Some interviews can be awkward, not testy or spiteful, just stuttering. It could be like that with Graeme Bachop which was unusual for someone who wore the No 9 jersey.
Most halfbacks are boisterous blokes who have little trouble dishing out orders or mixing it with blokes who are much bigger than them. Their job is to chivvy and cajole and many transpose those qualities to the rest of their lives.
Not Grim though. He was shy, even around his teammates although he did thaw in his senior All Black years. By nature he was reserved but his talents shouted long and loud.
His scuttling runs were rapid and his passing was ultra-rapid. A flick of those steel wrists and the ball was zipping its way to Grant Fox or Andrew Mehrtens while Bachop also had a useful kicking game to take the heat off his five eighths.
Despite a mid-career lull and signing for a Japanese club, Bachop was called back to the All Blacks for the 1995 World Cup where his game suited the team style and the hard grounds in South Africa.
He played every match, except the pool game romp against Japan, where his crisp delivery was a huge boost for the All Blacks collection of attacking backs. Bachop's speed meant he was an invaluable support player and cleared the rucks with great poise.
Bachop was into his third season with the All Blacks when he made his test debut against Wales on the 1989 tour and after he left for Japan in 1995, new coach John Hart unsuccessfully tried to get the NZRU to alter their eligibility rules so he could pick the halfback.
Statistics
Date of birth: 11 June 1967
Position: Halfback
Matches: 54
Tests: 31
Test debut: 4 November 1989 v Wales, Cardiff
Last test: 29 July 1995 v Australia, Sydney
Province: Canterbury
Test tries: 4
Test points: 18