Happy hooker bounces back | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

 

Canterbury’s happy hooker, Ti’i Paulo, back in red and black after nearly a year on the sideline, talks to Nick Tolerton

It's been a long time between matches for you, Ti'i?

Yes, I did my ACL in the quarter-final against Tasman last October and had surgery, and six months rehab, and had a few setbacks. First game back was two weekends ago against Wellington in the pre-season.

 

 

Yes, I've had a few injuries in my career and this is my third ACL that I've done. I do miss it when I'm out of the scene and not around the boys. I was really happy to get 80min under the belt at Albany. The knee felt really good, but it was a bit of a shame that we lost.

 

 

Yes, I think we'll definitely bounce back. There were a lot of learnings we took out of Harbour. Last year, we lost the first one and ended up winning the competition, but that's a bit far away for us as a team to be looking at right now.

 

 

We were just trying to get used to the ref, and we had a couple of track issues with a bit of slippage. And first game nerves and new people in our pack, and there's a new locking system we're going with. It's a work in progress.

 

 

The lineouts. And our D was good - I think they made only two line breaks.

 

 

There's definitely going to be some fire out there. People like to bounce back from a loss and it's always a big game.

 

 

I think so. The likes of Hawkes Bay, Northland, and Bay of Plenty from a couple of games I watched, they're really good. And on your day, you've got to respect everyone you play.

 

 

I haven't heard how far away Corey is, but when he comes back, having that extra experience will be great. You can't train for that experience.

 

 

We played a pre-season game in Melbourne against the Force a couple years ago, and Andy Ellis went up for a catch and it just sconed him straight on the head. He got a good old falcon. Andy's always the trickster, so something like that is gold.

 

 

Johnny Cash, R&B and hip-hop. I like to listen to a bit of hip-hop before the game and Stevie Wonder as well.

 

 

It is, it is. And I really like the Green Mile.

 

 

The news. And Target.

 

 

We had a trip with Andy and Wyatt up to Pohara, and that was really good. Croc's from Golden Bay and he was showing us around and trying to show us this really good swimming hole. We drove for about 20min up a gravel road, and he'd just got a new car.

We said, Are you sure this is the way, and he said yeah yeah yeah. We walked through the bush for about 10min, and when we get there there's rapids everywhere. It took us another 15min to get out.

 

 

Mark Ellis's. The last, and the first!

 

 

My fiancé Frankie's chicken pasta.

 

Aw, no. Some of the boys like them, like the new style. But some of the front row boys, especially me and Croc, are not sure about how tight they are around the old gut...

 

No, but before the game I always listen to music, and if I didn't have that I might get a bit nervous and overthink things.

 

 

Andy is in, but he's got a little understudy in Sam Monaghan. I hear there are plans for Wyatt's new Falcon from the All Blacks...

 

 

PB, Pete Borlase. He likes to walk around naked - not a pretty sight - and he often sleep talks, and I'm quite a light sleeper. We have a conversation but he's asleep.

 

 

Stevie Brett.

 

 

Michael Paterson.

 

 

Definitely 2008 Super 14. It was a great year, Robbie's last year, and starting in a final when Flynnie went down was a highlight.

 

 

I like to hang out with friends, and I'm originally from Dunedin, so going down there or having my brothers up and spending time with them. I'm trying a little bit of hunting with George Whitelock. I've been out once - we got a couple of wild sheep up near Flock Hill. It was a good walk though!

Interests away from footie?

You've played in a Super 14 final and been in two New Zealand age group teams that won world titles. What's been the biggest highlight?

Most time in front of the mirror?

Most time on the cellphone?

Worst roomie?

Who's the worst stirrer in the NPC team?

 

Any superstitions?

 

Are your new red training tops the worst item of football apparel ever?

Favourite meal?

Last book you read?

Favourite holiday destination?

TV?

Favourite movie - Walk the Line, I suppose?

What music do you like?

What's the funniest thing you've seen on the field?

Corey Flynn is also coming back into the picture?

Could be a great NPC this year if you're a neutral, going by the opening weekend results? Is it going to be very competitive?

Auckland is always a needle game, but both teams will be even hungrier than usual this Saturday?

What were the good things to take out of the loss?

What was happening in the scrums?

Hopefully, the 2009 NPC will be a repetition of last year when you lost first-up?

A frustrating year?