The Times Interview - Peter Leitch, Explain Yourself to Dean Wedlake

Thursday, 12 July 2007

• Howick and Pakuranga Times

Peter Charles Leitch, QSM. Times photo Bruce Nicholson.

PETER Charles Leitch, QSM - The Mad Butcher - is passion personified. There was no prouder man than the 63-year-old Bucklands Beach resident when appointed manager of the New Zealand rugby league side before their 2005 Tri-Nations campaign. Not only that, he became part of history when the Kiwis produced a famous, comprehensive 24-0 thrashing of the more fancied Australians in the final.
So proud in fact, Leitch wrote a book about it. Entitled ‘The Year the Kiwis Flew’, it gives a rare and fascinating view behind the scenes of one of this country’s finest sporting hours and has sold 8000 copies. A year later, the Kiwis were again outstanding in the wake of the Nathan Fien ‘Grannygate’ saga, eventually losing a 16-12 golden point thriller to the Kangaroos hailed as the greatest match in international league’s 99-year history.
Leitch was on hand to document the action again, producing ‘The Year That Was’, which was released in Mad Butcher stores last month.
Following emergency heart surgery to remove a blood clot in May, the eccentric Butcher was told to calm things down a notch and watch his health. Judging by the impassioned bellowing down his beloved cell phone for a radio programme during the Times’ visit, it’s not something he’s quite come to terms with yet. In between clutching a ring-laden hand to his ear to field a number of calls, Leitch spoke candidly about the undertaking of the new book, prospects for his beloved Warriors this season and other things that make the Mad Butcher tick.You’ve underwritten the entire cost of The Year That Was and aren’t expecting to breakeven on sales. Why?Now that it seems McClennan is destined to take up a coaching role in Leeds, what sort of loss will that be for New Zealand rugby league?What does it mean to you to count guys like Ruben and Stacey Jones as close personal friends?How did it feel to be in the Kiwis camp during the Tri-Nations victory in 2005, and to do it so convincingly over a strong Australian side?What’s your take on your beloved Warriors’ form in 2007?Any young Warriors or Kiwis players you’ve got big wraps on at the moment?What else excites the Mad Butcher in sport?With your recent health issues, are you having to be less of a Mad Butcher and more of a calm, collected butcher these days?• The Year That Was can be purchased for $10 at any Mad Butcher store or at www.madbutcher.co.nz.