Burke to Old Blighty…..
Ben Rollo

You’re about to head off to South Africa for your last game in the green and gold.  Feeling a bit different to every other time you’ve been preparing to tour?

Not at all, still the same amount of training and preparation applies.  The only difference will be after the game when maybe a bit of emotion may creep in and the amount of beer I will have to drink.

It’s a long way from the green and gold of Beecroft Pennant Hills but hopefully just as enjoyable!

Every game is as enjoyable as to when I first started.  You have to enjoy the game otherwise I wouldn’t have lasted this long.

How was the Bledisloe match in Sydney?  Did you take some extra time to soak up the atmosphere?

Not really, just went through the motions.  Got a big cheer which was nice, got a little tunnel to walk through and drink a few beers – but still had to do the promo – so no special circumstances for me.

I noticed you were a bit reluctant to accept the offer of team mates to chair you off the ground.  Prefer a more low key exit?

I would rather get acknowledged in the change room by my peers rather than everyone else to think I’m looking for the hoopla – so yes nice and quiet.

So when do you leave for Newcastle?

End of August - pack up and start playing the first week of September.

It’s a far cry from Coffs Harbour so no doubt a shock to the system.  Are you soaking up as much sunshine as possible to last you through the next two years?

I heard it was 27° the other day and the boys were complaining it was too hot.  Then got off the phone to overseas and it was pissing down.

So who’s going to do the kicking – you or Jonny?

Me - or at least have a kick off.

As part of the customs process at Heathrow you have to declare which Premier League team you’ll be supporting?  So who’s it going to be?

Newcastle United – partly because we are in the same town but my wife used to like Alan Shearer.

A few quick questions:

Favourite memory:  World Cup win 1999

Toughest opponent:  Frank Bunce

Best tour:  European Tour 2001

Any regrets?  No regrets

Funniest memory:  Being left behind by the bus in the US.  The SS rule applied.

Which team do you most like beating?  New Zealand