RTÉ rugby analyst Brent Pope tells it how it was

2Cool4School:Where did you go to school? Ashburton, a small rural township in the South Island of New Zealand. My primary school was Netherby and my secondary school was Ashburton College

Were you cool or were you one of the nerdy kids?

I was well brought up as a kid and always told to respect different people, and even though I was good at sports and the class clown I would like to think that I was never a bully or cruel to any children that may have been deemed different or nerdy. In fact most of my school friends always came from such diverse backgrounds, even at university.

Give us an extract of a school report . . .

That's easy, my brother was always the annoying A student with immaculate report cards. My report cards either found their way into the gutter or never quite made it home, but it was always the same comments: "Brent has plenty of ability but is far too easily distracted and also distracts others, Brent must learn to concentrate more."

Who was your favourite teacher in primary school? Why?

Marjorie Wallace. She was probably only about 25 years of age at the time, but I had a massive schoolboy crush on her, I wonder where Marjorie is now?

How about secondary school? Anyone who you liked/inspired you?

Ms Stapleton, she was an amazing English teacher who unlike other teachers encouraged me to be creative. She would not concentrate so much on your punctuation or grammar - she said that could come later. She encouraged free thought, expression and imagination first.

Did you have a nickname?

Popey. My father's nickname was Popey and his father before that. To such an extent that my father actually thought his father's name was "Popey Pope" until he was a teenager.

What was the first music album you bought?

I actually remember, it was Slade.

What's on your iPod now?

I don't have an iPod. I am not too technical when it comes to such things, but musicwise I like a lot of different music - from crooners to heavy metal.

What posters did you have on your bedroom wall?

I had an amazing one of Kate Bush, taken from her first album. I spent years going to sleep while her tightly-strained T -shirt kept a watchful eye over me.

Who was your first crush?

I was about 12 and it was Leanne Parkin - the best-looking girl in school. She was stunning and had this amazing pageboy-style haircut. I asked her to the school dance, but broke my ankle in a rugby match and couldn't go, but Leanne remained loyal and we went steady for the whole school year.

Who would play you in a movie of your younger days?

I was quite wild in my younger days. I had shoulder-length hair and a cheeky round and freckled face. So I guess while I would like to say Brad Pitt, it would have to be someone like Jack Black.

What did you study in college?

I got a Bachelor of Commerce degree in New Zealand and then went on to qualify as a registered commercial property valuer. I also have post-graduate diplomas in management, marketing, public relations, sports massage, and gym instruction. I believe in always re-educating myself. Next target is counselling or life coaching.

Regrets? Have you had a few? In general I have had a great life. I probably regret not being able to spend more time with my parents in New Zealand as they get older, and also not having any children of my own, I am the author of five children's books, and even though I am in my mid-40s now and looking old I don't want to give up on the thought of having my own children some day, I'd love to be a doting grey-haired dad.