Rugby / Bristol Bears
Interview with Max Lahiff at Ashton Gate goes viral
More than one million people have now seen a video of a Bristol Bears player being interviewed at Ashton Gate before their most recent match.
The interview with Max Lahiff, which has been described as “utterly mad”, has spread across the world thanks to the viral power of social media.
Lahiff is interviewed by Bristol Bears head of media Tom Tainton immediately after the prop has finished his own unique way to stretch his neck with the help of a post.
is needed now More than ever
Lahiff has become a firm fan favourite in recent months due to conducting interviews in Shakespearian-esque prose; and now the rest of the world can experience his eloquence.
“Friday night’s always been a personal favourite of mine,” the 31-year-old prop said. “You’ve got the long weekend.”
“Usually, when the fans are here, everyone’s just wanting that release, that stimulation just to watch a macabre sport of gladiatorial confrontation and you feed off that as athletes.
“You love it, love it. But unfortunately that’s not today but I’m looking forward to getting right in amongst it and intimate in the best kind of way with the men from Wasps, canny foxes.”
He added: “I was running around just talking to my ancestors. I was missing lungs. Oh man I was battling.com. You know, one of those real personal grind-outs.
“You’re just like, ‘Oh God, next phase, make it, you can do it.’ Just all that in a monologue. But it was really fun. I was so glad to get it done. Some relief there that I’ve still semi-got it.”
Max Lahiff in action during Bristol Bears’ 37-20 victory against Wasps on Friday night – photo: JMP
After struggling to control his own laughter, Bears media man Tainton said: “That was a really enjoyable and albeit utterly mad couple of minutes. Thank you.”
The original video was posted shortly before kick-off on Friday evening but has only started picking up viral momentum in the last 24 hours.
Sport Bible tweeted: “This might be the greatest interview of all time, featuring Bristol Bears prop @LahiffMax. What have we just watched”
It’s not the first time, however, that Lahiff has made an impact in front of the camera. Here he is giving BT Sport a tour of the Bears’ high performance centre in Failand:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=960809754388021
Lahiff, who signed for Bristol from local rivals Bath in 2019, was also let loose with a camera – not once but twice – when the Bears travelled to Connacht as part of their winning European Challenge Cup campaign:
Main photo: Bristol Bears / Twitter
Read more: Breakfast With Bristol24/7: Pat Lam
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