INSIDE THE MIND OF… JAKE BALL

“A is very special and to get 50 would be a massive honour. It’s a milestone and it’s something I’m

targeting.”

“I think is here to stay. My wife would say no but I’ve actually said I might keep growing it until I see her again, so get it extra long, and then shave it off

when I see her.”

the beard

“have gone back to Perth and I won’t see them until the end of the season. It’s pretty tough but we made the decision because of Covid. I was going to be away more and I’d be leaving her at home, heavily pregnant, with three kids. It was best for her and the kids to be with family in Australia.”

“We always talked about four being the

(in terms of children) and it’s pretty exciting. We’ve got two girls, a boy and another boy on the way. I’m

pumped.”

number

My wife and kids

magic

“was a big decision and a lot of people thought I was mad at the time. I was playing for Fremantle and was involved in the Western Australia set-up, but I wasn’t enjoying it any more. It wasn’t what I wanted to do as a career.”

Leaving cricket

“My dad didn’t play professionally but his knowledge of the game is very good and he’s

with me. He’s the first guy I’ll speak to when I come off the pitch. He’s been a big influence on me and has supported me all

the way.”

honest

“I didn’t watch much rugby as a kid

– I was more interested in going out and kicking a ball – but was big then. I enjoyed his PlayStation

game too.”

“When I left cricket I was 97kg (he’s now 121kg) and I worked as a PT and instructor as there wasn’t any rugby being played at that time of year. I’ve always been a fiery character and I think I missed that aggressive

nature that there is in rugby.”

boxing

brutally

Jonah Lomu