There will come a time in the not-so-distant future where I'll have to hang the boots up but right now I have no plans to stop because I love this sport. I'll hope to play with with two of my sons, my middle boy Campbell will be 17 in September, so can then play men's rugby alongside my eldest Bailey and me.
One of my career highlights was playing at the Commonwealth Games. In 2014 I was at London Scottish where Simon Amor used to coach before he went over to the England Sevens programme. Mike Friday was director of rugby at the time and told me at training Simon was going to get in contact with me.
The phone call came which meant I was going to have a crack at going to the Commonwealth Games. It was 10-12 weeks of slog to try and get ready but thankfully I made it and represented England which was an incredible experience, going on to win the plate competition. After that I went out to South Africa to play in a World Series tournament in Port Elizabeth which was good fun as well. I'm a huge advocate for sevens, I played until two years ago for Samurai who are now known as Shogun. Younger players want to play as much as they can, so sevens is great because it's fast, good for your skills and is fun.
Watching it at the Olympics this year was awesome, it was a bit of a shame how New Zealand performed finishing fifth which isn't where they wanted to be. GB didn't make it which is a shame but France were ridiculous, Antoine Dupont was next level and for him to switch in and out of XVs and 7s has been pretty freakish.
I got into the sport through my dad as he used to play at our local club Marist in Nelson, New Zealand.
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Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
