Blues on the loose with Northlanders Justin Collins and Tim Dow

Justin, do you regret not taking the opportunity to play rugby in Australia, your country of birth?

Justin: I don't regret not going but in hindsight I probably could have given it a go. A different chance in a different place could have led anywhere.

How Australian are you?

Tim: I don't recall you partying on Australia Day.

Justin: I love Australia. I spent 10 years there. Dad was Australian.

Do you know your Australian lineage?

Justin: Yes. My great great grandfather was the man they based The Man From Snowy River on. He was a horse wrangler... from Snowy River.

So he knew poet Banjo Paterson?

Justin: Yeah, he (Paterson) called him Snow.

Tim, what's your lineage?

Justin: My dad is from Warkworth and Mum's family is from Hauhora.

Any Maori blood?

Tim: Couldn't find any. But I have captained the Northland Maori Colts. I had to lead the haka and it was a shocker. Te Karere came in and filmed in my face. I was just freestyling.

I hear you're religious, Tim. Do you go to church?

Tim: I go to church whenever I can.

And yet you got sin-binned for punching against Waikato last year.

Justin: Really? That's blatant aggression!

Tim: [Byron] Kelleher was in my face. I just moved him away. It wasn't the most intelligent thing I've ever done.

Justin: Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

Justin, when did you meet your wife Justine?

Justin: After a one-day cricket match in a bar on Dominion Road. And I rang her the next week and she couldn't remember meeting me.

How soon did you ring?

I left it seven days. You can't call too early.

Tim, as a religious man, you wouldn't believe in sex before marriage would you?

Tim: That's correct.

OK, moving right along. What do you guys do in your spare time?

Justin: I go for a drive. I've got a 1965 [Chevy] Impala and I put the carseats in [for Ruby, 4, and Ava, 2] and we go for a cruise.

Tim: I've only stayed in Auckland one weekend since I've been here.

What TV shows do you watch?

Tim: I don't watch much TV.

Justin: Coronation Street, Shortland Street, The Sopranos.

How do you feel about the lesbian wedding on Shortland Street?

Justin: I'm all in favour. I think the more lesbians we can see on TV the better.

Tim: He's from Tasmania.

Tim, do you watch Brian Tamaki on TV?

Tim: I don't watch anything religious really. I watch a little bit of ESPN Poker on television. There is a bit of poker going on in the Blues team.

What do you play for?

Justin: Cash. What else do you play for? It's $30 each, winner takes all.

Do you believe in taniwha?

Tim: Yes I do. Because I believe in the spiritual side of life. Whether I'd necessarily call them taniwha, I don't know. A lot of people from my church reckon if Northland changed from the Taniwha they'd do better.

Justin: I've seen the Taniwha kick some ass. It's also the best mascot there is.

Do you believe in taniwha, Justin?

Justin: No.

How did you lose the top part of your finger?

Justin: In a sawmill up north. I was 18 and it was my first job. I cut it off with a docking saw. First thing I thought about was how am I going to play footy this weekend. Two weeks later I was playing.

Tim, you're wearing a Ukraine football shirt. Are you a fan?

Tim: It's part of the Lotto gear I get. I'll back them in the World Cup. I started out playing football.

Justin: So did I.

Were you a Tasmanian rep?

Justin: No, but I have got the Tasmanian state 60m hurdles record for under-10s. Ten seconds flat.

Tim: Well I was a goalie and I probably hold the record for letting through the most goals in Kaitaia football history.

If you had to sing karaoke, what song would you choose?

Justin: Paradise City, Guns N' Roses. Daniel Braid and I sang it and nailed it.

What about the high notes?

Justin: That was what sold it for us.

Tim: I just stay right away from karaoke. Unless you're Maori or a Japanese man you shouldn't do it. But if I had to, maybe something by the Eagles - Hotel California.

That's a Satanic song.

Justin: Busted again!

- HERALD ON SUNDAY