By Country / Australia

What’s the best thing about touring?

"I love getting away. Spending six weeks away in fantastic countries like Italy, France, Hong Kong and England with 34 of your best mates is pretty special and you get to form very tight bonds with those guys."

What were you favourite memories?

"I’d never been to London and meeting the Queen was surreal. We stood in semi-circles and I just stood there giggling. I couldn’t believe it! She worked the room well - you could tell she’d done it a few times."

And you went to Hong Kong?

"There’s only one word to describe Hong Kong, bizarre. The night markets were amazing, hackling the locals and getting them down to the lowest dollar. We bought BB Guns and got in a few fights back at the hotel but they got banned pretty quickly."

Do you have any other stories of mischief?

"Myself and Berrick [Barnes] walked the streets of Hong Kong one night and each pub we passed, we were invited in by some Aussies and we’d talk about rugby and they’d by us a beer. That's before we got caught up in the next pub by another group and we were bought another beer. We didn’t buy one all night. It was sweet."

Are you used to being away from home now?

"I’ve been a professional rugby player for six years now and for the first two-three years it was difficult but now it’s part of territory. You miss what’s important, your friends and family and of course the beach."

Would you rather surf alone or party with lots of mates?

"I’d love to go out and surf on my own but i’m equally content partying. When you’re with 30 guys for most of the year I often find being by myself is a luxury.

You must really appreciate your boys back home?

"My home-based friends are really important because they bring me back down to earth. Being with a group of guys with such high profiles, it’s good coming back down to civilization to make sure you don’t start believing in the hype and starting to think you’re one of those important individuals."

Perched inside the lobby of a swanky West End hotel, there's a sense that fifty pound notes are dripping off every resident. From the skinny jeaned, pointed shoe-wearing up 'n' coming rock band about to sign their first multi-millon pound record deal to the so-called sultan-types draped in attire normally reserved for charity balls and entertaining royalty.

I almost choke on my £6.00 amaretti biscuit after one customer's horrified expression upon first glance of Wallaby prop Al Baxter marching through in skin-tight shorts.

The Australians are late. An hour and fifteen minutes to be precise but hey mañana, mañana. Isn't that the Australian attitude?

Lateness could also describe Adam Ashley-Cooper's entry into rugby union. Since graduating from Berkleyvale High School at 17, Coopy's managed to fit in a World Cup, 28 Super 14 caps, two senior tours and an ever-growing sack of Wallaby caps. Not bad considering he's still only 24.

Trust us when we say, this hot shot is destined for greatness!