Chat with Rath…June 2004

Ben:  Clyde, how long have you been out in Australia?

Clyde:  Just over 18 months now

Ben:  What was the decision to move here based on?

Clyde: A number of things, no single one factor, the major thing was the opportunity to play in such a professional environment and be involved with a team like the Brumbies and being involved with the players that they have here.

Ben:  Had you been to Australian before?

Clyde: I came to Australia for the first time about 2 months before I made the permanent move just to have a look at the set up and to meet the coaches, meet some of the players and look at the structure that they had here.

Ben: Did the success of Tiann Strauss and Dan Vickerman have any influence on your decision?

Clyde: Yeah for sure.  When I came up to Canberra I had a coffee with Dan Vickerman. Obviously he was a guy who was in a similar scenario to me and we had a good chat.

Ben: Rugby in South Africa’s been a bit unsettled there for a while now.

Clyde: I think they just haven’t had their house in order and certainly for the players it’s a matter of getting the right people in the right jobs and they’ll do better.

Ben: Do you keep in touch with many of the guys playing in South Africa still?

Clyde: Yeah with a few of them just by email every now and then.  I speak with Jake White who is the head coach there every couple of weeks just to touch base and see what’s going on.

Ben: How about the frustrations of last year being injured, no doubt you’re happy to be on the field and fit and well?

Clyde: Yeah, it was quite tough, I think with any major injury sitting on the side-line isn’t much fun but it’s certainly gone well this year so in a way you benefit in disguise because you don’t realise how much you enjoy playing and that sort of thing so from that point of view you it gets you hungry again – which is good.

Ben: Is it true you are the quickest man in the squad?

Clyde: Yeah we did some speed tests earlier in the year and I was the quickest but not by much.

Ben: So Bill Young’s claim he is the quickest may not be true?

Clyde: It is probably quickest down a grease mine shaft. He’s the quickest to McDonalds that’s for sure.

Ben: Even though you weren’t previously a winger you’ve obviously adapted very quickly to your new role. Are you enjoying it there?

Clyde: Yeah it has been going well, we have so much experience in the side and so many experienced and intelligent players.  Having those guys in the squad and in the backline makes it so much easier to make that transition.

Ben: Yeah, plenty of ball and no doubt enjoying your rugby there. How many tries have you scored this season?

Clyde: I have scored six this season.  

Ben:  And Gerrardo? Any competition there?

Clyde: Gerrardo has scored five. I don't care how many tries I score as long as I score more then Gerrardo.

Ben: I’m sure he’d say the same! Were there mixed emotions heading back to your homeland in your recent tour to S.A?

Clyde: Not really mixed emotions, I think if anything I just enjoyed going back there, lots of family and friends and whenever I go back I have a good time.  A lot of my family came to both the games so it was good.

Ben:  Did you get some extra special treatment from any of your old teammates?

Clyde: Not really. I think from them anything happens or that is said on the field is sort of tongue and cheek and a bit of a joke.  So the more hostile comments probably came from the crowd. 

Ben: Who has provided the biggest influence on your rugby career since arriving at the Brumbies?

Clyde: Probably the coaching staff and a lot of the senior players, certainly all the coaches, I’ve learned from all of them – Nussy, Ant Eddie  and Laurie Fisher.  I have learned heaps from them and they’ve been a big influence.

Ben: And finally, was your Uncle Riaan disappointed to get sacked as the Ground Announcer following the Waratahs v Bulls game?

Clyde: It was a disgrace actually. There were a few things being said when we played the Bulls in Loftus and most of it was in Africaans. I knew what was going on but none of the other guys really did.  I just think it is in bad taste.  So It’s probably good that he has got the boot. 

Ben: Thanks Clyde, thanks for your time and all the best for the rest of the season.