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Cape Town - In the final instalment of a two-part interview with chief writer Rob Houwing, charismatic Hurricanes and All Blacks backline star CORY JANE discusses his likes and dislikes about touring South Africa, as well as his infamous obsession with Twitter …
PART 1: Q&A with Cory Jane
Have you felt aware, as an overseas visitor, that a soccer World Cup is about to take place in this country?
Well, we’ve seen no shortage of people walking around with African soccer shirts on. You see them everywhere. Gee … it starts soon, doesn’t it? June? The place is going to go off, I’m sure. But I’m not a massive soccer follower myself. I’ll watch a highlights package sometimes. I reckon they should just can the match and go straight to the penalty shootout, myself! Those blokes earn too much money, as well …
Do you have a favourite rugby ground in South Africa?
Hmm, I guess this one (Newlands). And Durban. Just because of the atmosphere … the crowds at those grounds feel close, all over you. I like a vibey crowd, even if they’re giving you abuse during the game. Afterwards they seem to mix and mingle and be friendly at Cape Town and Durban.
Are you one of those players who dislikes the “earthy” crowds of the Highveld, and the lung-burning factor?
Phew, the lungs … yeah, you can feel it. As for the crowd at somewhere like Loftus, it wasn’t so bad when we were there two years ago, because they (the Bulls) were having a baddish year and the crowd wasn’t so pumping. (The Hurricanes won 50-22 then – Sport24.) But it’ll be different when we tackle them this time, I know that! They’re the crowd who really get stuck into you as the visiting team. And they really psyche up their team – you can see it as they come out from the tunnel. You know you’re going to be in a game, alright.
You’re staying at a tranquil Somerset West hotel on a golf estate while in Cape Town. Are you the sort who would rather feel the pulse of the inner city?
Yeah, that would probably be more my thing. I’m a bit of a “hyper” type; I like to get out and about. I mean, as we chat now a few of the boys are (fighting boredom) on their PlayStations. I’d rather be in amongst it, where the people are.
You got into a spot of bother with All Blacks coach Graham Henry once for inadvertently dropping some team selection hints on Twitter. Have you convinced him yet of its merits?
Ah, I don’t think he’ll ever have a clue what that is. (Henry said after the incident that he thought Twitter was “the new English flyhalf” – Sport24.) But it’s fun; everyone’s getting involved. Me and Neemia (Tialata) did it because we had a contract through our Wellington team and just started enjoying it. People get to know what you’re about. You can just be yourself – I’m on it all the time! Folks will write to me and I’ll write back to them.
One of your tweets said you’d go shark cage-diving while in the Cape. Any of the Hurricanes fellows not so keen?
Well, put it this way, there’s a few numbers down there (on the registration list for a dive). Personally, I hate the sea but getting among the sharks was something we’ve been wanting to do here for a few years, but never actually achieved it. Hopefully I get in the cage – I’ll have a look from the boat first. Can you get in and wrestle ‘em? (Cory has since boldly tweeted saying: “I’m going 2 jump in dressed as a seal. I’m tough” – Sport24.)
What aspects of visiting South Africa do you enjoy a bit less? And you can be as honest as you like …
Ummm … I guess as Kiwis we’re used to going off somewhere and just leaving things open. Over here you’ve got to close the gate and make sure things don’t get flogged. We’ve had a few things go on our travels! You’ve just got to keep an eye on the wallet and cellphone … I thought I’d lost mine in Bloem and there was a moment of panic. But I admit I eventually found it behind the curtain. The other day I woke up during a sleep and our local security guy was standing at the door, telling me I should have closed and locked it. Aagh … don’t sneak up on me like that again!
You missed the birth of your first son Cassius while playing rugby in the US and Canada. How important was it for you being at the second?
The first one came a week early -- I was meant to be back. I got straight on a plane eventually, but you miss a day when you’ve been in America. We’d planned it (second child) so the birth would occur some time during our domestic Air New Zealand Cup. It was unbelievable to be at my wife’s bedside for the birth (of Tennyson). I was typically hyper and (fidgety), playing the fool, putting on the doctor’s gloves, blowing them up, putting them on my head, panicking … my wife told me that once baby started coming she’d punch me if I didn’t stop!
You’ve been described as an “uncomplicated” character. Is that an accurate summary?
Oh yeah … I just cruise. I always have this belief that there are harder things in life than playing rugby. I’m not the bundle-of-nerves type when it comes to a game. When I first started a few years ago I used to follow what the senior guys did and focus hard on the game, so I would shit myself and the nerves would pump. But now I can switch off and worry more about the match when I actually get into it. Yeah, I’m hyper but relaxed … a freak!
