EARNING RESPECT
Q
As well as internationally, you were also making inroads on the home front as a NSW player and captain. How would you describe your leadership style?
A
I like to lead by example and be inclusive and get other people’s opinions. I’m not a loud person but I tried to get everyone involved. You don’t have to get along and be best friends but it was important to have the respect of your teammates. In a team, you do anything for each other. I didn’t like having cliques in the team or anything like that.
Q
Australia has always been successful on the world stage but that 1995 World Cup was fairly comprehensive, going undefeated and beating South Africa in the final. What was the team culture and belief like in those days?
A
We were number one. Coming from NSW, and there were a few of us in the team, we had that winning culture. No matter how much you were down, you would always fight back and win or if you were on top, you’d stay on top. We had that belief we could do anything but we also had respect for our opposition, especially New Zealand because they were always a tough opponent. We never went in thinking we were going to lose but we had to fight for it. We’d always do it together. In 1995, we ended up facing
New Zealand before the finals because they lost to South Africa. We basically had our grand final match before and beat them by one point. We beat them throughout the year but when it comes to a World Championships, they find that extra bit of motivation.