You made your debut for the Wallabies this year. Congratulations and how did you feel when you first got the call to make your debut?

I was very excited and very nervous at the same time. I was sitting in my room at Coffs Harbour and I rang my mum and dad to share the news with them. It was a very emotional time for all of us and a few tears were shed. When I got called into the Wallabies squad I set myself the goal of making the 22 - I was over the moon when I was told I was starting.

How did you fit into the environment? It must have been good to have your close mate Greg Holmes alongside for support?

Yeah it was great to have Holmesy there alongside, particularly as he had been there before. Everyone in the squad was very welcoming though and made me and the other newcomers very welcome. It’s like a family from June…..

How did you think the team performed in the series?

The team performed pretty well overall in the Tri Nations. There are some things which we will continue to work on as a team but there are also a lot of positives to come out of the year. We continue to build as everyone becomes more comfortable with the game plan we are trying to play. We don’t feel like we’re far off winning those close games so we’ll enjoy a rest before continuing the progression on the Spring Tour.

Highlights of the season for you?

Without a doubt my highlight was scoring a try on debut. It was a really special thing to do and something I will never forget.

Which individual player have you found your toughest opponent?

There’s been no particular opponent which has stood out as the toughest – they’ve all been tough! Every team has big, strong frontrowers and have tested me in different ways. It's been a great learning experience.

How is morale in the team?

Team spirit has remained really strong since we got together in June. Despite a bit of a disappointing finish to the Tri Nations, the whole team remains really positive and close knit. We know we are moving forward and are confident that we can continue to improve upon the positives of this year.

A lot of focus has been put on the scrum this year and the size of the pack. You’ve been dubbed Rodzilla for your 130kg frame. Have you got to stay within a certain weight range with the Wallabies?

I haven’t been told a specific weight I need to be but I think my ideal weight would be 127kg. It’s a matter of trying to balance the need for size, strength and weight with the need for mobility in what is now a very fast paced international game. I’m naturally a big guy though……

I understand your dad played for Otago in the NPC and you actually made your Super 12 debut against the Highlanders. Who does your dad support now and did he give you a bit of stick in the lead-up?

Yes that’s true, dad did play for Otago but he is a fully fledged Wallabies supporter these days and has been since we moved to Australia in 1997. He’s been very supportive of me in my journey through the rugby ranks and was very proud to see me run against his old team.

You lived in Tonga till the age of 13. What are your earliest rugby memories in Tonga?

I grew up playing rugby since I was 6 years old. I have a very vivid memoryof when Willie O' won the world cup for the Wallabies in 1991. It was a huge story in Tonga, was inspirational personally for me as well as for everyone else in Tonga to see what you could achieve.

We hope you can do the same Rod. Thanks for your time and congrats on your debut year in the Wallabies.