All Black legend Sean Fitzpatrick proudly admits he was a "horrible bugger" on the rugby field.
The affable, but highly competitive World Cup winner was a scourge to opposition players from his debut for the national team in 1986, and has been involved in a host of pursuits off the field since retiring in 1997.
He was in Masterton this week to promote his new book, Winning Matters, and spoke at a lunch held for the Wairarapa Sports Education Trust at the Copthorne at Solway.
In the book he speaks of the importance of winning over just taking part, and was equally forthright yesterday.
"You need to be arrogant to be successful, but you leave it on the field.
"And that was me to a tee - I would have been a horrible bugger to play against."
He said it was great to be reunited with Sir Brian Lochore again, the man who first chose Fitzpatrick for the New Zealand under-21s and then the All Blacks.
These days he is based in London with wife Bronwyn, and their two daughters, Grace and Eva.
He works variously as a speaker, motivator and commentator.
All Black legend in Masterton
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