We have a Choosday Chat with Jebel Ali Dragons Centre, Oliver Johnson

FACT FILE

Age: 29
Born: Winchester, England
Club: Dragons Rugby Club
Position: Centre
Height: 188cm
Weight: 99.5kg

“I used to be able to play ‘Coronation Street’ on the Saxophone”

Do you have any nicknames?

I get called OJ a lot.

Who or what inspired you to play rugby?

I went to a school that was very rugby orientated and on top of that, my dad also had a big influence on me, getting me out of bed every Sunday morning and driving me to training for a local club.

What do you get up to in your spare time?

I like to either be playing sport, going to the gym, getting a good coffee in me, or being flat out on the sofa watching a movie!

Do you have any phobias?

No, but watching ‘Flight’ whilst on a trip back to UK wasn’t a good idea.

Who would you like to be stuck in a lift with?

Probably a comedian…. Ricky Gervais, Peter Kay or Joe Rogan.

What would you like to achieve outside of rugby?

I always wanted to check off a triathlon and dare I say it… an iron man. However to date, most I have swam is two lengths of my buildings pool, the most I have ridden is one loop of Al Qudra cycle track and the most I have ran is a half marathon… let alone doing them back to back!

If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island, but all your human needs—such as food and water—were taken care of, what two items would you want to have with you?

Some kind of ball for entertainment and a guitar. I don’t know how to play, but a good place to learn!

Do you have any hidden talents?

I used to be able to play ‘Coronation Street’ on the Saxophone and can still play ‘Clocks’ by Coldplay on the piano.

What would be your Mastermind specialist subject?

Florence Nightingale.

What are the best things about the Dragons?

As with all clubs (i’ve had a few), its always great to meet and play alongside new team-mates, but with the Dragons I have been lucky enough to play alongside a school friend who I played rugby with 16 years ago.

What was the last brunch you went on?

Mr Miyagis last Friday evening.

What would you do if you found a penguin in the freezer?

If it was the chocolate bar, read the joke and eat it. If it was an actual penguin, I would take him back to the zoo. One of the KnightsEagles actually told me a story about during one of his school trips, one of the lads stole a penguin from the zoo and had it on the bus on the way back home (true story!).

Which Mr. Men character would you be?

Either Mr. Nosey (as I’ve got a good beak on me), or Mr. Greedy.

If you could go back in time to any moment in history, where/when would it be?

I could definitely pick a few great rugby matches I have been involved with! But I think I would go back to one of the boys Ski Trips. I got back from Japan early this year and had a great time catching up with a mate from NZ, loads of Chu-Ais, naked Onsens, what more could you ask for!

Oliver Johnson has recently returned from action in the Asia Rugby Sevens Series where the United Arab Emirates rugby squad competed in three consecutive Rugby Sevens tournaments in Korea, China and Sri Lanka.