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The Chosen Ones

In the TV series The Chosen Ones, New Zealand sporting greats revealed their stories to veteran interviewer Ian Smith.

Below you can watch highlights from the series.

  • You'll gain a new understanding of what it takes to be a champion, or a champion's coach.
  • You'll get the inside story, with fresh insight.
  • You'll see original footage of the best action.

And like us, you'll find it impossible not to be inspired.

Steve Williams. Steve Williams

"Tiger will probably tell you - while I'm not a shrink, I'm probably the only person he's come across who can read his mind."

> What's it really like to caddy for the world's greatest golfer? (Time: 2:05)

Tab Baldwin. Tab Baldwin

"What we had started to build was a mindset that we can be giant-killers - that we can reach heights that other teams haven't even aspired to."

> How does it feel when a team defeats a foe that for decades has been virtually invincible? (Time: 1:32)

Sir Brian Lochore. Sir Brian Lochore

"I just had a great period in rugby as a player and I just would not swop anything." 

> After 43 years involvement in high-level rugby, what does one of our top people see as having been the best aspect of it? (Time: 1:32)

Danyon Loader. Danyon Loader

"Always through the race I was saying, 'Don't you give in, don't count out the Kiwi'."

> What does a high-performance swimmer tell themselves as they strive towards Olympic gold? (Time: 2:06)

Irene Van Dyk. Irene Van Dyk

"There were just cameras everywhere and I thought, 'Wicked! There must be someone famous coming up behind me'."

> How do you make a new life in New Zealand, in the public eye? (Time: 2:03)

Tawera Nikau. Tawera Nikau

"It was probably the highlight of my career - winning the 1999 NRL grand final."

> What are the roots of one of our top rugby league players? (Time: 2:07) 

John Walker. John Walker

"I showed the power of the black singlet and the silver fern."

> What goes through an elite athlete's mind in the hours leading up to a big race? (Time: 2:09)

Chris Cairns. Chris Cairns

"The best all-rounder in the world - that's all I wanted to be."

> How does a top cricket player decide when it's time to retire? (Time: 2:08)


 Resources

You'll need Windows Media Player installed to watch these videos.


 Sponsor

The Chosen Ones was sponsored by SPARC.

Updated | 28 Aug 2007.

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