A pre-game player profile (thats if we don't get cancelled - current status: pissing down)

Photo: Kapiti College 5th 15, 1971, back row, centre - guess who didn't kick the conversions!

Rauru Walker
Position
Striker

Stallion Hall of Fame:
Stallions Founder and Figurehead
Golden Boot 2006

How many seasons as a Stallion?
2002 – 2006, to make my triumphant return in 2009. The only original Stallion remaining (if I still count as remaining having not played season or this one). Lachlan doesn’t count. You have to get through at least one full season without injury to be counted.

Are you a dual Stallion? If so what game are you best at?
Yes I am. Soon to be a tri-Stallion with the London ‘Touch’ Stallions about to start off their debut season. My record would say I’m better at the ‘beautiful game’ rather than the ‘gentleman’s game’.
*Cricketing Stallion Greg says: 'The Original Pony, Rauru must be well suited to football, what with his tendency to look a million bucks without ever producing the goods and his trademark skill of swinging the ball well beyond diving reach of the keeper...'

Greatest Stallion Moment:
Probably beating Brooklyn for the first time in 5 seasons on the last game of the year. It helped that I scored from the spot and also denied them winning the league. We won 1-0, there were three penalties in the game, we scored one and they missed the other two.

Worst Stallion Moment?
Scoring in the opening game of season 2005 only to be taken out once the ball was already in the net. Missed half a season with tendon damage to the ankle.

Describe your last goal for the Stallions.
See above vs Brooklyn. It was blowing a gale down at Owhiro Bay on the ground that has a dirt patch where an artificial cricket pitch goes. We were awarded a penalty, Jules got pushed away from pretty much everyone as he tried to step up to take it. I wasn’t confident but stepped up and drilled it low and to the right. Great finish.

Complete the sentence - As a player I am susceptible to ...
throwing the odd albatross

Most underrated Stallion?
Willy. He was a cross between a work horse and a ferret. He always managed to keep going with the ball amongst the tackles coming in, and won possession when he just shouldn’t have. I wouldn’t have scored half the goals I did without him.

Finish this sentence. The Stallions need more?
Basic skill. Passion drives the team which is great. If the team had better passing (and especially crossing) skills though then we’d be unstoppable!

Which international player are you most like?
Peter Crouch. Tall, no skill, can’t shoot for shit, but still manages to get goals somehow.

Where will the Stallions finish in 2008?
They should finish top half, but consistency is always a problem. I think top 3 would be a great effort, but maybe lack the fire power up front? Only 1 goal conceded from 2 games against ok teams so far though – has the defence finally sorted itself out?