I'm pretty aware that the pursuit of perfection is, inherently, a flawed concept.

I don't like kicking the ball a lot.

I play with a fear of letting my team down. That's what motivates me.

I'm not necessarily proud of the World Cups and the grand slams won or lost, the amount of points I scored, this record or that.

Failing at something is one thing, but Buddhism tells us that it is up to us how we interpret that failure [Buddhism] a philosophy and way of life that resonates with me I identify with it. I agree with so much of the sentiment behind it. I enjoy the liberating effect it's had on me to get back into the game Buddhism, with its concepts of karma and rebirth, have freed me from the twin fears of death and life without rugby, like life, will also come to an end.

To say I have played through four World Cups, two Lions tours, 91 international games and a ridiculous number of injuries and other setbacks gives me an incredibly special feeling of fulfilment. I know myself well enough to know that I will never truly be satisfied.

What I am proud of is I have searched for the best of me and I have been a team man without fail.