5 August, 1972 – scrum injury – resulting in becoming a C5 tetraplegic.

1999 when I put my head in the wrong place in a scrum.

1983 playing Taurmanui, position hooker – collapsed scrum.

1988

1990 committing a professional foul trying to collapse a maul that was being driven at the try line. I fell down into a sitting position, back to the opposition, they drove over and I fell on my head bending it forward dislocating vertebrae in my neck.

I had my injury on the 21st June 2003, playing club rugby for Thames Rugby and Sports Club. The injury occurred as a result of people landing on top of me in a ruck.

Not being able to do physical labour. It may sound strange, but growing up on a farm I appreciate the hard graft of a long days work. The feeling of satisfaction of seeing the wool shed void of sheep at the end of a long day or a paddock full of hay bales that was cut grass that morning is hard to beat.

The loss of independence and the struggle to find and keep good attendant carers as the hourly rate from ACC is far too low.

Relearning how to live.

Having to be dependent on others/carers to do stuff that able bodied people take for granted and the extra time that it takes to do these things.

 

Building my own home and living independently with minimum levels of support.

• Dan Buckingham

There have been too many for me and they have occurred on incomparable levels to single one out. A highlights package would have to include winning gold with the Wheel Blacks in 2004 and getting to travel to different pockets of the world. I also work in a very enjoyable job which is most satisfying.

 

• Geoffrey Cochrane

Holding onto the job that I had at the time of my injury which I still have today. I find that I very much need it as the bills just keep on rolling in.

 

• Kerrin Tilley

Becoming an associate member of the Mouth & Foot Painting Association.

• Neil Cudby

University degree – Bachelor of Technology majoring in Product Development.

Starting work again.

 

WHAT IS YOUR FAMILY STATUS?

     Bob Porter

 

 

 

Single

• ·       Dan Buckingham

I am a bachelor complete with my own bachelor pad in Grey Lynn Auckland. My parents still live on the farm in Southland, a brother in Melbourne, a sister in Hamilton and niece born last August. I have had a number of generous New Zealand families “adopt” me and look after me over the years.

 

• ·       Geoffrey Cochrane

I am now separated from my wife. We did share 17 years together after my accident which I thought was pretty good in the circumstances.

 

• ·       Kerrin Tilley

Single

• ·       Neil Cudby

Married to Sarah, no children but working on it!

Married with one awesome 6 year old daughter.

 

HOW DO YOU FEEL NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY TREATS THOSE WITH DISABILITIES?

·       Bob Porter

 

 

 

 

In the majority of instances society accepts people with disabilities however there are and always will be exceptions to the norm. The biggest areas of discrimination in my experience are employment and Air New Zealand when it comes to travel.

·       Dan Buckingham

I tend to think that New Zealand generally has a considerate, integrative society. However, as with any population, there are always the few bad apples that will taint the whole bunch.

 

·       Geoffrey Cochrane

A lot better with every year.

·       Kerrin Tilley

Reasonably well.

·       Neil Cudby

There is still some discrimination in the work place but otherwise New Zealand is working really hard at integration and removing barriers.

Not particularly well. Too many places and facilities are inaccessible with operators who have no understanding of what restrictions this places on a disabled person. People seem afraid or feel awkward to involve you in every day activities and tend to want to wrap you in cotton wool rather than let you have a go. It is not until they see you enjoying yourself or competing evenly that they seem more willing to accept you.

 

 

 

Unfortunately I believe that rugby in New Zealand is in a very poor state. The laws/rules of the game are far too complicated and as a result the standard of refereeing is poor. I also feel that the value of attaining an All Black jersey has been lost in the professional era.

·       Dan Buckingham

To be honest, with being out of the country for the last two seasons of super rugby, I really don’t spend much time reading about or thinking about rugby so I can’t really comment with any authority. Personally, I still really enjoy watching a game live because I enjoy the entertainment, the atmosphere, the spectacle of the live performance and all that goes with it. However, I give little time to the vexed issues of where rugby is heading in the future.

·       Geoffrey Cochrane

I would like to see much better attendance levels at games. Unfortunately rule changes are a fact of life and players/supporters alike have to learn them and use them to their advantage.

·       Kerrin Tilley

Unfortunately grass roots rugby is not what it used to be, sometimes communities used to have two or three clubs but are now struggling to support one club. There are probably too many other things to do now days and with the computer and games technology kids are becoming couch potatoes. I also think there are too many test matches these days which means that the hype and atmosphere at the grounds is not what it was 10 to 20 years ago.

·       Neil Cudby

This is a very interesting question. I think we are going through an interesting period with professionalism and the complications it brings. It is almost as if a fully professional game does not suit New Zealand; some regions are really struggling in the modern era while others seem to be doing particularly well. Player numbers at grass roots level are dwindling and at the other end of the scale players can earn huge dollars over seas. The way we do things at the community level has changed massively in the last 20 years and I still don’t believe that we have got it right.

At the moment I feel that rugby at international level has become boring and the Tri Nations is too repetitive. Perhaps it should only be played every second year with a traditional All Black tour with mid week games and tests played in the alternate years.

 

Super 14 has been great with the introduction of the new rules.

 

NPC and grass roots rugby in particular still needs more funding to develop and encourage players to stay and improve our depth in smaller rugby communities. There is nothing better than having a beer in a rugby club with good representation across the grades while watching NPC or a test match. With the decrease in player numbers this may become a distant memory in some places.

 

 

FAVOURITE ALL BLACK?

·       Bob Porter

 

 

Over the years I have been fortunate and have had the privilege to meet personally many All Blacks from 1972 onwards until the early 90s. To pick one is impossible for me.

·       Dan Buckingham

Growing up I looked up to Josh Kronfeld and tried to emulate his relentless commitment. As I got a bit older I grew to appreciate the subtleties of Sean Fitzpatrick that made him such a strong leader. And now, I find it extremely hard to get passed the rounded skill set of Dan Carter.

 

·       Geoffrey Cochrane

Michael Jones

 

·       Kerrin Tilley

Kevin Meleamu and Michael Jones

·       Neil Cudby

Michael Jones/Zinzan Brooke

Jerry Collins/Christian Cullen

 

SHOULD NZ PLAYERS HAVE TO PLAY IN NZ TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE ALL BLACKS?

·       Bob Porter

 

 

 

 

No.

·       Dan Buckingham

I know it could possibly be a killer blow for New Zealand domestic rugby but I will say no to this one, because I want the All Blacks to be the best team New Zealand can field at any one time.

·       Geoffrey Cochrane

Yes, very much so. If players choose to play overseas for the big bucks then they have to forgo the right to represent their country.

·       Kerrin Tilley

I would prefer it if we retained the status quo. Having said that, I can fully understand guys heading off shore to seek their fortunes given their limited shelf life as players.

·       Neil Cudby

This is a tough and complex question. I think I will choose to leave that up to the policy makers at the NZRU.

·       Vaughan De Groen

Yes