2007 RWC All Black: Chris Jack
Chris Jack was born in Christchurch on the 5th of September 1978. He made his test debut with the All Blacks against Argentina in 2001 and to date has competed in 62 test matches scoring a total of 20 points. He is described as a world class lock, an excellent lineout jumper and a vital player in the All Blacks’ engine room.
What are your favourite places in New Zealand?
I’ve got a couple. My family is from close to the Catlins down in Southland, so I like to spend as much time as I can down there.
The Nelson area is also a favourite. I play for Tasman now because I just love it up there. I go to Golden Bay quite and bit and hang out around Collingwood and Pohara.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy the beaches around Nelson and relaxing, doing a bit of fishing and scalloping. When I’m down south, I’d normally do a bit of farm work. I enjoy that as well.
I have a dog, so we go walking around the Port Hills and Christchurch. But I also enjoy my old cars, I have a Mustang and for me the east coast of the South Island, up through Kaikoura and around the bays is pretty beautiful. And there are some nice wineries through Marlborough and the Canterbury region that you can stop at on the way.
Why do you think New Zealand produces such good rugby players?
If we knew that answer I guess everyone would be good!
I go down and watch my nephews play, they’re Under 6s and Under 8s and the skills that they have at that young age, they can all pass, they can all step and they all want to be wingers. I guess that’s what makes us great running rugby players.
If you look at the guys like myself, who lock, who can run the ball and then you’ve got guys like Joe Rokocoko, they’re just natural and it starts from a young age.
What does the haka mean to you?
There’s the pride in doing it right and the pride in performing it. But then it’s also about telling the guy next to me that I’m ready to play and that together we’re going to play well. The stronger I can hear him, the stronger I perform. It’s about me and the next guy doing it together and performing as one.
I have vivid memories of Buck Shelford doing the haka. When you got the chance to watch it, it was usually the middle of the night, it was always so exciting.
How important is the 2007 World Cup to you?
Well, it’s going to be my last days as an All Black. It’s exciting you know, it’s my chance on the world stage to be part of something special and hopefully we can perform. It’s something that’s hurt since the last World Cup, I really feel we’ve got a point to prove and hopefully we can come through with it.
These topics may also be of interest to you
|
