Jone Tawake displays his missing digit back during his playing days with the Brumbies.
Jone “Wacky” Tawake InterviewWe caught up with former Brumby and Vikings Loose Forward (#8), Jone Tawake.
After playing for the Brumbies from 2004 to 2007 and spending the following year with the Vikings, we were curious about what he’s been doing since his time in Canberra.
Luckily for us, Jone took an afternoon to reflect on his time in, and since, playing in the Capital.
Bryan Robinson (BR): Mr. Tawake! What are you doing here at Brumbies HQ?
John Tawake (JT): I’ve been working with the local U20 forwards, getting them prepared for the upcoming interstate tournament in February.
I’m back in Canberra for a while now, as I’m helping coach the Wests Lions Rugby, and am also a Youth Worker.
BR: What lead you to working with some of the local youth?
JT: I just wanted to give back to the kids. Rugby has treated me well, and I need to give back to it what the game has provided for me over the years.
Growing up in Fiji, times were tough. There were a lot of us living pay cheque-to-pay cheque, so I know the struggle that many kids have to deal with.
BR: And you find that sports, specifically rugby, are a good avenue to create an influence?
JT: Oh for sure. Sports bring people together from all different backgrounds and walks of life.
Doesn’t matter if you’re rich, poor, a different race, culture, or anything like that, sports eliminates those borders. It teaches kids good values, and keeps them doing productive things.
If I can help youth succeed and use rugby as a career path, then I know I’ve given back to the sport.
BR: What else motivates you in your work and throughout your career, both on and off the field?
JT: Definitely my family. I have a beautiful wife that I married in Sydney back in 2002, and she’s given me two children. She and my kids have stuck with me through the highs and lows of it all.
As things change, they’re always there to support me.
BR: What were some of those highs and lows?
JT: One of the best moments of my career came from my time here in Canberra, as we (the Brumbies) won the 2004 Premiership. That team was also like a family, and is a big reason why I came back to Canberra.
Guys like Stephen Larkham — that whole team from the mid 2000’s – share some of my best memories.Some of the lows of my career are usually dealing with injuries.
When you get hurt and you know the work it will take to get back into shape, it takes a lot out of you. But having my wife and kids there, always supportive, really helped me get through those times.
BR: So you said you met her in Sydney, was that during your time with Sydney University?
JT: Yup, Nadene was working in a marketing department there at the time, and it’s been a good 12 years since.
BR: So this was before you lost the finger, then?
JT: Ha-ha, yes! I played in Sydney, and then with the Warratahs from 2001-2003. I lost the finger a few years later. 2006, I think.
BR: Where is the finger now?
JT: I wanted to keep the thing! I wanted to put it on a necklace to wear, but the doctors said that was a bit of a biohazard. I didn’t know I wouldn’t get it back until after the surgery, so it was too late to keep it at that point.
BR: How old are your kids?
JT: My daughter was born in Japan when I was playing there, and she’s now 6. My son is 3 years old, and we had him when I was playing in France.
BR: Did you make it a point in your career to play in, and experience, different countries and cultures?
JT: Sort of. I was definitely open to travelling, and the situations in both Japan and France kind of presented themselves at the time, so it really worked out well. I’m glad I managed to get to both countries.
BR: Anything you miss about each Japan and France?
JT: In Japan, I was surprised to see the culture was very much centred around a person’s career, and being good at their jobs. Also, the food was awesome as it was somewhat similar to Fiji, a lot of sea foods and things like that.
Oh, and it was weird to see how advanced the technologies were.You’d walk into an electronics store and wonder what half of the things were used for!France was a lot different than Japan.
In France, people used work as a way to provide for the celebrations of food, family, and fun. Shops were never open on Sundays, things like fiestas were a big deal, and just spending quality time enjoying each other’s’ company.
A lot more laid back and relaxed attitude.Like I said earlier though, my best memories came here in Canberra, so I always had an eye on coming back.
BR: Changing topics a bit here, but what’s the deal with the nickname “Wacky”? Is it just because of the last name Tawake?
JT: Pretty much, just a shortened version of Tawake. Someone called me “Wacky Tawake” at Sydney Uni, and it stuck with me through the Warratahs, Brumbies, and ever since.
BR: Jone, it’s been a pleasure to catch up, and I wish you the best with your youth work and coaching here in Canberra.
JT: I’ll see you around!
