrendous. 

 

Who is always late?

A: Josh Dixon and Pari Parkinson, I think its a lock thing. Bad time management.

 

Where are your hometowns?

A: Christchurch / Timaru. I was born in Christchurch and moved to Timaru when I was about 10 and did all my schooling there, and then my parents moved back to Christchurch. 

J: Leeston mate.

M: A little town called Stirling which is right beside Balclutha, so not far from here.

 

Preseason training tips:

A: Don't turn up sloppy.

J: Get a good night sleep every night because they're long days.

M: Eat well Monday - Friday, enjoy yourself Saturday and Sunday.

 

Pregame rituals:

A: I like to have my room clean for some reason.

J: Nothing too uncommon, listen to music. Not too much, I just try and do something so I don't play the game over and over in my head.

M: I listen to a motivational speech, like a mash up of speeches either at the game or on route to the game.

 

Home or away games?

All: Home. Definitely home. Dry ball and great crowd.

 

Favourite Super Rugby team to play?

A: Crusaders. Family is from there and there's a good bit of banter going on.

J: Probably Crusaders for me too, just because I'm from there and they're always pretty good.

M: Would have to be the Crusaders, a battle of the mainlands.

 

What is your favourite exercise to do in the gym?

M: Anything but fitness.

J: Just avoid the rower.

 

If not rugby, what would you guys be doing?

A: Singer or rapper, but it's on hold because I got kicked in the throat a couple of years ago trying to make a tackle.

J: I have no idea. Got to sort that out in the next few years I suppose.

M: Maybe hunting, it's not really a job as such.

 

These summer holidays, what are you guys up to?

A: Probably Wanaka or Central Otago, a great place especially in the summer.

J: Back home to the farm for me for a bit, just Christmas round there. Try and see my friends from back up there... just enjoy the downtime really.

M: Catlins. It's pretty peaceful down there.

 

Club team?

A: Eels.

J: Eels, mighty Mosgiel.

M: University - the best club in the competition.

 

If you could invite 3 guests over for dinner, dead or alive, who would they be?

A: Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan and Mark Wahlberg.

 

WHAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF HIGHLANDERS HERITAGE?

A: The community is like a tight family so that's pretty cool. Everyone gets right into it. 

J: Great fans. We never played at Carisbrook but if you look back then the embankment was going off, the students were right into their work like they do in the zoo now... it's just all on.

M: Just a community franchise. We're in such a small city of Dunedin that everyone belongs, even if you take off out of town everyone loves a Highlander.