We chatted about everything from pre-season preparations to his history with Aussie Rules as a youngster and how at times, he had felt like 'God's hacky-sac' during the last Rugby World Cup in his native New Zealand. I must say that Nick came across as a thoroughly down to earth guy and it was refreshing to be met by a professional sportsman with such a positive attitude, given the harsh criticism that many suffer in the media. That's the end of the love in though...make your own judgment by reading the interview in full below! The Interview: DT: The 2012/13 Aviva Premiership season begins on 1st September with your team, Harlequins, kicking it all off against Wasps at Twickenham. As defending champions, what shape would you say the team is in as Quins look to defend the crown ? NE: After the success of the last couple of years where we won the Amlin cup and then the Premiership, the consistency of the squad has been a huge factor, and going into this year's campaign, again we have a similar squad with little changes. We know the amount of work we have to do is huge , as teams will now be coming for us and we will have to improve on last year. Quins celebrate domestic glory in 2011/12 DT: Who then do you think will be the main threats in the Aviva Premiership then and what about the Heineken Cup? Will it be the usual foes or is