Friday 5th November 2010
Dear Diary
I have always loved being a loose head prop even though when I first started playing I was put at lock or number 8. I have to admit it wasn’t too long before I was put in the front row. I enjoyed it straight away and have pretty much stayed there ever since.
In the game of rugby, there’s not too many positions where you get to take on your opponent so directly. I just get enjoyment out of my role in a team too, all the little things I do add to the greater good of the team. I know prop is an important role in the game.
I am in London with the All Blacks at the moment. We are preparing to face England on the weekend. It’s always a pretty tough test, you know they are going to come at you physically, they’ll be direct. It’s always good fun playing against the English. They pride themselves on trying to physically dominate you.
I have been fortunate enough to play 70 tests for the All Blacks. My favourite team to play against is probably the French, especially if we manage to dominate them. It’s always quite an enjoyable task taking on any pack that rate themselves. We back ourselves as well, so it usually makes for a good clash. The more physical the better.
Even playing against mates is good fun though. There’s usually a little bit of banter before we get down to the business of scrummaging, maybe something a bit personal to spark it up. But you know it’s not really personal, it’s just a wee bit of fun.
My body type doesn’t allow for it, but if I had to wear another number on my back it would be a loose forward position, probably number six. They seem to get a lot of freedom on the park which I obviously don’t get to do. In saying that though I thoroughly enjoy my role in the team and what I get to do at loosehead prop.
Cheers,
Tony Woodcock
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