Squamish native Jamie Cudmore – 6’5” but nicknamed ‘Cuddles’ – is a veteran of a decade in French rugby and is among Canada’s most famous rugby players. But his brother Daniel is at least as famous, having portrayed Colossus in the X–Men movies. It’s an obvious starting place for our Q & A, ahead of Saturday’s Canada vs Japan match at Swangard Stadium (6pm, TSN).
Q: Who wins – Cuddles or Colossus?
A: Oh, I don’t know…I think Cuddles would kill him with kindness!
Of course it’s unexpected, you never know what going to happen in the future, but our family as a whole, from my brother Luke to Dan, we’ve all worked very hard at our respective jobs. Luke is in construction, Dan with his movie career, me with rugby, that’s something that’s always shone though, a strong work ethic, thanks to our parents. Every thing we’ve done, we’ve tried to give it our all.
Q: If you told 18-year-old Jamie about 36-year-old Jamie living in France, with a beautiful home and family, a long rugby career, what would he think?
A: First of all, he would’ve paid more attention in French class! Those first few months in France, those were a little tough!
I definitely wouldn’t have believed it, that was about the time I was starting to get serious about rugby and I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d be able to play professionally and have a family and make a living and have a great career – so far and I hope in the future – in France and internationally with Canada. I’m very lucky.
Q: How much longer are you going to play?
A: As long as I can. I’m at an age where you are walking a fine line, you don’t even want to be there too long. You’ve got to keep your eyes on the boys around you, make sure you’re motivated and listen to your body. Hopefully the boys here aren’t looking at this old guy, ‘why doesn’t he just hang up his boots up?” If that’s the case, if I hear anyone start grumbling like that, I’ll have to hang ‘em up, but I can still bring positive energy and a bit of experience to the group, I’ll continue to help in any way I can.
Q: You look at the Top 14 where you play, there are a lot of international players, some of whom who have hung up their international boots but are still play club because they’re still earning a wage – that’s hard to argue with. Why are you still playing for Canada?
A: It’s always been a fine line for me, a fine line finding that balance, because although I’ve been playing with Canada for a long time, I haven’t been able to be free for selection for a number of reasons through a lot of years. I’ve got less than 30 caps (he’ll hit 29 on Saturday) but I’ve been playing since 2002. Most guys that age have got like 100 caps. I’ve worked that fine line as best as I could and any chance I get to play with Canada, it’s the highest honour. Representing your country…nothing compares. Juggling the work and country, I try to do it the best I can, now this year, with the world cup coming up, this is extremely important. I’ve got to make myself available so I can win a place in the squad.
Q: Last question, you guys will be together for almost a month this year – over the years, who has been your best roommate and worst roommate?
A: Best roommate…oh I’d have to say, Nate Hirayama. We were roommates before the world cup (in 2011) down in New Zealand and Australia. He’s a good chat, played a bit of Monopoly on the old iPad there and very clean, very clean, which is key.
And going into worst roommate, well I’d have to say Jebb Sinclair, because he’s a bit of a menace. I don’t think he’s ever cleaned up anything in his life, between the dirty socks and whatnot left, right and centre, it’s a bit of a debacle in the room.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
