I’d like to thank Dean, Simon and Lou for their guidance over the years. It has been invaluable. Mum and Sarah, for always being there for me. Dad for constant encouragement and unquestioning belief in me and my game from the day I was born. Ben Hurst for being a great mate, and casting his eye across my book. To all my coaches past and present, for everything they’ve done for me as a player. I’d also like to thank Richie, Aaron, Deb and the Essentially guys for giving up their time to contribute to the book. Finally to Honor, Marco and Fox for putting up with a dad even more absent than usual over the last year. That’ll change in France.
Dan Carter, September 2015
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Thanks to Warren and Kevin at Upstart Press for their faith in me, support through this project and calm when months and months would pass without new chapters. Dean, Lou, Simon and all at Essentially for their help and willingness to discuss areas such as contracts and sponsorships which instincts suggested might be better kept private. All my editors, particularly those who’ve published my sportswriting: Simon Wilson, Scotty Stevenson and Eric Young. Alex Casey for running ‘The Spinoff’ while I was away or distracted. Honor for letting me take so much of Dan’s time while she was pregnant, then raising a newborn and a toddler. And Dan, for committing so thoroughly to this project, and for trusting me with such a personal story.
And my family. My mother for raising me to love books, and my father to love rugby. My wife Niki and my perfect kids Jett, Robyn and Vivienne, for dealing with a harried and often absent father and husband through this period. I truly couldn’t have done it without you.
Duncan Greive, September 2015