Them Rugga Boys & Their Ink : 2013 Edition

Now that Lauriel and I have SkyTV, it means we are able to watch ALLLLLL the Super Rugby & ALLLLLLL the All Blacks games we want to.  And we do.  With this increase in rugby viewing, we have been paying attention to players outside the Crusaders, and admittedly have been paying a lot of attention to Australian and South African teams & their players (to the point where I'm ashamed to admit that I now have favourite Australian & South African teams!).

A common phrase heard while we watch the rugby is "ooooo!  tattoos!!!" - because while we love the game of rugby in itself, we also love the men who play - and there is something about a tattooed rugby player, that is rather hard to resist.

I now bring to you, the 2013 edition of 'them rugga boys and their ink' (the 2012 post is my most popular post to date, so I figured it was needed!).

Reds player, Digby Ioane

I personally have a weakness for
rib cage tattoos....

Also rather fond of back tattoos!

It's no secret I love a good sleeve tattoo...

What's not to love?

Then of course there is my favourite South African player...
Mr Francois Hougaard

It's the sleeve.. it gets me everytime...

Okay... the sleeve isn't the ONLY thing...
(the rib tattoo helps too...)

Admittedly the man is a lot
hotter without the mullet!

The most recent tattoo picture I could find
& he seems to have the hair under control...

Will Genia... right down his spine... Nom.

As much as I dislike Quade Cooper
(pre-requisite for any Kiwi rugby fan)
... the tattoo is hot

A bit closer to home, we have Elliot Dixon
... another example of a nice sleeve tat!

and here we can see the top of Elliot Dixon's tat

Not a rugby player... but a ref... Steve Walsh also sports some ink

Close up of Steve Walsh's tattoo... very true indeed

Unrestrained Manliness 2.0 - Bigger & Bearder

A little over a year ago, I blogged about Unrestrained Manliness.  The focus of 'Unrestrained Manliness 1.0', was Cory Jane - who I found looked rather epic with a beard.

2013 is also the year of unrestrained manliness - but this year Cory Jane is out & there is a new coverboy for 'UM'....

RYAN CROTTY!

Just take a look.... the man ROCKS the beard.  He is damn sexy without it, but sexy x 1,000,000 with it.  What is even better is that he KNOWS how to rock the beard - Crotty, unlike so many players - seems to understand that there is a fine line between HAWT and Tom-Hanks-in-Castaway-bushiness.  The 'beard of awesome' as we refer to it, has been in existence for a few weeks now  - and rather than just growing and growing and growing it, Crotty obviously understands the importance of beard maintenance... each week it goes from strength to strength... from hotness to hotness.

Ryan Crotty & the beard of awesome, we salute you!

The beard of awesome.  It really is spectacular.

The beard of awesome gives Crotty amazing powers... he can fly!

It's just... sexy.

Crusader to Lion

One of his many tries for the Crusaders

What a difference eight months can make. In September/October 2012, Sean Maitland was delisted by the Crusaders – unwanted for the 2013 Super Rugby campaign. It was a move that shocked Kiwi rugby fans – Maitland had been a consistent player for the Crusaders, and his delisting made no sense. End of October 2012, Sean Maitland announced that he had signed a deal with the Glasgow Warriors... it seemed that like a lot of players unable to break into the All Blacks, Maitland was 'escaping' to play out his career in Europe. But rather than 'playing out' his career – his career was just starting.

... not just a talented rugby player!

In November, Maitland moved to Glasgow & began playing for his new Scottish team. In mid January he was named in the Scotland team, for the 2013 Six Nations competition – eligible through his paternal Grandparents. In his first game for Scotland, Maitland scored a try – and went on to play in each of Scotlands matches in the Six Nations tournament. Then in early May, Maitland received the biggest honour of his career when he was named in the Lions squad, to tour Australia in June.

Maitland had gone from being delisted by his Super XV franchise, to being selected as a member of what is one of the most – if not THE most prestigious rugby team, in the world. Not exactly a bad turn of events!

So, who IS Sean Maitland?

Sean Maitland was born in Tokoroa on September 14^th 1988. While at Hamilton Boys High School, was a part of the 1^st XV and in 2005 and 2006, was a part of the New Zealand Schools [rugby] team. In 2007, Maitland was part of the winning New Zealand team at the Under 19 World Cup (alongside now-ex Crusaders teammates – Zac Guidlford, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Sam Whitelock and Robbie Fruean). Maitland then competed for the NZ Under 20's side, who went on to win the 2008 IRB Junior World Cup, with Maitland scoring 4 tries in the tournament. In amongst the U19 and U20 tournaments, in 2006, Maitland began playing for Canterbury in the (as it was then called) NPC

Now a proud Scotland team member

competition and in 2008 made his debut for the Crusaders, where he stayed until he was delisted in 2012. While Maitland never made the All Blacks, in 2010 he was selected in the Maori All Blacks squad.

