NZ Rugby's Mark Robinson's appearance on Paddy Gower Has Issues took a surprisingly emotional turn, as the chief executive reflected on the life of All Blacks deity and former teammate Jonah Lomu.
In the latest episode of the series, which tackles the issues facing rugby in New Zealand, Robinson was asked a seemingly innocuous question about the similarities between Black Ferns wing Ruby Tui and the legendary Lomu and their respective impacts on the sport.
Before heading into administration, Robinson was a highly effective midfielder, whose play for the Crusaders earned him nine test caps for the All Blacks from 2000-2002.
During his first training camp with the All Blacks, Robinson was assigned Lomu as his roommate, an opportunity that planted the seeds for a budding friendship between the two.
Explaining the rationale for his decision, the 49-year-old was struck by a raw wave of emotion that brought his thoughts to an immediate halt, as the tears welled for his late mate, who died of a heart attack linked to his kidney disease in 2015.
"We miss him, eh," Robinson told Paddy Gower Has Issues.
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Lomu was arguably the most famous All Blacks player of all time, whose jaw-dropping blend of pace and power was single handedly responsible for an enormous boom in the sport's popularity across the world.
"Jonah changed the game," Robinson added.
"I'm a little biased. As much as I love Ruby, I played with Jonah. He was the guy I roomed with in my first All Blacks assembly camp when [Wayne Smith] was coaching for that matter.
"He provided one of the biggest avenues and platforms into the game going professional. He really transformed the sport, so it's hard to go past Jonah.
"He made it relevant in Asia and the United States and in parts of the world it could never dream of being relevant."
The interview with Robinson was part of an overarching investigation which explores whether New Zealanders are beginning to fall out of love with the national sport.
Co-host Andrew Gourdie described Robinson's moment of vulnerability as a prime example of what the sport means to Kiwis.
"I think that's a pretty awesome, personal authentic moment and I think, in so many ways, that sums up what rugby is all about here."
Stream Paddy Gower Has Issues in full on ThreeNow.
