You have reappeared a little fuller of figure, shall we say ...
I call it my winter coat. I was 114kg when I was suspended this year and the coaches made me do a mini-pre-season while I was off. I put on a few kilos - a bit of muscle and bit of eating. I enjoy my buffet meals ... I do need to lose a couple of kilos.
It must be fun going to work at the moment, with the Roosters playing so well and the form you are in.
There is a buzz around the place. My partner is always asking why I'm going to training two hours early. But it's great just to be around the place - there has been a great vibe all year.
Your teammate and Kiwi prospect Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been wowing us with his footwork ...
I've never seen anyone with footwork like that. It's a joy to watch. He's a very humble kid, very intelligent, and the best thing is he is always keen to learn. He's a sponge for knowledge, even from a frontrower. He's always asking questions.
Did you have a boyhood hero?
Heaps. I loved the way Gorden Tallis played, Petero Civoniceva ... Matt Scott, who is definitely the pinnacle of a frontrower now.
Has the frontrower's job changed in your time in the NRL?
I guess the props have more of a role now instead of just playing the big bash up. Most can pass and offload - it is important for frontrowers to be able to tip on, as we like to say. When I started out it was all about getting hold of the ball and running as hard as you could.
Is there one thing in rugby league you would like to change?
I'm not a fan of the judicial loading system. I probably haven't had the best run suspension-wise but I'm not the only player who thinks that way. You might get graded an extra 50 per cent on top because of something you did two years ago. We talk about it all the time ... it would be good if it was pushed out of the game.
What about that fiery reputation - what was Roosters coach Trent Robinson's attitude after the suspension this year?
It's a case of tweaking the [tackling] technique. I had a few words with Robbo and he doesn't want me to change my game. I have changed to a degree over the years - my approach now is all about doing my job for the team. I'm aware of the reputation, I get it all the time. But I am passionate and I'm not a big fan of losing.
Changing rooms can look like casualty wards - players soldier on with all sorts of injuries ...
We play with sore shoulders, AC joints ... most players these days aren't 100 per cent fit. They are always carrying sternum and rib cartilage injuries. It doesn't get spoken about much. There are some tough buggers around.
Other interests?
I'm an ambassador for the deaf and blind charities we've got at the club and I really enjoy going to see the kids. I love giving those kids a bit of time and putting a smile on their faces. It's a privilege.
You made it clear how much the Kiwi jersey meant to you when dropped ...
I bleed black. It was always a dream of mine to wear the black jumper. I'm still really passionate about it and just talking about it now gives me goose bumps.
How do you feel about a player like James Tamou - New Zealand raised, a member of the Kiwi camp who then pulled on the Kangaroos jersey?
He talks like one of the boys when we have conversations - we call it talking hori. A few of the boys were a bit disappointed when he made the call but at the end of the day that was his decision.
New Zealand's overall record against Australia is not good yet the Kiwis have won the big finals in recent years. Are you confident the Kiwis will retain the World Cup this year?
We're never really good at the one-off tests. Every year I've been involved, we talk up the Anzac game but don't come through with the goods. The more time we spend together, the more bonding, the more the real culture comes out in the team. In the past we've stepped up for the big games. I'd like to think we are confident - everyone needs to do his job and each individual has a massive part to play in retaining that cup.