Depending on what happens with the selections for the Australian squad to play against the Wallabies, we could see Sean Maitland playing against his cousin – none other than Reds player, Quade Cooper. After he was named in the Lions squad, Cooper congratulated Maitland on Twitter – and it will certainly be an interesting occasion if the two cousins DO get to face off! Given New Zealand rugby fans lack-of-love for Quade Cooper, I am sure that Maitland (and the Lions) would have all of New Zealand behind them!

It's STICKER SLAP time!

As much as I love the serious, nitty gritty when it comes to an actual game, it's also awesome to see the more lighthearted, fun side of the professional rugby players that so many Kiwis are in awe of...

I now present you with STICKER SLAP, part 1 & part 2, courtesy of Random Rugby.  Always worth a good giggle!

Part one - starring the All Blacks

Part two - starring SuperXV players

Rugga boys get their groove on

...... we absolutely love this video, so I felt the need to share it right here....  I cannot hear the name 'Liam Messam' now, without adding a little 'oooo oooo oooo oooo ooo ooooo ooo' afterward.

Without further ado....

..... and while we are at it, I also give you the Crusaders 'Harlem Shake', just because I can.

Suppose I should probably include the Blues 'Harlem Shake' as well...  Graham Henry is the mascot... that in itself is worth a look.

I shall be back in the very near future, to give my thoughts on the Super XV to date, and also the potential All Blacks squad for the June internationals, v France.

Who would make a 1st XV of NZ rugby hotness?

Over the next couple of months there will be ample opportunity for myself and other Kiwi rugby fans to predict who will make the All Blacks squad for the June tests against France.

Of course Zac Guildford & Dan Carter
would feature in such a team!

No doubt there will be many opposing views regarding the criteria for making the squad – namely should current form win out over past form. Will Steve Hansen and his merry men again pick players who didn't stand out in the Super XV, but have proven themselves in previous seasons in the black jersey? Will those who have truly impressed at Super XV level this year miss out in favour of the 'tried and true who haven't really performed, but probably will in the black jersey'?

It is my opinion that Steve Hansen and Co. need to think ahead to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and start giving young players who are playing phenomenally the chance to get experience in the coveted All Blacks jersey. It is a fact that of the 2012 All Blacks, 8 were aged 30 or over, and while it's great to think these guys could all still be performing at their peak in 18 months time, the fact of the matter is that with age, performance declines, players are more susceptible to injury and being presented with

Every team needs a little mongrel... and Jarrad Hoeata
is the most mongrel-ific player in NZ rugby right now!

European and Japanese contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars is understandably enticing. No player's future through to RWC 2015 is certain, but it has to be least certain for the more 'senior' members of the team.

A prime example of choosing past form over current form comes in the shape of Piri Weepu. He was selected for the All Blacks in 2012, much to the shock of even his most devoted fans. His Super XV performance had been lacklustre, particularly with comparison to the man who missed out because of Piri – Andy Ellis. In all, Piri Weepu had two or three starts last year, and generally came off the bench with about 20

He may be a little on the young side, but
Sam Cane holds a lot of potential....

minutes to go. In all but one game he made little to no impact in his few minutes on the field, and as the season progressed one really had to wonder exactly what Steve Hansen could see in Piri, that no one else could. I won't go into the real reason I believe Piri made the squad. That is between Steve & Piri...

It is understandable that the All Blacks selectors want to pick sides who can win – but no team can win all of the time, and maybe it's worth sacrificing a win or two in order to start giving the developing players experience in the All Black jersey. In 2012 Steve and co. DID get some new blood into the team – the likes of Aaron Smith and Julian Savea proving that the young fellas have what it takes to compete at international level. In the case of Aaron Smith he went from being a general unknown to the choice #9 for the All Blacks, in place of Piri Weepu. Tawera Kerr-Barlow then went on to become the second choice #9. Behind Aaron Smith. Ahead of Piri Weepu. You know – 'full of past experience' Piri Weepu.

Straight men can probably skip the following...

Not your stereotypical hotty, but like it or not,
Matt Todd IS hot!

One thing that IS a certainty however, is that New Zealand rugby is ALWAYS going to be full of quality eye candy. Whether you like the clean cut look or the more rugged look, it is a dead cert that within NZ rugby, you will find a large list of candidates to perve on each weekend. I am sure that all the women who visit Pink Rugby, firstly do so because they purely enjoy the game of rugby... but I am just as sure that for a large majority, the appeal isn't purely... pure!

