Jacko answers your questions.
1st August 2005.

The questions were sent through to us by a number of Mafia members, we sent them onto Jacko and his answers are shown in bold. We would like to thank Jacko for taking the time to do this for us.


How does the level of club rugby in England compare to that of NZ and the Bay?

Playing standards are similar but the weather makes a difference as we play in both extremes- hot- to freezing with snow.

Do you get the same level of support??

No NZ is a fanatical rugby country where the UK is still football crazy.

Do you ever see yourself playing again in the BoP?

Will depend on if my body is functional! If not would like to be involved in the Bay somehow.

Do you plan to become a coach after you retire?

Possibly – but would prefer to be a referee

How did you find the level of rugby in the first season in the Northern hemisphere? It’s not meant to be as fast, but defensive lines are meant to be good.

Field position is a major aspect so there is a lot of kicking, game is not as fast as the skill level is not as high.

I have noted you didn’t score many tries for Sarries, was that due to the intake in pies or was the defence all that is cracked up to be?

There aren’t a lot of tries scored, they will always take the penalty, perhaps defence as well or maybe just too many pies!

What's your beer of choice?

John Smiths

What is the highlight of your career so far?

Winning the Ranfurly Shield and playing for the NZ Maori

How good was the piss-up after the Bay won the shield??

Solid- a great few weeks!

How about when will there be little Jacko's for the next attempt at world domination?

You will have to ask my wife about that one!

Is the traffic in TGA a good preparation for UK traffic levels?

Taurangas traffic problems are mild in comparison.

Which province does he think has a harder style of rugby to play? Waikato or The MIGHTY BOP! (Ive played in both and personally think the rugby in the bay is more confrontational and thus harder!)

BAY, more teams and have to travel more

Whats the best thing about living in London... and whats the worst?

Best- Pubs, all within walking distance of home. Travel , everything so close and cheap
Worst- No good beaches, cant go out on my boat and get fresh fish and kai moana

Do you find a variety in styles amongst the Zurich premiership teams, or do they all try to play to a similar pattern of play.

The top teams play a more expansive game but most play the same for field position.

Have you come across any ZP back lines playing the ball close to advantage line, or is there a preference for the back lines to array deeper?

Most take it to the line.

Do your teammates at Saracens get much interaction/instruction/guidance in from the England set up, similar to how the AB coaches touch base with S12 franchises?

No - the club is separate as most are privately owned and have foreign players.  NZ we are all contracted to NZ, we have guys playing for a lot of different countries, e.g. Scotland, Ireland, Fiji, and France etc.

From a player's perspective what sort of pressures/advantages exist due to the fact clubs are privately funded in the UK as opposed to central contracts in NZ?

There is a pressure to perform for the owner, where at home it is more a pressure to perform for the public

What thoughts were running through your head during and after the London bombings?

Quite freaked about using the tube, but were lucky not to be affected where we live, however they did catch a guy who was connected to the bombings who lives in the next town from us!

Do you think that you were somewhat overlooked to be an All Black? Or is that just we being one-eyed Bay supporters?

Age had something to do with it.