Athlete

It was in 2003 that I realised there was no choice but to have dialysis treatment - by the time of the World Cup that year, I could barely walk. A year later, I finally had a kidney transplant.

Looking back, my whole life seems so surreal. I didn't just turn up on the doorstep playing rugby; I had to go through a whole lot of things to get there.

Towards the end of 2003 it was hard to get through training - and the darkest point was when a doctor told me there was a possibility I could end up in a wheelchair.

Looking back, my whole life seems so surreal. I didn't just turn up on the doorstep playing rugby; I had to go through a whole lot of things to get there.

It was like falling off a building and suddenly, bang, you hit the bottom. The first time it happened was on an ordinary day at home. I was taking down some curtains. I took one step, turned around, took another step and then I fell and hit my head hard on the rowing machine.

I was this guy who'd been racing around down there, on that field in 1999, running straight over people, scoring tries, winning games, having fun. And I ended up so sick I couldn't even run past a little baby.

It's a really exciting time to be involved in Welsh rugby.

I have crooked toes from wearing boots that didn't fit me because that's all I could afford as a kid.

Until 1998, I worked in marketing at ASB bank. I loved it.

It was in 2003 that I realised there was no choice but to have dialysis treatment - by the time of the World Cup that year, I could barely walk. A year later, I finally had a kidney transplant.

The biggest thing for me is just to get out on that field. Just to do that will be incredible.

It annoys me when people who don't know what they're talking about boo the referee.

I was diagnosed with the illness right before the 1995 World Cup.

Towards the end of 2003 it was hard to get through training - and the darkest point was when a doctor told me there was a possibility I could end up in a wheelchair.

I always say to people that you have never seen the best of me, and that's what I mean - I've never been fully fit.

I went to a boarding school with a strong Maori tradition, where we were taught all about the haka.

For me to get through the toughest periods in my life, I had to look within to find the energy to do it. I don't give up. Never have. Never will.

I am very excited to be here in Wales and look forward to putting on the Cardiff Blues shirt.

I always say to people that you have never seen the best of me, and that's what I mean - I've never been fully fit.

How do I take a step? How do I lift my foot off the ground, move it through the air a little bit and then bring it down? I had to teach myself to walk again.