The All Black great has his hands full with a young family and his well-publicised health issues, and any rugby promotion he does seems to happen further afield.
Shame, because the big man is a very nice bloke - well, he was pleasant that one time I interviewed him - and surely has plenty to offer New Zealand rugby. Other countries recognise the unparalleled impact he had on the game; one wonders if there is still some resistance to his status on home soil.
His original autobiography, released 10 years ago, was a quality read, offering a reasonable level of insight into how the kid from South Auckland became the biggest global figure in rugby history.
This update reproduces the original book and tacks on a few chapters with the events of the past decade.
There is some fascinating stuff about his difficult relationship with his father, his high-profile relationship breakdowns and, of course, his kidney transplant. There is also the story - well, his side of it - of the collapse of his relationship with Phil Kingsley-Jones.
Well worth a read.
- Hayden Meikle is ODT sports editor.
