Rugby: 60 seconds with Luke Romano

Luke Romano has put his building career on hold. Photo / Getty Images

Q. Did you give Piri Weepu stick after running around him in the Crusaders' win over the Blues at AMI Stadium?

No I didn't. A few of the other guys might have, though. I think he might have slipped.

Q. Pig hunting or deer hunting?

I'm a pig hunter at heart - I've got four dogs. But I do like deer hunting as well. I like to get out when the deer are roaring but I've been in South Africa for the past couple of years when they have been in roar [April-May]. It's duck shooting season at the moment so I'm into that.

Q. Where do you keep your dogs?

At home in Christchurch.

Q. Weapon of choice?

Pig hunting - my dogs and a knife. When deer shooting it's a 7mm Dakota [rifle].

Q. Do you drive an old ute or a flash vehicle from the All Blacks' sponsor?

I drive a new Ford Ranger ute with a dog box on the back which is covered in mud and scratches. I'll have to clean it up before I give it back, but I'm sure it will be fine.

Q. What's the last book you read?

I do like reading, actually, especially last thing at night before I go to sleep. I like hunting books. The last one I read was My Stalking Memories by Major R.A. Wilson. It's about deer hunting in New Zealand in the early 1900s.

Q. Is it true Sir John Kirwan tried to sign you for Italy when he was coach?

I think someone from an Italian club rang me when JK was still coaching in Japan before he went to Italy, saying he was interested. It was because of my Italian heritage, obviously.

Q. What's the link there?

My dad's father was Italian.

Q. Do you speak the language?

No.

Q. You're a fully qualified builder. When was the last time you hammered in a nail?

Yes, I fully qualified before my rugby career took off. Last time I hammered a nail? That's a very good question [pause]. It was in the off season in December when I helped my mate Robbie build a fence to keep his dogs in. He gave me a shout so I threw the old tool belt on again.

Q. What do you do when you're finished with your size 17 boots?

There's a few people that I help out with my old boots; a kid at St Thomas' [Christchurch] and a young guy in Auckland. Unfortunately there's not a big demand for size 17 boots. One pair will generally last me a season.

Q. You used to be a fast bowler. Do you miss cricket?

Yes and no. It's a pretty long day. It can be a grind when you're out in the field for two days. But now that they've brought in the Twenty20 stuff it's a bit more interesting. Horey [Highlander and All Black Andrew Hore] invited me to his annual match in December at Patearoa Domain [near Ranfurly in Central Otago] which was fun.

Q. Listen to music before a match?

Yes, I have quite a diverse selection - a bit of rap, a bit of hip hop, a bit of pop, and dance.

Q. Are you much of a dancer?

No, I can't dance to save myself.