Position: I am a Hooker (but I’ve been used as a utility front row recently)
Nationality/heritage: Northern
First HKS appearance: Super Saturday 2017 against Cricket Club
No. of HKS caps: 50
Favourite rugby player: Sean Taylor
Nickname: Tuggers, Tuffers, The slug
Congratulations on joining the 50 club! Of your 50 Scottish appearances, which has been your most memorable and why?
A couple of games really stand out. Beating Valley in the semi-final at the rock to qualify for HKS’ first-ever grand final. I remember Jamie (Pincott) tackling someone into touch and the stand erupting. That was probably the best HKS side I was involved with and it really deserved to win the championships, however, luck wasn’t on our side. Another game that stands out is beating Valley last year – our only win of the Covid season with Pierre nudging a penalty from his own half to win it. But the most memorable is probably beating Kowloon this year. We’d had a rough few weeks, massively depleted side, and Kowloon were coming in having just beaten Football Club and I think the whole league had written us off. Then up steps the magician McNeish with a last-play drop goal to win it. They were stupid enough to let me carry the phase before, so I didn’t see it go over but, hearing the screams, I knew he’d nailed it. Nothing beats winning in the last play especially with a droppie.
In your fifth season, after a series of failed retirement attempts, what do you love most about playing rugby for Hong Kong Scottish?
I only tried to retire once ha. I agreed to play this year and last. I think it’s just the Club’s ethos and what HKS stands for. We’ve always been a good bunch of lads that play rugby for the right reasons and we may not have the resources of Club or the money of Valley, but we’ve got spirit and lots of it. That’s what rugby has always been about for me. Getting around the boys.
I should also mention that we have without doubt the best committee at any club in Hong Kong people like Roy, Stewart (you can’t mention Stewart with mentioning Marie) Dave and Stephen. The ‘old boys’ are legends and what they’ve created is awesome and seeing them there at every game and event, I guess it just makes you want to stay a part of it. I’m incredibly grateful for their support and what they’ve created.
As Head Coach of the Nomads (Prem A) team, it can sometimes be challenging pulling a team together, but there is a real spirit there and we’ve recorded some great wins this season. What are the ingredients to that success?
I’d love to say it’s all down to me, but I can’t take any of the credit for this. I’ve not been able to give the nomads as much time as they deserve this year with my playing commitments, so thanks to people like Andy Bentall (Catty) and Brucey for stepping in and helping. One thing the Nomads have always had is spirit and club legends coming in and helping out like Luke Davey, Jo Tuisoso and the People’s Champ Ho Yin – these boys have just passed it on to the new era. It also really helps having such good people. People like Otto, Mitch and Jack Weir – they’re such good blokes you just want to play with them.
Off the pitch, one of your greatest achievements at the Club has been 5911 Miles (charity walk/run fundraiser), raising over $350,000 for two charities. How did the idea come about and what are your fondest memories of it?
At the time I was the Club’s social secretary and Sarah had text me asking if I could follow on from the girls and run some sort of fundraiser for MyName5 Doddie. At the time there was no rugby and I’d just joined an event on Strava to see how many KM’s I could run in a week and I was going to attempt to run the Hong Kong trail that Sunday. I was on the toilet (you asked) doing some research into the Hong Kong trail and the idea came to me. I searched how far away Murrayfield was. Did some quick calculations and thought, yeah let’s have it. I text Jamie Pincott and Jack Parfitt for their opinions before I floated it to Sarah and the two of them thought it could work. I never dreamed we’d make so much money and even going into the week of the event I didn’t think we’d hit 5911 miles. Jess hated me even more then usual that week as I spent so much time refreshing Strava to see how far we’d gone. I was pretty pumped when I saw how many people got involved and what a success it was. It just goes to show what a great community HKS is and how far and wide our community is spread.
I’d love to try and do something again this year. Can’t promise it will be as big as 5911 miles but we’ll deffo do something!
What are the most amount of Gregg’s items you’ve eaten in one sitting and what were they?
I went home a couple of years ago for Christmas and if you land terminal two Manchester as you come out the arrivals gate you’re met with that sweet smell of sausage rolls. It had been about two years since I’d had a Greggs and I’m really feeling it. The in-laws were in the pick-up area and were telling us to be quick as they didn’t have long left on the meter. This wasn’t enough to put me off. I bought 2 sausage rolls, a festive bake, a sausage cheese and bean melt, a yum yum and a fizzy orange Lucozade and it was heaven on earth. I didn’t even say hello to the in-laws till I’d finished, just sat in the back chewing.
Everybody knows that your favourite karaoke number is ‘Shallow’, but which is your second favourite?
I LOVE Shallow, it is and will forever be number one. The Mrs even allowed it to be our first dance at our wedding party here in HK, despite it being about not being together! Number 2 is tough, I’ve had many a good taxi journey with Jamie singing Adele and Journey and Sweet Caroline go right back to university times with Sean (Taylor). But if I was to pick a number 2 I’d probably have to say ‘Horses’ by Darryl Braithwaite.
Can I take this opportunity to also thank Stewart and Marie for agreeing to be my player sponsors this year. You’re like my HK Grandma and Grandpa and it’s great having your support at every HKS game.