It is with this thought... nay, FACT, in mind, that I give you my first official NZ 1^st XV (& the requisite 7 reserves). As with all team predictions, the choices are very much subjective, but I'm sure that you will all agree with at least one player on the McBonbon 1^st XV. Seeing as it is rather hard [for me personally] to find a hot 1, 2 or 3, I have opted to choose the 22 hottest players, regardless of their onfield position.

The McBonbon 1^st XV

(in no particular order.... for the most part)

1. Zac Guildford (Crusaders)
2. Richie McCaw (Crusaders)
3. Matt Todd (Crusaders)
4. Jarrad Hoeata (Highlanders)
5. Phil Burleigh (Highlanders)
6. Daniel Carter (Crusaders)
7. Liam Messam (Chiefs)
8. Shaun Treeby (Highlanders)
9. Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
10. Tamati Ellison (Highlanders)
11. Israel Dagg (Crusaders)
12. TJ Perenara (Hurricanes)
13. Cory Jane (Hurricanes)
14. Kade Poki (Highlanders)
15. Richard Kahui (Chiefs)
16. Sam Cane (Chiefs)
17. Andre Taylor (Hurricanes)
18. Dominic Bird (Crusaders)
19. Andy Ellis (Crusaders)
20. Ali Williams (Blues)
21. Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
22. Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)

Highlanders.... *shakes head*

(also published on Pink Rugby)

When it was announced that the Highlanders had the services of Tony Woodcock, Ma'a Nonu and

I too would be bowing my head in shame

Brad Thorn for the 2013 Super Rugby season, it seemed the Highlanders would have a very competitive team. Between them, the three new signings have 231 All Blacks caps, and 305 Super Rugby caps – when added to the likes of Andrew Hore, it seemed the Highlanders would have a very magical team for 2013. Definitely the team to watch!

Some very impressive pairings automatically came to mind – Hore and Woodcock in the front row, Thorn and Jarrad Hoeata together in the locking department, then in the backs Aaron Smith feeding the ball to Ma'a Nonu, Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear and Ben Smith. Ten players with All Black & Maori All Blacks experience, it seemed like a no brainer. As an ex-Highlanders supporter I must admit that I

Elliot Dixon
... tats AND the man can play!

perience to the team. While I'm sure their knowledge and experience has been beneficial to the other players on the team, it seems that the Highlanders have become almost a 'retirement home' for players. Rather than playing with the energy and vitality of younger players, all these new, experienced signings seem to be making little impact at all on the team, almost as if they'd be happier sitting down to a game of BINGO or crib, while sipping on a sherry.

When you look at numbers (as I regularly do, having a fetish for rugby statistics), on paper the Highlanders have the oldest average age, at 25.7 years, followed by the Hurricanes on 25.1, the Chiefs on 24.8, the Blues on 24.0 and the Crusaders on 23.7. When analysed even further – focusing solely on forward packs, the Highlanders again have the oldest age average, at 27.9 years, with the four other teams averaging between 25.1 and 25.9 years. These averages make it clear that while age can often mean experience – it doesn't always translate into success.

As we enter round nine, it seems that the Highlanders coaches are shaking things up to try and get

One can watch the Highlanders lose....
and perve at Phil Burleigh....

that elusive first win of the season – All Blacks Aaron Smith and Colin Slade have been dropped, in favour of some lesser-known names. I personally think this is a good thing – because it HAS been all the 'lesser' knowns from the team, who are performing well this year. The likes of Elliot Dixon, Phil Burleigh (who also has the added benefit of being some major eye candy!) and Kade Poki have been playing exceptionally well. I think it's time for the coaches to stop waiting for the bigger names (namely any player who has worn the black jersey in the last 24 months) to finally step up, and for them to instead give the lesser-knowns a chance to prove their worth.

Jarrad Hoeata.
Just cos he's hot.
Unlike the Highlanders.

While I'm at it, perhaps the Highlanders lack of success is all down to the 'Nonu Curse'. Think about it it. 2011 – Hurricanes play badly. With Nonu. 2012 – Blues play badly. With Nonu. 2013 – Highlanders are playing badly. With Nonu. Yes, perhaps it's unfair to suggest, but I guarantee you it is a thought that every Kiwi rugby fan has had over the past couple of weeks. I would go as far as to say that the 'Landers will secure their first win without Nonu on the field.

OF COURSE it's not all bad. If the Super XV was a sexy-man competition, the Highlanders would be sitting in the top four, especially when Tamati Ellison comes back from injury in the next couple of weeks.