Matthew & Chloe Ridge 'WE HAVE TO PUT OUR KIDS FIRST'

The sporting legend and his wife reveal why they're moving their family to France

Matthew Ridge doesn’t count his wealth in financial terms – he counts his blessings. The former Kiwis, Auckland Warriors and Manly Sea Eagles captain believes he is richer for being a father.

Also a one-time All Black and presenter on Game Of Two Halves, his career has seen him excel in rugby and league, as well as succeeding in television and business. But his greatest role of all has been an at-home dad to all his five children.

“I’m extremely fortunate,” he tells Woman’s Day in an exclusive interview offering rare insight into his home life. “I’ve worked pretty hard all my life, but I don’t have to work nine to five. I can spend quality time with my children, which is what I really enjoy.

“A lot of fathers and mothers these days need to work 40, 50, 60 hours a week – they’re supposed to hold down jobs and buy a house, and it’s incredibly hard. That’s when the kids take a backseat and it’s not really quality time you spend with them.

“If you’re fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with your kids, and if you’ve raised balanced, educated, loving, caring individuals, then wow – that’s awesome.”

Matthew’s eldest daughter Jamie is 28 and now lives in Los Angeles. She had her first child, Porter, in March, making Matthew a grandfather.

His eldest son Boston, 25, has been working with his dad for several years and is now managing director of Matthew's two high-end carwash sites, Carfe. This leaves the 53-year-old free to do the daycare drop-offs and pick-ups of his youngest children, Kenzo, four, and Lola, two.