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Cory - AKA Benson, Brownie, Brother of Tony, Up Town |
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Bonjour Hawks,
Well where to start!!
I am currently living in Ireland with Carla and our 2 kids, Louis (two and Delilah one).
I left Dunedin in January 2004 after finishing my degree and headed for the land of fine wine, cheese, smelly Frenchmen and the craziest supporters (& players) you will ever come across - France. I got a contract to play for Paris University Club (PUC), a very famous club in France whose alumnus include a number of ex All Blacks and other former internationals from France and the Wallabies. PUC set me up with a great flat in the centre of Paris, a tad small so here wasn't much cat swinging going on but very close to the OZ Cafe Pub.
After getting my head around my team mates wearing a cricket box to play rugby, we had a dream run at PUC. Winning 16 games on the trot and winning the Championship of France Fed 2 for the 1st time in their history. With the scores locked at 6-6 with 1 min to go, they kicked off deep and we decided to run it, they thought we would kick it out and play for extra time but that's not the (PUC) way, after spinning it though the backs, our winger scored a 90m try in the corner. Some try and plenty of smelly French hugs, tears and beers for a number of days. Champions of France!!
I then headed to the South West of France to play for Tarbes Pyrenees Rugby, ProD 2, which is 2nd division in France. I had 2 seasons for them and had a great time playing very good rugby and living the great French lifestyle. During this time I sent out an SOS to NZ and Carla came over to live with me in Tarbes. We were joined by another Hawk (Porno) for my second season who also signed for Tarbes Rugby. While playing in the last game of the season and no contract for the next year I ruptured my knee ligament (ACL) and needed it reconstructed.
After 6 months of rehab in the Bordeaux region we went back to Paris and the PUC to play. Landed a new contract at the end of 2007 for a club in Italy - Leonessa Rugby in Rovato. So packed up the flat and Carla (then 8 months pregnant) and started learning a new language. Formed in 2001, it is located between Milan and Brescia and has previously been coached by Frank Bunce in 2001. A great place to live and Louis my son was born there in November 2007.
Leonessa Rugby Club folded that season so I headed to Japan for a month of training with Sanyo and Tony before heading to Ireland with Carla (then 6 months pregnant with our 2nd) and Louis.
To date I am the Head Coach, sometimes player when not injured and Youth Rugby Officer with Ballina RFC, whom I played with when I was 20yrs old with former Hawks, Grunter and Bubbles. They are both married with kids and still living here in Ballina. Delilah our 2nd was born in December 2008. Unfortunately in March 2009 I injured my other knee and had to have my ACL & MCL reconstructed so hoping to be back on the pitch soon.
I have been doing loads of travelling over Europe, Africa, Asia and back home so can't complain too much and have 2 amazing kids. Carla and I are getting married in Thailand, Phuket in April 2010, which we are really looking forward to.
Keep Cool!! - Salut, Ciao.
Cory