was in 1997 when he was playing for Southland Boys' High and I was playing for Otago Boys'. We were both sixth formers. Then the following year I played against him in the semifinal of the secondary schools competition when he was playing for Kelston Boys' High, then we were in the under-19s together so we go back a fair way together really. He won in 1997 and we did in '98. I keep reminding him of that.
He was a good player back then
and already had the ability to take the right options. At school in Otago everyone certainly knew who Mils was when he was down at Southland Boys'. He was one of the guys who was bit of a threat.
It's comforting having him at the back
because he takes good options most of the time. There's nothing worse than having a fullback there and you don't know what the hell's going to happen. That's no good as a forward and that's why it good having him there.
He's still as good
as he ever was. Perhaps we haven't had as many opportunities in the last couple of weeks, but I thought the middle part of the year he played some of his best rugby. He's got the confidence to drive the guys around him. When they do that there's opportunities and that's when he comes into his own I think.
When he had his thumb injury
this year I know it was frustrating for him. Even when he came into the team it still wasn't that good and he hurt it just before the first Welsh test. I know he was like 'Oh, this is horrible' but once he got out on the field it was amazing, it looked as if he had been playing right up until then. I know when you're injured and you're not playing you start to think 'When is it going to come right and what am I doing this for?'
Mils on Richie
I've been really fortunate
to come through he grades with Richie, so it's not just the All Blacks. We started playing against each other for our school teams. He wasn't so brilliant that I can remember us talking about him at Southland - at that age you just want to play well for your school. It wasn't really until I moved to Auckland that I became really aware of him. Kelston had won the world secondary schools champs and then we came back and Otago Boys' beat us, so I still get a bit of stick about that. He had a lot of competition back then from guys like Josh Blackie. He was a little bit behind him, but you could just sense the talent that was coming through in Richie.
He'd be the first to admit
he's learned a lot about leadership over the years. When we were younger, he wasn't the sort of guy I looked four or five years ahead and thought, 'Far out, he's going to be a good leader.' In the past few years he's obviously learned a lot about his leadership and the things he can do a bit better. His actions speak for themselves. He's an exceptional leader.
You have to distance yourself a bit
from your team-mates as captain. There is a lot of responsibility being an All Black, but when you're All Black captain there's even more. You obviously say it how it is to the coaches and he does that in a very good way. Also, you can't pretend to get too close to the boys because in some ways he's got to make some big decisions on the field and off it that might affect them. He's get along with the boys, I'm not saying otherwise, but there's a certain degree to which you have to distance yourself.
The three tests I had as All Blacks captain
gave me a massive appreciation for what Richie does. Man, I don't know how he puts up with the pressure that he's under. I had to do a speech at Parliament and, gee, I couldn't stop thinking about it all day.
The other night he just wanted a cup of coffee
and to see how I was and what my thoughts were, so I think that trust has been built over a number of years. There are certain times when you, I shouldn't say bitch and moan, but are talking to him about certain things that he will keep to himself then repeat in his own way to the people who need to know.
He's a guy who has come a very long way
and I have nothing but the highest praise for him and what he's done not only on the playing field, but off it. His leadership is immense. For myself, it's been great helping him lead a team and to have his trust. The weekend's going to be an honour and what better person to share it with than Richie.
WHAT:
All Blacks vs Scotland
WHERE:
Murrayfield
WHEN:
6.15am Sunday (NZT)
TV:
Sky Sport 1
