My life in sport: Phil Burrows

Phil Burrows. Photo / Chris Skelton

Phil Burrows was missing when the team he will lead at this month's World Cup was named in Auckland yesterday, but he had a good reason - he is on his honeymoon in Queenstown.

He took time out to answer the questions Terry Maddaford put to him.

What are your aims for the rest of the year?

Of course it is a very busy one. Our initial aim is to do well at the World Cup. To claim a spot in the semifinals would be fantastic.

Then we want a good Champions Trophy. We finish our year at the Commonwealth Games.

It would be a disappointment if we didn't get a medal there. In between times I will go back to Europe to finish the season there.

When you were 13 years old, what sport did you fancy yourself as a future star in?

In those days I tended towards cricket. Hockey did not get the same accolades. I spent a lot of time on the bank at the Basin Reserve, but I had a hockey stick in my hand when I was 4.

Describe your job.

It is fun. It can be tough at times. I expect a lot from the other players but when we win it is rewarding.

What's the best thing about your job?

Winning. Losing is boring and frustrating. At the moment we are on a bit of an unbeaten run but we know we are going to get tested at the World Cup.

And the worst thing?

It has to come to an end sometime. You can't go on forever.

How much control do you have over whether your team wins or loses?

Not a lot. I have a little bit of say in keeping the momentum going. I try to get them to do what I want. I know the guys feel that and try to respond accordingly.

Do you feel your sport and your team get the amount of public attention they deserve?

Probably now. We get a bit more than we used to. I had come to expect there would be no television coverage so I was taken aback a little when our games started appearing on television. Unless we have that coverage you don't get to see just how great hockey can be.

Does rugby get too much attention in New Zealand?

It is our national game so we have to expect they will get the coverage they do. I'm not a huge rugby fan, more of a rugby league man. If we could change things and have league as our national game I would be happy.

What are the proudest achievements of your sporting life?

Going to an Olympic Games and a World Cup. Also, dining out on the medal we won at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Winning a tournament is always great. It was also great to beat Pakistan.

And what's your worst moment?

Still Osaka 2000 when we lost the Olympic qualifier and missed out on Sydney. I realise now just how bad that was.

Name the career ambition you want to realise before you retire?

I would love to have an Olympic, Commonwealth Games or World Cup gold medal.

If you weren't a hockey player what would you be doing?

I guess I would be some other sportsperson, maybe a Black Cap.

Who in the world do you most admire and why?

That's a tough one [he said after asking his wife]. I can't narrow it to one.

Who is the most inspirational coach you have dealt with?

I guess it would be Kevin Towns. He was my main coach. Probably he was the most inspirational and also the most emotional. There have been times when he has been close to tears. I am lucky to have played under some good coaches with plenty of different styles.

Who would you play in a movie?

Bruce Willis in Die Hard.

What's your favourite venue to play at?

That's a toss up between the National Stadium in Wellington and the Rotterdam Hockey Stadium in Holland. I would go for Rotterdam. It is a fantastic hockey ground.

What's your hobby away from hockey?

I like to go up north to my wife's parents' place at One Tree Point and go fishing and water-skiing.

Who was you childhood hero?

Superman when I was real young. As I got older it was more cricketers. Martin Crowe springs to mind.

Do you find it hard to accept that hockey is still seen as a poor cousin in New Zealand sport?

No, I don't accept that at all. It is no different than being in Holland where they don't know rugby at all.

Which game provided your career highlight?

Probably the 7-1 win over Pakistan at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. There were others too like playing India at the 2004 Athens Olympics in front of an estimated 20 million television viewers. On the local front, the win over Argentina in the 2008 Olympic qualifier was pretty special.

You and Ryan Archibald have played over 200 matches together for New Zealand and plenty more as teammates in Holland. Describe your relationship with the player from whom you took over the captaincy?

We are very good friends, almost like brothers. He is a great mate. For eight months of the year we live out of each other's pockets. He is a pretty special guy.

Who is the best player you have played with?

A toss up between Ryan Archibald and Umesh Parag. Umesh and I had a long time together for Wellington and built up a very good understanding.

And against?

Jamie Dwyer. A typical Australian.

Will the 2012 London Olympics be your international swansong?

I would like to say yes meaning that we had got there but I may carry on after that.

Do penalty corners play too big a part in deciding matches?

They probably do a bit. All teams aspire to have a good drag-flicker to make the most of those opportunities. These days umpires tend to make it harder to win a corner which has helped.

Rate your drag-flicking ability.

No good.

What is your most memorable goal?

The fourth goal I scored in the 7-1 win over Pakistan. There was only half a second to go when it went in.

CV
* DOB: April 25,1980
* Born: Wellington
* Position: Striker
* Caps: 233
* International debut: January 2000, Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament, Malaysia
* Honours: NZ Player of the Year 2003
* Medals won: Gold, 2009 Champions Trophy, Argentina. Silver, 2002 Commonwealth Games, Manchester; 2007 Champions Challenge, Belgium.