JULY 2007
SHARKING AROUND WITH MARK CUETO
HMG have been proud sponsors of Sale Sharks, England and British Lions rugby star Mark Cueto for over four years. In his early professional days, Mark turned the first sod on HMG's development in West Heath, Congleton, but on this occasion, he’s relieved that we’re just settling for an interview. As keen rugby fans and supporters of all things local, HMG have been thrilled to watch Mark's career go from strength to strength. We’re delighted to report that he’s currently fighting fit after two recent calf injuries and has just been selected for the England World Cup Training Squad.
Have you ever had a take away from the Sajan in Sale?
No, but I have been to the Jitrada a few times. I love Thai food and I used to go there quite a lot when I lived in Sale. Now I live in Altrincham I go to a restaurant called Dee Thai, which is a really nice swanky place.
I understand you like to play golf, what’s your handicap like?
Not bad, I’ve an average of about 18 which isn’t great but I have days when it is a lot better. I played last week and had a handicap of 14-15, but I might play next week and it’ll probably be about 25! I don’t get to play as much as I would like, but when I do there are plenty of guys on the team that play. Actually, there’s a golf ban at the moment due to a lot of pre-season training, so I don’t see my handicap improving in the near future.
You should get a Nintendo Wii, the golf on there is great.
We’ve got one here actually, it’s unbelievable! We have it in the common room because we spend a lot of time here before the season starts.
You like playing golf, and obviously rugby, are there any other sports that you like?
Any sport really. When I was younger I played a lot of football but I knew that I wasn’t good enough to play football professionally and that’s when I discovered rugby. I’m a keen United fan too. In fact a lot of the lads at Sale are and we try to get to as many games as we can. As Nike are our sponsors I tend to get invites to a lot of the big games which is always good!
Do you think you will always live in Altrincham, or do you think you will move on, perhaps even abroad?
I don’t know really, I’ve never really had that travelling bug. But then again I have been to quite a few places with rugby. That doesn’t mean I see much of the places I visit though, as most of the time we are busy training and pre-occupied with other things. I love home too much to consider moving: when I go on holiday I’m always itching to get back. I spend a lot of time in the South Manchester area in places like Hale, Altrincham and Sale, and I have a lot of friends just outside the Sale area so I catch up with them quite often. It’s also good spending time with other people than the rugby lads as we eat, sleep and play together sometimes, so other company is always appreciated.
Do you use male beauty products?
(laughs) Not really, I do have a few bits and pieces but the main pretty boy on the team is Chris Mayor. I do moisturise but that is mainly because when I’m training I might have three or four showers a day, so my skin dries out. I can't believe I just said that!
You've recently been injured, how are you now?
My calves are still a bit sore but I am starting to do more exercise now. When I first got treatment on my right calf I was told I would be out for two weeks but it was actually nine weeks. After I recovered from that, I injured my left calf and so I was out for then until the end of the season. Obviously, we’ve not been playing at the moment but, touch wood, everything seems to be going well with it.
Has your training been more or less intensive since your injury?
Definitely more intensive. It's harder because in a normal week you train until Wednesday and then have Thursday off, ready for the game on Friday. But when you are injured, you aren’t working towards anything so you have to train every day to keep the rest of your body fit.
What has been the proudest moment of your career?
I can’t really pick one because the more time you are involved the more you seem to accumulate. I remember the first game I played for Sale like it was yesterday, we played away at Bristol and I scored. That was a massive moment for me. Also, getting my first cap for England and then winning the league with Sale last year was amazing. It’s so difficult to pin it on one thing.
Do you see yourself as a celebrity?
(Grins) No, not at all, we're all down to earth lads here.
Not even if you were on the front cover of OK!
I haven't been yet! You always get compared to football players, but football is so much bigger than rugby in this country, it has a bigger fan base and more media coverage. But rugby does have a massive following, and attendance figures are going up but I don’t think celebrity is the right word to use. Obviously, I wouldn’t get invites to Old Trafford if I was just working in an office, so in some ways rugby players do have a celebrity status.
Do you have any nick names?
A lot of people call me "Frankie" because my old man is called Frank. He’s a bit of a character so when the lads met him, the name stuck with me.
Apart from your Dad, do you have any other idols?
Not so much idols, but there are people that I respect for the sport they play and how they perform. For instance Tiger Woods in Golf and Ronaldo in football. Rugby aside, sport is such a big part of me that there are so many people to respect.
What’s your favourite thing to do to relax when you get home?
Go out for a meal, or a drink. I prefer that to sitting at home and just chilling out. I much prefer socialising with friends and family than sitting in front of the TV.
Thanks to Mark for allowing us to interrupt his preparations for the forthcoming season.
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