An email conversation with Mark van Gisbergen

The Wasps full-back and Kiwi, who has made the England rugby union squad for the autumn Tests, tells Nick Harris how he gets his kicks and where his loyalties lie

What excites you most about being part of the England set-up, and what are your goals as an England international? I'm excited and honoured just to be selected for the squad. It's the next step up for me and it'll be a big challenge, having that chance to play at the highest level with the best players. International rugby is on another level in terms of intensity and it will be a new experience for me. I'll be taking things game by game, just as I do at Wasps. If I get an opportunity, I'll look to make the most of it. It would be fantastic to get some pitch time during the autumn internationals and if I do I'll be aiming to put in a good performance and take it from there. A personal goal would be to be involved with England in the 2007 World Cup.

You were born in New Zealand and have been playing in England with Wasps for three years. When you first came over, at the invitation of your fellow Kiwi Warren Gatland, did you envisage playing for England one day? Or was it just a case of wanting to add something to your game in another country, and then take it from there? I didn't know what to expect when I came over. I really just wanted to play full-time rugby and see how much I could improve and progress.

Have you had much feedback from New Zealand about being called up for England? If so, what has been the reaction? I've had total support from all my family and friends back home and it's been great.

Where did you watch the 2003 World Cup final? And as a New Zealander, didn't it irk you just a little bit that England won? I watched it in a bar in Fulham with Phil Greening, Mark Denney and Tim Payne. And I was happy to see the boys I know do well.

As soon as 19 November you could be facing the All Blacks. How would that feel? Until I get the call to play that game I'm not really going to worry about it. I'm taking one thing at a time. I'm in the squad at the moment and I'll get to that when the time's right.

But you don't see it as a problem at all? I don't see it being a problem. I'm just pretty excited to be playing on the international stage and I don't really mind who it's against. It's a great challenge for me.

The All Blacks have the Haka. The English have a stiff upper lip. Which are you best at? No comment.

Wasps have had a terrific three seasons since you arrived, winning three Premiership titles on the bounce and the Heineken Cup. What's been the single most enjoyable of those for you? I've loved, and felt privileged to have been involved in, all those finals, but the one that maybe stands out would be winning the Heineken Cup.

Your recently kicked your 28th consecutive successful shot at goal for Wasps to equal Jonny Wilkinson's Premiership record but the 29th, in the match against Worcester a week ago, proved elusive. It wasn't the easiest, 45 yards out, wide on the right. Talk us through it. Yeah, that was a bit of a shame but it was just one of those things. I wasn't really thinking about too much, to be honest.

Wilkinson is famous for practising for hours and days on end at his kicking. Is your routine the same, or do you have a life? I tend not to practise every day, because that suits me. It's just different things suit different people.

What is about kicking that you like? I've always enjoyed kicking for goal and this year has been different from other years, maybe because I'm fresh. I've got over a couple of back injuries and a foot injury and I'm just feeling really good at the moment. Things seem to be going pretty well.

Is kicking for England something that would appeal to you? I'm not sure what they have in mind. I'm happy to kick. I enjoy it. It'd be great to try it on the international stage as well. I don't mind having that pressure, I enjoy it if anything, but whether they choose that role for me with England, we will have to wait and see.

Wasps train in Acton. What's the best thing about Acton? It's close to where I live!

You come from Waikato, the scene of a famous Lions match in 1993. Or rather, an infamous one if you were a Lions fan, because the tourists were absolutely obliterated. You would have been aged about 16 at the time. Were you there? Did you see it? What are your memories? I can't really remember it. I don't really watch a lot of rugby outside of playing the game.

Van Gisbergen doesn't sound like a Maori name. What's your family background? My father is Dutch and he came to New Zealand when he was eight. My mum is a Kiwi.

Lawrence Dallaglio has said you've been instrumental in Wasps' success. But what about him? Is he the inspiring leader we've been led to believe? For sure, he's an immense rugby player and a born leader, who leads by example time after time.

Who were your rugby heroes, growing up? And which one person from another sport have you ever idolised? Two guys I enjoyed watching were [the All Black threequarters] John Kirwan and Frank Bunce. They were always willing to have a go. I have a big interest in surfing and think Kelly Slater really revolutionised the sport.

There's been a lot of talk about this being the start of a new England era, a process of leaving the past behind and building for the future. What are your thoughts? I'd hope to be part of it. They're looking forward to the World Cup in 2007 and it's great to part of it and, hopefully, it's a change for the good, moving forward.

Attachment: The Van Gisbergen lowdown

* Born: 30 June 1977

Weight: 14st

Height: 5ft 10in

* Previous clubs: Waikato, Hamilton Marist

* Joined Wasps in 2002 and has won three Premierships (2002-03, 03-04, 04-05) and the Heineken Cup in 2004.

* Scored over 300 points for Wasps last season and just under 300 the season before.

* Is the top scorer in this season's Premiership with 85 points. Has a 96 per cent success rate when kicking at goal.

* Equalled Jonny Wilkinson's record of 28 successful kicks in a row against Worcester last weekend before missing his 29th in the same match.