© John Mitchell
With Father Christmas at the age of three
© John Mitchell
With Father Christmas at the age of three
© John Mitchell
Starting primary school at the age of five
© John Mitchell
My dad, Eric, in the seventies
© John Mitchell
I was 13 when this picture was taken. I was the oldest cousin on my father’s side of the family
© John Mitchell
Boarding-school mates in 7th form (matric). My best friend, Joseph Cronin, in the yellow T-shirt, was also in the school’s First XV. I am standing, second from the right
© Waikato Rugby Club
Waikato were crowned NPC champions for the first time in 1992 when we beat Otago 40-5. Here I am holding the cup
© Waikato Rugby Club
And in 1993 Waikato won the Ranfurly Shield, ending Auckland’s eight-year reign by beating them 17-6 at Eden Park. This is me with the shield
© Supersport
Playing for the All Blacks on debut as captain against an Emerging Scotland team in 1993
© Ross Setford/Getty Images/Gallo Images
At the 1999 Rugby World Cup, strategising during a training session with the England rugby team as assistant coach to Clive Woodward
© David Rogers/Getty Images/Gallo Images
Giving last-minute instructions to the team before that fateful quarter-final match against South Africa in Paris
© David Rogers/Getty Images/Gallo Images
A dejected Clive Woodward and I watch Jannie de Beer drop-kick England out of the 1999 Rugby World Cup. South Africa won 44-21
© Chris Schoeman
Discussing strategy with All Black scrumhalf Byron Kelleher during the 2003 Tri-Nations championship
© Chris McGrath/Getty Images/Gallo Images
A young Richie McCaw celebrates winning the Tri-Nations championship and the Bledisloe Cup for the All Blacks in August 2003 at Eden Park
© Ross Land/Getty Images/Gallo Images
My assistant coach, Robbie Deans, and I hold the Bledisloe Cup after beating Australia 21-17
© Dean Purcell/Getty Images/Gallo Images
Naming the All Black team to compete in the 2003 Rugby World Cup at the Ponsonby Rugby Club in Auckland
© William West/AFP/Getty Images/Gallo Images
With lock Chris Jack and captain Reuben Thorne at the captain’s run before the match against Tonga at the 2003 Rugby World Cup
© William West/AFP/Getty Images/Gallo Images
Prop Carl Hoeft (centre) running during training in Melbourne ahead of the pool match against Wales in Sydney
© Chris McGrath/Getty Images/Gallo Images
Carrying some tackle bags before the pool match against Wales at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney
© William West/AFP/Getty Images/Gallo Images
With my assistant coach Robbie Deans at a press conference before the semi-final match against Australia in November 2003. Little did we know what awaited us …
© Ross Land/Getty Images/Gallo Images
Doug Howlett, Joe Rokocoko, Justin Marshall, Tana Umaga and Ali Williams perform the haka before a match against Australia at the 2003 Rugby World Cup
© Phil Walter/Getty Images/Gallo Images
Facing the music at a media conference after New Zealand’s 10-22 loss to Australia in the semi-finals of the 2003 Rugby World Cup. I look as shell-shocked as I felt
© Anthony Phelps/Getty Images/Gallo Images
Leaving the New Zealand Rugby Union headquarters in Wellington after reapplying for the top coaching job in the country, December 2003
© Tony Ashby/AFP/Getty Images/Gallo Images
Moving on … At the first training session of the newly created Western Force rugby franchise in Perth, Western Australia, in October 2005
© Ross Land/Getty Images/Gallo Images
You’ve got to take criticism on the chin when you’re a rugby coach … The fans’ message to the coach at Yarrow Stadium in February 2006 when the Western Force came up against the Hurricanes
© Paul Kane/Getty Images/Gallo Images
The Western Force’s first ever home win in Super Rugby. Celebrating after the game with my captain, Nathan Sharpe, in March 2007
© Martin Hunter/Getty Images/Gallo Images
Another day, another rugby match … In Christchurch, New Zealand, before facing the Crusaders in round five of the Super 14, March 2009
© Paul Kane/Getty Images/Gallo Images
Addressing the Western Force players before a match against the Blues at the ME Bank Stadium in Perth
© Duif du Toit/Gallo Images
Taming the Lions … A training session with some of the players in Johannesburg
© Gallo Images/AFP
Let the games begin … Lions captain Josh Strauss in the 2011 Currie Cup final against the Sharks
© Lee Warren/Gallo Images
To the victor the spoils. The Lions players celebrating after their 42-16 win over the Sharks in the final
© Steve Haag/Gallo Images
Holding the Currie Cup aloft with Wayne Taylor, the conditioning coach, after the historic victory at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg, in October 2011
© Gallo Images/Getty Images
Taking a moment to reflect before the Lions face the Sharks at Kings Park, Durban, in March 2012
© John Mitchell
My kids, Ciara and Daryl, in 2013
© John Mitchell
My mom, Pauline, got married to Sonny Taylor two days after her 70th birthday in April 2014
© John Mitchell
In the president’s suite at Coca-Cola Park (now Ellis Park) with an intern, whose name escapes me, Wayne Taylor, Carlos Spencer and Asha Spencer, his daughter
© John Mitchell
I am a keen cyclist. Here I am taking part in the Berg & Bush mountain-bike race in the Drakensberg in December 2013
© John Mitchell
Conducting a coaching clinic for Kyros Sports in Harare, Zimbabwe, in May 2014
© John Mitchell
My new incarnation as a businessman, at Egli in Pietermaritzburg