Couldn't really go for a beer with the guy, but I reckon a game of golf with Brad Thorn would be pretty epic. Of some of the rugby players I've briefly met, he seems like a very cool character. I guess the other two would be Joe Rokocoko and Conrad Smith.
Had the chance to meet Jonah Lomu while organizing him to come to my high school back in 2008, interesting guy but came across as perhaps a tad conceited. Christian Cullen trained my colts team for a few lessons which was very cool, but he perhaps wasn't the greatest conversationalist.
I'd figure that much. He's always looked like *that* type of guy, Ã la Jason Williams in the NBA, a rare genius of his craft who's just a man of action, 'things happen, they aren't spoken'. He did look like a very nice guy in interviews though, so it's not like he's distant or cold, but I got that vibe from him.
Get a beer with ? Not many seem interesting or like they have much to say:
- Wilkinson, because talking cultural (Rugby and general) differences betw. France and England with him would be a real added value to my life, and I'd get to compliment him in a way I've always wanted to, which would be satisfying. And then of course, there's getting drunk with Wilko in itself, which isn't negligible. Just on the side: he's known to be one of those guys who turns ultra emotional when he's drunk, not that this concerns me as I'd just be a random date for the night errrr I mean Rugby fa..SHUT UP.
- Daniel Herrero: definitely. He's your old school French Rugby reference today, a genuine poet, and discussing the changes in the game from his days to today would be simply fascinating as he has a way with language, unique observational ability, and he can be over-the-top with his phrasing but it would be like a fuccking trip.
- Fabien Galthié: maybe the best scrumhalf of all-time, this guy played through the turning point in world Rugby and one of the very best eras for French Rugby. He pays attention to detail and really knows his shiit, is a coach now, and would just have oceans of things to say for a given night if stimulated and asked the proper questions.
- Thomas Lombard: played briefly for France, big winger...he's part of the "Rugby specialist" team on our Rugby broadcasting channel here and is spot-on with his analysis and it'd be a huge gain to hear what he has to say, and a very relaxed guy.
Would be interesting to talk to Carl Hayman too. Has been an All-Black, played (still does, obviously) and won in France. Looks like a very peaceful guy, and I'd love to ask questions about the scrummaging and he certainly knows about that.