PART 1: Q&A with Cory Jane
Have you felt aware, as an overseas visitor, that a soccer World Cup is about to take place in this country?
Well, we’ve seen no shortage of people walking around with African soccer shirts on. You see them everywhere. Gee … it starts soon, doesn’t it? June? The place is going to go off, I’m sure. But I’m not a massive soccer follower myself. I’ll watch a highlights package sometimes. I reckon they should just can the match and go straight to the penalty shootout, myself! Those blokes earn too much money, as well …
Do you have a favourite rugby ground in South Africa?
Hmm, I guess this one (Newlands). And Durban. Just because of the atmosphere … the crowds at those grounds feel close, all over you. I like a vibey crowd, even if they’re giving you abuse during the game. Afterwards they seem to mix and mingle and be friendly at Cape Town and Durban.
Are you one of those players who dislikes the “earthy” crowds of the Highveld, and the lung-burning factor?
Phew, the lungs … yeah, you can feel it. As for the crowd at somewhere like Loftus, it wasn’t so bad when we were there two years ago, because they (the Bulls) were having a baddish year and the crowd wasn’t so pumping. (The Hurricanes won 50-22 then – Sport24.) But it’ll be different when we tackle them this time, I know that! They’re the crowd who really get stuck into you as the visiting team. And they really psyche up their team – you can see it as they come out from the tunnel. You know you’re going to be in a game, alright.
You’re staying at a tranquil Somerset West hotel on a golf estate while in Cape Town. Are you the sort who would rather feel the pulse of the inner city?
Yeah, that would probably be more my thing. I’m a bit of a “hyper” type; I like to get out and about. I mean, as we chat now a few of the boys are (fighting boredom) on their PlayStations. I’d rather be in amongst it, where the people are.
You got into a spot of bother with All Blacks coach Graham Henry once for inadvertently dropping some team selection hints on Twitter. Have you convinced him yet of its merits?
Ah, I don’t think he’ll ever have a clue what that is. (Henry said after the incident that he thought Twitter was “the new English flyhalf” – Sport24.) But it’s fun; everyone’s getting involved. Me and Neemia (Tialata) did it because we had a contract through our Wellington team and just started enjoying it. People get to know what you’re about. You can just be yourself – I’m on it all the time! Folks will write to me and I’ll write back to them.
One of your tweets said you’d go shark cage-diving while in the Cape. Any of the Hurricanes fellows not so keen?
Well, put it this way, there’s a few numbers down there (on the registration list for a dive). Personally, I hate the sea but getting among the sharks was something we’ve been wanting to do here for a few years, but never actually achieved it. Hopefully I get in the cage – I’ll have a look from the boat first. Can you get in and wrestle ‘em? (Cory has since boldly tweeted saying: “I’m going 2 jump in dressed as a seal. I’m tough” – Sport24.)
What aspects of visiting South Africa do you enjoy a bit less? And you can be as honest as you like …
Ummm … I guess as Kiwis we’re used to going off somewhere and just leaving things open. Over here you’ve got to close the gate and make sure things don’t get flogged. We’ve had a few things go on our travels! You’ve just got to keep an eye on the wallet and cellphone … I thought I’d lost mine in Bloem and there was a moment of panic. But I admit I eventually found it behind the curtain. The other day I woke up during a sleep and our local security guy was standing at the door, telling me I should have closed and locked it. Aagh … don’t sneak up on me like that again!
You missed the birth of your first son Cassius while playing rugby in the US and Canada. How important was it for you being at the second?
The first one came a week early -- I was meant to be back. I got straight on a plane eventually, but you miss a day when you’ve been in America. We’d planned it (second child) so the birth would occur some time during our domestic Air New Zealand Cup. It was unbelievable to be at my wife’s bedside for the birth (of Tennyson). I was typically hyper and (fidgety), playing the fool, putting on the doctor’s gloves, blowing them up, putting them on my head, panicking … my wife told me that once baby started coming she’d punch me if I didn’t stop!
You’ve been described as an “uncomplicated” character. Is that an accurate summary?
Oh yeah … I just cruise. I always have this belief that there are harder things in life than playing rugby. I’m not the bundle-of-nerves type when it comes to a game. When I first started a few years ago I used to follow what the senior guys did and focus hard on the game, so I would shit myself and the nerves would pump. But now I can switch off and worry more about the match when I actually get into it. Yeah, I’m hyper but relaxed … a freak!
