With the Comedy Central Roast of Murray Mexted set to premiere on Thursday September 8 @ 8.30pm, we caught up with the man of the hour to talk World Cup picks, 'Man Skins' and those fantastic one-liners...
CC: Hi Murray! Tell us, why did you decide to take part in the Roast?
Murray: In New Zealand I think we often take ourselves too seriously, and being able to laugh at yourself is necessary in life without being too precious. Surely life is more vital and we should relax a little and enjoy it as we only have one life as far as I'm aware.
CC: Was the Roasting as bad as you'd expected?
Murray: It was funnier than I expected!
CC: Who do you think enjoyed Roasting you the most?
Murray: Leah Panapa I think. She did a good job and was very funny. In fact, they were all funny.
CC: Are the All Blacks up for the roasting they'll receive if they don't win the World Cup?
Murray: I still recall how the New Zealand public mourned the loss of the last quarter final against France. It took at least two years to recover as people felt cheated, but really that's the way it goes sometimes in rugby - the best team doesn't always win.
If we don't win this one, hopefully we will have learnt from the past and have grown up a bit and just accept it. I firmly believe we are the best side going into this tournament. But that doesn't mean we're going to win!
CC: They've just named their World Cup squad, what are your thoughts on the selections?
Murray: I think the selection is about right. Every Kiwi has their own opinion and for me the only change I would have made is the inclusion of Hosea Gear and perhaps Wyatt Crockett.
CC: Do you ever sit down with a box of popcorn and reminisce on old All Blacks games you were involved in?
Murray: No, not with popcorn!
CC: You were a bit of a poster boy for the All Blacks back when you played - how would it have gone down with the boys if you'd whipped the pants off and done an underwear campaign a la Dan Carter?
Murray: I did! It was for 'Man Skins' by Janzen Swimsuits. I remember my remuneration was a night on the booze with Bernie, Stu and the creative writer Charlie Henderson. We may have had dinner as well but battling to remember that.
CC: Rugby lads love a good prank, can you spill on any good ones that went down back in your playing days?
Murray: I seem to recall something Hika Reid did to me in Scotland which involved a girl...
CC: What was your worst Rugby injury?
Murray: A popped rib against Romania at Bucharest while running backwards to catch a ball Hewey wasnt keen on. I also had seven knee operations (three on one, four on the other) and numerous concussions, but I guess everyone's worked that out by now.
CC: What's your most embarrassing moment on the field, in the commentary box or otherwise?
Murray: I'm not sure I get embarrassed. I am sure though that on numerous occasions while commentating I've thought, 'ooh I shouldn't have said that, I'll be getting another reprimand from Sky!'
CC: And finally, do you have any fantastic new one-liners ready for the World Cup?
Murray: No, because my one liners aren't premeditated!
The 'Comedy Central Roast of Murray Mexted' premieres on Thursday September 8 @ 8.30pm!
And don't forget, Comedy Central has moved to Sky channel 015!
CC: Hi Murray! Tell us, why did you decide to take part in the Roast?
Murray: In New Zealand I think we often take ourselves too seriously, and being able to laugh at yourself is necessary in life without being too precious. Surely life is more vital and we should relax a little and enjoy it as we only have one life as far as I'm aware.
CC: Was the Roasting as bad as you'd expected?
Murray: It was funnier than I expected!
CC: Who do you think enjoyed Roasting you the most?
Murray: Leah Panapa I think. She did a good job and was very funny. In fact, they were all funny.
CC: Are the All Blacks up for the roasting they'll receive if they don't win the World Cup?
Murray: I still recall how the New Zealand public mourned the loss of the last quarter final against France. It took at least two years to recover as people felt cheated, but really that's the way it goes sometimes in rugby - the best team doesn't always win.
If we don't win this one, hopefully we will have learnt from the past and have grown up a bit and just accept it. I firmly believe we are the best side going into this tournament. But that doesn't mean we're going to win!
CC: They've just named their World Cup squad, what are your thoughts on the selections?
Murray: I think the selection is about right. Every Kiwi has their own opinion and for me the only change I would have made is the inclusion of Hosea Gear and perhaps Wyatt Crockett.
CC: Do you ever sit down with a box of popcorn and reminisce on old All Blacks games you were involved in?
Murray: No, not with popcorn!
CC: You were a bit of a poster boy for the All Blacks back when you played - how would it have gone down with the boys if you'd whipped the pants off and done an underwear campaign a la Dan Carter?
Murray: I did! It was for 'Man Skins' by Janzen Swimsuits. I remember my remuneration was a night on the booze with Bernie, Stu and the creative writer Charlie Henderson. We may have had dinner as well but battling to remember that.
CC: Rugby lads love a good prank, can you spill on any good ones that went down back in your playing days?
Murray: I seem to recall something Hika Reid did to me in Scotland which involved a girl...
CC: What was your worst Rugby injury?
Murray: A popped rib against Romania at Bucharest while running backwards to catch a ball Hewey wasnt keen on. I also had seven knee operations (three on one, four on the other) and numerous concussions, but I guess everyone's worked that out by now.
CC: What's your most embarrassing moment on the field, in the commentary box or otherwise?
Murray: I'm not sure I get embarrassed. I am sure though that on numerous occasions while commentating I've thought, 'ooh I shouldn't have said that, I'll be getting another reprimand from Sky!'
CC: And finally, do you have any fantastic new one-liners ready for the World Cup?
Murray: No, because my one liners aren't premeditated!
The 'Comedy Central Roast of Murray Mexted' premieres on Thursday September 8 @ 8.30pm!
And don't forget, Comedy Central has moved to Sky channel 015!
Copyright : Comedy Central New Zealand