Andrew Simpson of Rugbypassion.com in conjunction with Odyssey House McGrath Foundation presents this interview with Prime Minister John Howard that took place on January 30, 2006.

Andrew Simpson:  Could you tell us about your exposure to rugby?

Prime Minister John Howard: I played rugby at school and I actually obtained a junior referee’s ticket in it. for the New South Wales Rugby Union all those years ago. I did that for a few years after I left school and I started playing soccer and I’ve just followed rugby at an international level ever since. I’m a very keen follower of the Wallabies and I’ve had a lot to do with them over the years. In the time that I’ve been Prime Minister I’ve been a very regular attendant of Wallaby internationals. I think I’ve probably been the keenest rugby union supporting Prime Minister Australia’s had for a combination of reasons. Other Prime Ministers didn’t seem to follow rugby union.  Perhaps a lot of them followed AFL in Victoria or thought somehow or other rugby union was sort of was only played by one section of the Australian community, but I follow them very closely.

Andrew Simpson: Would you consider yourself a rugby tragic?

Prime Minister John Howard: Oh well it’s not an expression I’d use, that’s your expression.  Well I’m a rugby fan I like the game, I think tragic is overdoing it.

Andrew Simpson: And what effect has had on your life?

Prime Minister John Howard: Well I don’t know that I would express it in those terms. I think rugby union has in the last ten years enjoyed a remarkable growth in Australia.  The fact that it’s an international sport and the fact that we won the World Cup, the fact that you can barrack for Australia is a huge advantage.

Andrew Simpson: And the country you came from if you’re a new Australian as well? As lots of English people have.

Prime Minister John Howard: Oh well yes they barrack for the wrong side but apart from that it’s all right.

Andrew Simpson: And Odyssey House?  

Prime Minister John Howard: Well Odyssey House is a wonderful organisation and it has a huge reputation for helping people with drug problems and I’m very happy to help it.  

Andrew Simpson: What is your favourite Wallaby moment?

Prime Minister John Howard: Oh there’s a lot of those.  I think Steven Larkham’s drop goal in the semi-final in 99 which got us into the World Cup.  That was in the final and that was very good.  I think the whole semi-final against New Zealand in 2003 was a remarkable game.  I think the Wallabies in that match really excelled themselves and that was a huge victory.  It meant that although losing the final to England was a disappointment we perhaps played beyond peoples’ expectations in that semi-final.