I got approached by Keano [chairman Peter Kean] about it, and they were looking to sell down some of their stake. He was very keen to get some ex-players involved and people who were a bit more connected with the region. It really just started with that. He asked me if we could pull together a group of ex-players who would be keen. And it was pretty easy, really.
The response from Taine Randell and John Timu and the others was positive straight away?
Yeah, it was. It helped having Marc, of course, ha ha. We sort of pooled resources and got the deal done. For us, it’s not so much a financial decision. It’s just a passion for the region and for a team that we just want to see do well. I think enough of us have got a bit of knowledge about rugby and potentially other opportunities that we can hopefully help the Highlanders with, because it’s tough at the moment.
What will Marc bring as the front man of your ownership group?
He’s certainly got the business acumen. He’s been involved with some pretty successful businesses. And he’s got the marketing perspective, and maybe puts a different lens on that side of things. He’s got connections up north, which is important. He’s already got a few ideas. Probably not all of them will get across the line, ha ha. The actual rugby side of things is not for him. He doesn’t watch a lot. But he’s just going to be Marc Ellis. He’s so passionate about the region and wants to see the team do well.
What do you think are the big challenges ahead for the Highlanders and for rugby?
Rugby in general, as a spectacle, is struggling. There are so many rules and things involved that it does make it at times a hard watch. That’s something World Rugby probably has to think about — making it more of a spectacle, especially when you look at the other sports that are fun to watch. For us, it’s around recruitment and retention. We’ve got a good academy system and some good young players coming through, but we’re probably just lacking at the really top level of recruitment. We’ll have to work really hard with that. Is it a level playing field? I’m not really sure if it is. I don’t know whether some form of draft system or salary cap might be the answer. It’s not easy. But basically, we want a spectacle. We want a competition with good, even games. And at the moment it seems a bit heavily weighted towards a couple of teams.
Do you think the Highlanders have a bright future as a big part of this region?
Yeah, I think so. I know everyone works hard at this but we probably have to look at what our identity is. I know all teams say that. You’re not going to get it right all the time but you need to find the right players who will fit the culture. That’s the challenge. We don’t want to be seen as, you know: if you can’t get a job anywhere else, you come down here.
What do you think are the selling points for the Highlanders?
A great stadium. And I think we’ve got a community and a region that really get behind their team. If the wider region can see that players are really giving it their guts, and coming off the field and looking their mates and family and supporters in the eye, that’s all they can ask. We’re a passionate region. It’s a great place to live, and a great place to play rugby. I struggle a little bit with players who are quite happy to sign two- or three-year deals to sit behind All Blacks, when there are opportunities down here. To me, I don’t understand why they wouldn’t give it a crack.
One of the Highlanders’ young talents is Fabian Holland, playing in your old position of lock. What do you like about him?
He’s got a massive career ahead. He’s got a huge work rate, he’s fit, he’s an intelligent footy player. He has been awesome. I think he has a big future. Like all those young fellas — Cam Millar, Oli Haig, Jake Te Hiwi. There are some good kids coming through.
You played 53 games for the Highlanders. Favourite memory?
Probably the 1998 and 1999 seasons. We were down the bottom in 1997 but battled our way into a semifinal in 1998. We were unlucky to lose at Eden Park. Then obviously 1999, when we had to go to South Africa to beat the Stormers, and the Crusaders knocked off the Reds, so we came home for the final. We were probably just a bit stuffed with that extra travel.
You were also part of the amazing Otago team in 1998 that stormed to victory in the NPC. Must have been a highlight?
We were a really tight group. All my best mates are from that era. We just had a lot of fun, on and off the field.
That team was full of rock stars. Did it feel like the poor old locks, you and Brendon Timmins, got a bit overlooked?
It didn’t worry me too much. What it probably allowed you to do was just focus on your own job. You didn’t have to do other people’s jobs. You knew there was some star power there. We were pretty blessed around that time. You look at the Highlanders now, and some of the senior guys who are great players look like they have a huge weight on their shoulders. They’re probably trying to do too many people’s jobs. And I think it affects their play. We were able to just get on and do our jobs.
Oh, I mean, there were some good locks around at that time. I guess it was a timing thing.
What did you do after your Highlanders career finished in 2002?
I had three years playing for Grenoble in France. That was interesting. The style of French rugby is completely different. But what an awesome experience. I loved the culture, and it was a great opportunity to see a different part of the world. When I finished up in France, I was wondering what I was going to do. And an opportunity came up to go to Cambridge. I was an old undergrad — 32. It was very cool. I had to turn my brain on again. And I played in three Varsity matches. They were very different. You can’t recruit anyone. So you get the situation where your best hooker might have been in the Fourth XV at Waitaki Boys’. Cambridge was an awesome experience. And it opened up doors to go and work in London.
What did you do in London?
I worked there for a year, at Lehman Brothers. Then they went bankrupt. I went to work one day, twiddling my thumbs and wondering what we were going to do now. They took a sword to the grad programme. We’d just had our oldest son, and realised it was time to go home.
What do you do now?
I’m a financial adviser at Craig’s Investment Partners. I love it. You meet lots of people and it’s an interesting line of work.
Your brother, Duncan, also played for the Highlanders and Otago. Where is he these days?
Dunc is a partner in a law firm in London. He played at Cambridge before me.
Tell me about your wife, who was Tara Pate when many people knew her as an exceptional netballer. Was it a classic "Otago rugby player meets Otago netballer" story?
Hah, I think a few marriages came out of that particular weekend. Goldie and Adine Wilson, and the Stanleys [Anna and Jeremy]. We met in 1999. I think it helped having someone who had similar interests and training regimes. We could bounce ideas off each other.
Are you guys still involved in sport?
We coach a bit. Tara’s coaching a fair bit of netball. I’m helping out with the Kaikorai under-8s, and I’m involved with the Otago University club and Otago Boys’ a wee bit. We’re following the kids around.
How many children?
Sullivan is 14. Honor is turning 12 this year. And Mackay has just turned 8.
All Highlanders fans?
Absolutely. We go to as many games as we can. The kids love it. I think they kind of know their dad played rugby, but not really.
