How Brad Weber defied doubters
The Rugby World Cup in France is only six months away. One player jostling for position is Chiefs and Ma¯ori All Blacks co-captain Brad Weber (Nga¯ti Porou). The 32-year-old, confessed ‘stereotypical’ halfback chats to
Serious question first, Brad. Why are you such a vocal advocate for rainbow inclusion in sport?
I have family members that are gay. Seeing what they went through really made me want to help that community feel included. I know how hard it was for my family members to come out. Casual language (in sport) affects people struggling with their sexuality. I remember when I was back at school, the use of homophobic slurs so casually were a daily occurrence, and there still is today. I didn’t realise at the time how much of an impact that could have had on people around me that were struggling. I’m just really passionate about changing that culture, to help those in the community to stay in sport and stay in rugby. Rugby, until recently with Campbell (Johnstone), hadn’t had a gay All Black . . . and hopefully one day we’ll see an active All Black that is gay. That would be really cool, but we’ve got a long way to go.
Is it true you were told you were too small to play professional rugby?
Multiple times! This is why I owe a lot to ‘Nuggy’ (Aaron Smith). There was a time there when halfbacks were quite big . . . Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Justin Marshall; those guys were quite big, and I didn’t fit that mould, obviously. But I thought ‘I’m
going to prove you wrong’. It added to my motivation. Then Nuggy came along and changed the game and I thought ‘if he can do it, I can do it’.
Where do you sit on the team bus, and next to whom?
I sit at the back and next to (Chiefs and All Blacks team-mate) Damien McKenzie. I love sitting next to me ol’ mate because we have an absolute, ridiculous love of (films) Happy Gilmore and Home Alone 2, and we just say quotes from both of those movies for hours.
Happy Gilmore! Speaking of golf, why do rugby players play so much golf, and what’s your handicap?
My handicap is a six at the moment, so I’m going pretty good. We play so much golf (because) it’s low impact on your body. It’s good
for rehab and recovery. You’re going out for a walk. It’s good for competitiveness, and I just love the challenge. You can never be perfect. You’re always chasing that big hit and the nice putt. And I love taking money off Anton LienertBrown too . . . I think everybody does!
[Brad’s cat interrupts the interview] Hello, puss! What’s the cat’s name?
Oh, sorry! Her name is Barbs. I’m a big fan of older people’s names for pets, for some reason I love it.
Ditto. I have a cat named Frank.
Right. Frank, perfect. It’s all part of the show, the cats!
Back to sports, you’re a huge basketball fan. So what sport do you prefer: rugby or basketball? Basketball. If I was a foot taller, I’d be in the NBA . . . I’m telling ya! I’d play for the Atlanta Hawks. They’re my favourite team. I’d be a point guard.
As a student, you studied at Otago Uni, so what was the worst thing about living on Castle Street? The worst thing was finishing your lease and having to clean your flat after having not done it the entire year, and it’s an absolute piece of crap.
This interview has been edited for length, but to hear the full interview with Brad Weber, listen to the bonus episode of The Podium out tomorrow at stuff. co.nz/podium