![Paul Miller. Photo: Linda Robertson/ODT files](https://www.odt.co.nz/sites/default/files/styles/odt_landscape_extra_large_4_3/public/story/2024/07/ruby_old_boys_2_190723_0.jpg?itok=ue9IPJXM)
Miller is one of the participants in the latest season of Match Fit on TV3.
It brings together former All Blacks and Kiwis rugby league players to both examine their physical and mental wellbeing and have a chance to get back on the field.
"Let’s just say that competitive nature is still in everyone’s DNA. You don’t lose it," Miller said.
"You will find out how competitive some people are. Carlos Spencer, more than others.
"But we were all into it. League versus rugby — and it got pretty testy."
Alongside Miller on the rugby side are former All Blacks Spencer, Frank Bunce, Pita Alatini, Ofisa Tonu’u and Piri Weepu, while league is represented by Ali Lauititi, Henry Fa’afili, Lesley Vainikolo, Clinton Toopi, Louis Anderson and Paul Whatuira.
Miller heads north for the launch next week and the first episode airs on July 24.
He also enjoyed another run-around with old mates earlier this year when he took part in the Pack The Park charity event in Invercargill.
That was special for him, not only because of his own experience with cancer but because he played under-58kg rugby with the event’s inspiration, the late Blair Vining.
It is 23 years since the high point of Miller’s career when he played in two midweek games for the All Blacks on their tour of Ireland and Scotland.
While he later reached his best form for Southland and the Highlanders, he never earned a recall. He finished his career with a long spell in Japan, and has a flicker of regret when he looks back on what he achieved.
"One of the things I talk to young ones about is goals, or goal-setting. Yes, it’s important, but it shouldn’t be about just one outcome.
"I wanted to be an All Black, and I was privileged and honoured to be one. But there was no contingency plan after that.
"What do you do when you are at the top of the mountain? For whatever reason, I probably didn’t do enough to maintain and sustain that.
"Do I have regrets? Yeah, I probably do. But I can’t change anything now."
Miller loves to watch a good ball-running No 8 in his image and is excited about the rise of All Blacks rookie Wallace Sititi.
He helped coach the Dunedin Metro under-16 team to win the South Island tournament last year and is now with the under-17 squad, and he has enjoyed being a radio comments man for Newstalk ZB.