Before Jamie Lyon and Steve Matai, there was Terry Hill and Craig Innes. They were the original Australian and New Zealand center pairing to guide Manly to premiership glory, whist also terrorizing the opposition along the way. Many fans remember the charismatic Hill, however the forgotten man in that dominant combination was his Kiwi running mate– Craig Innes. Craig’s time with the Sea Eagles was relatively short, lasting only two seasons, (96 & 97) however, his partnership with one of the most enigmatic centers of his time—Terry Hill, is eerily similar to the one that Lyon currently shares with Matai.

 Craig was considered a Trailblazer, a player who opened the door for a growing line of top class Rugby Union players looking to make a wage in a professional code such as Rugby League. And although Sonny Bill Williams has been receiving applauds for being the most recent duel International to dominate both codes, its important to remember that he wasn’t the first.

Firstly, the nickname ‘Postie’, what’s the story behind that?

 A long boring story that relates to my last name, the suburb in Auckland where I went to school (Glenn Innes) and the tendency for the post office there to be robbed on a frequent basis. I prefer to run with the incorrect version that I always delivered on the footy field… neither true!

 You made your international debut for the All Blacks at age 20, and went on to play 17 tests for New Zealand, but then switched to League in 92 to join up with Leeds—Why the change?

At the time Union was an amateur sport, Rugby League was becoming increasingly popular in NZ and mates such as Matt Ridge had recently made the switch. I really wanted to become a professional sportsman and league appealed as a game that would suit how I liked to play. All of that and a philosophy that life is short and why die wondering!

 After two reaching two successive English Cup finals, you made the switch to the ARL and the Manly Sea Eagles. Were any other teams trying to recruit you at the time?

Yes there were, but to be honest I can’t remember whom apart from the Western Reds where I was playing an English off-season, however they were a Super League outfit. To be honest, the whole ARL-Super League thing happened so quickly and after signing to the ARL there were a number of clubs showing interest. Manly was my team growing up at the end of the day, the only club I wanted to play for.

 What was it like being coached by the now ‘Immortal’ and Manly great, Bob Fulton?

Boz was great.  I was lucky enough to play under some great coaches in both codes but I can honestly say that there wasn’t one I wanted to play for as much as him.

We were never great mates or anything like that, but we got on well and I respected the respect he had for his players. He was super competitive and expected nothing but excellence, but he also gave us license to do our thing. He knew the game better than anyone and knowing he had arguably been the best ever to play in my position, was extra motivation to do well by him. 

 That Manly side pride itself on its sliding defense and toughness, was there any truth to the stories that players were fined for missing tackles?

I don’t remember a fine system being put in place, but I do remember the hours we spent on perfecting the slide defense. By the end (especially in 96’) the confidence we had that if we were all playing our part, teams just couldn’t break us. There is nothing complicated about a slide defense but with total buy in, patience and discipline it’s a good as any.

What was totally unacceptable under any circumstance was an individual flying out of the line. Ironically, I think if you look at 70% of tries scored today it is because somewhere in the play, exactly that has happened

 

Many people don’t remember that you were considered one of the best defensive centers in the game, however, what do you think was your strongest aspect –attack or defense?

Defense I guess. It was a part of the game I really enjoyed both in execution and organization. I would get dirty on myself and my left hand side defense if we were ever broken. I see defense as the component in either code that separates title winners from the also-rans more often than not.

 You also played with two Manly greats –Geoff Toovey and Des Hasler, both of whom have made a terrific transition into coaching—did you think that either had ability to do so, whilst you were their teammate?

I always saw Tooves as a coach and can remember feeling sorry for those who would one day cop the wrath of that angry little bastard!! haha

Des, not so much as he is such a good bloke, so mild natured, which isn’t always a quality top coaches can afford. Well, watching some of Dessy’s performances in the coaching box over the years certainly put pay to that notion!!!

Seriously though it’s been great watching the two of them have the success they have had as coaches. Their input as players in my era to team culture, game plans etc. were huge, so coaching was a natural progression for the both of them.

 You played with some of the most renowned sledgers in the game, whom do you rate as the best sledger from that great Manly side?

Haha..  There is no doubt that we had the best and actually sledging to a degree was foreign to me until I hit Australia. A lot of it was comical and some of my best yarns are stories of the unrelenting barrages directed at opposition by likes of Ridge, Hill and Hopoate. I can’t pick out of those three due to varying styles, levels of comical genius and out right cruelness at different times by the three of them.   

 What are some of your fondest memories from playing Rugby League?

I guess the finals, both Challenge Cup in the UK and then two Premiership finals in Australia. Playing at Wembley Stadium is a great experience and the excitement of my English team mates after we had won the semi-final to be even going to the final was amazing. They were realizing a dream and that was very cool.

My memories of our 96 premiership final victory are obviously a lot fonder than 97. I haven’t watched that game against Newcastle much but when I do, I still can’t believe we lost it in the end. Winning the premiership in 96 is right up there with my All Black debut.

 

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 You returned to Rugby after only two successful seasons with Manly, why the change and do you still keep in touch with any of your former teammates?

Fallout from the ARL –Super league war was starting to hit home at the clubs in the way of financial issues and an option presented itself to go home and play Super Rugby. It wasn’t so much that I wanted to play union but after seven years away from home it was an opportunity to get back and it helped Manly out somewhat financially.

I stay in touch with a number of the guys on Facebook etc. and receive abusive txt messages from Hopoate on a reasonably consistent basis!

Catch up with Ridgey when I can and he remains a good mate.

 

 Do you still follow the Sea Eagles, if so, who is your favourite player to watch from the current side?

Yes Manly is still my team and have had a lot of fun winding my Warrior fan mates up over the years.

I’m a big fan of Jamie Lyon; he is a fantastic footballer and has done a great job of leading the team

 

  Considering how successful your time in League was, do you have any regrets over switching back to Rugby?

No you can’t have regrets although after two years of hardly needing an ice bag at Manly I ran into a string of injuries starting with a knee that needed operating on soon after my return and it took a long time for me to settle back into the game.  I enjoyed my time back though.  

 

  You’re now a Director at a Sports agency – Esportif – does it make you proud that your switch has helped pave the way for some of the athletes you represent?

Yes, at the end of the day all we want for our guys to have the same fun and success that I was lucky enough to enjoy.

People think the life of a footballer is easy but It’s not and actually a lot tougher these days than when I was running around. Our job is to keep our guys grounded and hopefully finishing a successful career with more then just a few happy memories to show for it.  

 

  Finally, which is it League, or Union?

Sorry to seem like I’m sitting on the fence but both.