The call went out to the Mafia for some questions for Colin Bourke to answer while he recovers from his injury. Unfortunately some fans of that other Bay managed to sneak a couple of questions in. Thanks to Colin for taking time to do this and you can follow his thoughts on Twitter http://twitter.com/Bourkey8

1. If the Mafia bribe him with a chocolate fish will he sign with BOP for a further 10 years?

Lets just say im not a big fan of chocolate fish haha

2. Is the spiral bomb an under appreciated piece of aerial artistry?

Definitely...NRL use it alot but noone really uses it in union.

3. How does he see this years ITM cup shaping up? Are the non S15 players already in training? How much contact does he have with BOP during super rugby season?

Yea boys back here in the bay are already underway and looking fit...this years comp is going to suit the bay i reckon with the mid wek games meaning less training because historically we play better off short turnarounds...i am in contact with the management a lot..especially with this injury at the mo.
 
4. How long before he is back on the field?

Targeting 6-10 weeks
 
5. When's he coming home to the real Bay! The mighty Magpies!!!

Never forget my time in Hawkes Bay but BOP is my home now.

6. How disgusted did both him and Dan Waenga feel with themselves scoring the winning tries over the Magpies at their home park?

Hated every moment of it...hated it even more going up to the aftermatch haha

7. Does he think he'll ever become a coach or referee after retiring?

Probably not a ref but have already completed my Level 1 and 2 coaching certificate.

8. What is his most memorable game of rugby?

Barbarians game was huge..the calibre of players with and against was huge for me,just to watch guys prepare for a test was a good experience...in a close second would have to be not only shield game in 04,but the way we defended against Wellington and Waikato! 

9. My question would be around his transition from 15 to 8. Firstly, why did he do it? Secondly, what additional skills did he need, and what did he find came easy, and what was harder to develop? Also, say thanks for kicking all those goals for HB against Thames Valley at Waihi in 2003 to save HB the embarassment of losing (and me a slab of beer)

Haha remember that HB game vividly...hmmm i played my club footy at 8 but the incumbent 8 for the magpies was also captain so was told nicely that i would miss out as a loosie but there was an opportunity in the backs, having come off a NZ Sevens series i thought why not id give it a go. Played every position in the backline that year except halfback. Learnt heaps, vision, how to read a game and obviously the kicking side of things... 

10. What was it like to win the Ranfurly Shield something you would never have been able to achieve by staying in hawkes bay? 

Haha it was huge never could have imagined the roller coaster of the 2004...awesome times 

11. Did you move to bop so you could play first division instead of playing second division with the magpies?

Yes..was too good an opportunity to pass up! 

12. What do you prefer to drink? hawkes bay home brew beer or the excellent (kawerau beer) mata?

I brew my own beer!

13. Who is the guy that you most enjoying spend a night drinking a quiet beer with and who is the prankster in the Bay team?

Quiet?..jeez that kind dosent happen to often,haha...any of the bay boys really we all get on really well 

14. Your first game for the Bay was their most famous victory ever. How did it feel walking into that celebration as the new boy?

Surreal..id come from HB club rugby to playing auckland on Eden Park...Pretty cool.
 
15. I first saw you up close at the Mafia end of season do in 2004. You seem about twice the size now, how hard has it been to gain the bulk required to play number 8 at the top level?

Well i came here out of school and had never seen a gym really so once i got into that it sort of came quickly...i started off here around the 95kg mark and now play around the 105-108kg thru the season
 
16. Which is your favourite Bay try?

Probably last years one against Hawkes Bay for obvious reasons.