I found this article quite entertaining. I know we can add a lot more. I bet we will be able to add 50 more before Christmas.
Ten minutes before kick-off in Leicester’s Heineken Cup clash against Ospreys, midfielder Dan Hipkiss withdrew from the starting xv due to injury. In stepped an unknown 20 year old to make his full debut for the Tigers, Billy Twelvetrees.
A try and nine points with the boot later, and every newspaper in the country with a headline specialist was clambering to go to print. On the Monday following the match the sporting media overflowed with puns exploiting all things foliage, making it difficult to ever hope to see Twelvetrees in the spotlight again. In acting and modelling circles, the media race to christen new talent with clever names, but in rugby – as with all team sports – the nicknames come from team mates and the fans.
The names that crop up in rugby circles are not just a reflection of personal attributes; they also give great insight into the vernacular of an individual’s homeland.
South Africans have had some of the most colourful nicknames over the years, though few outside the country would appreciate the richness of such names as Windhond Muller, Vleis Visagie and Draadkar de Lange. In today’s Currie Cup the torch has been passed to the brilliantly named Windpomp van Rooyen and Ligtoring Landman.
Derick Hougaard was for many years the jewel of Loftus Versfeld, and the stands would break into a rousing bout of ‘Liefling’ every time the former Blue Bull kept the scoreboard ticking over in Pretoria. Loftus will see many more flyhalves, but that name will stick with Hougaard for life.
On the other side of the Super 14, new Force signing Andre Pretorius has been picked up for his cocked eyebrow in the lead up to his goal kicking, and some fans now refer to him as ‘Blue Steel’.
In the forwards, South Africa’s recent production line of memorably named props has churned out Toks van der Linde, Ollie le Roux, Baksteen Nel and Os du Randt among others, and these days there is barely a stadium in the world that doesn’t break into a dull roar of ‘Beeeast’ every time Durban’s favoured son is involved in a play.
Mtawarira’s French equivalent in terms of cult status would have to be ‘Homme des Cavernes’ – the Caveman. Sebastian Chabal is himself a well-publicised figure around the world, and is recognised by even those who don’t watch rugby.
But not all nicknames that originate from physical attributes are flattering. Gareth Thomas, Wales’ centurion, answers to the alias ‘Alfie’ due to an unfortunate resemblance to the hairy alien ‘Alf’ from the tv show of the same name.
Former England centre Will Greenwood is called ‘Shaggy’ after a teammate pointed out how much he looked like Scooby Doo’s best mate.
When Greg Somerville was in the New Zealand colts’ side with Xavier Rush, he was christened ‘Yoda’ – his protestations only serving to cement the name.
Though the most unflattering nickname was picked up by All Black hooker Anton Oliver, who, after a few years in the front row had ruined any chance of a modelling contract coming his way, was mercilessly taunted with ‘Grenade Face’.
Sometimes the nicknames go deeper than looks.
Justin Harrison was called a ‘plank’ by travelling opponent Austin Healy during the 2001 Lions tour to Australia, a name that has stuck with him.
As has ‘Googy’ – Aussie slang for an egg, as he was apparently swiftly identified as a bad egg early in his career.
All Black Christian Cullen had the official tag of ‘Paekakariki Express’, a gallant play on his speediness around the park, but Cullen was apparently not too sharp: behind the scenes he was reportedly referred to as ‘Beer Bottle’ as he was ’empty from the neck up’.
Perhaps the most famous nickname belongs to John Eales. A man who scrummed, dominated the lineouts, performed other pack duties and still found the time to slot Tri Nations winning penalty kicks collected the most respected of nicknames: ‘Nobody’ (though Eales has reportedly said that he cannot recall ever being called this by teammates).
One of Eales’ former colleagues, Stephen Larkham, was given the moniker ‘Bernie’ – named after the corpse from “Weekend at Bernie’s” due to his laid back nature and all-round disinterest in excitement.
The antithesis to Larkham’s lethargic demeanour was Brian Lima, Samao’s bone-shuddering midfield tackler who, unfortunately for his opponents, managed to stretch his career over the span of five world cups. To find out whether or not he deserved his nickname, you only need to speak to the aforementioned Derick Hougaard. During a 2003 world cup group-stage match Hougaard was the unlucky recipient of a rather lofty offering from Joost van der Westhuizen in broken play. Hougaard remembers stretching his arms skyward to catch the pass, seeing “The Chiropractor” out of the corner of his eye, and probably little else.
The international stars’ nicknames remind us that those who play at the top level are no different from any group of guys that gets together every Saturday to play the game, and that being the best in their respective countries doesn’t shield them from the banter that exists in all changerooms around the world; the greatest afterthought of team sports.
And as for Twelvetrees?
Well he is now known as ’36’ on the training paddock at Leicester. He hadn’t been there for long before skipper Geordon Murphy gave him the nickname. When Twelvetrees asked after the origins of the name, Murphy replied (in his Irish drawl): “Well, in Ireland, twelve threes are thirty-six.”
from Rugby365
119 Super
If they were related, I would habe been worried about you! 🙂
@118 SAB – yes we are having rugby but must say some matches are being postponed due to weather. Crazy here mate.
Eish SAB nice to be in your company, long time since.
See there is a nice article about the WP Academy on News 24 , front Row grunt.
@119 Super – your wife stomped on the toe and you yelled too loud.
117 – Irish, 😆 Good one….hehehe.
Good though that Munster won.
Well Super a buddy of mine got swine flu and the grunting affected his throat too…hehehehe
It sure is Puma – At least we cold but are smiling.
Read that you had some buck in your yard again. Must be great to see.
120 – Irish you have the pubs close by though with log fires (hoping) so that should help with the bad weather.
Serious it must be tough of some people over there. Here we are cooking hot in the African sun. 😀 Very hot here today. Piet said it was 40 where he was today. Now that is really hot. In Umhlanga it is the humid weather with the heat and it is a real hottie today. Too hot for me. Rather sit in the aircon. Still have to go out at 4pm. That is fine should be less crowded in the malls. Hoping.
My wife is not that big hey , watch it. 😆
No lets talk rugby.
Have anyone of you read any of Danie Cravans books?
I stumbled upon some of Danies descriptions of the old players of his time , great stories of the days when rugby was just a game. Some very funny. Will post a few more under the other thread, sure Pietman will lead most stories.
Well my girl friend has arrived so better pack the credit card in and let her choose her Christmas gift. Would rather chat from the warmth of my bed though.
Outta here and chat again mates. Will pop on to wish you all a great Christmas.
123 Super
Hi Super, likewise.
You won’t believe me but I’m still working like crazy! Own business has it’s draw backs – pretty kak to have to chase deadlines this time of year
128 – Irish, I opened my patio doors (here in Umhlanga they call it veranda) and there were all the females this morning in my garden with two brand spanking new ones. Brilliant to see. Then later in the day saw 5 males on their own in-front of my garden too. Lovely to see that.
@129 Puma – the pub is just below my apartment mate. Watch a lot of sport there and waddle up the stairs after a few too many.
131 – Irish, Cheers mate. I am doing the last Xmas shopping later. Put it off the whole day..haha.
131 Irish
Cheers mate, and be nice to her 🙂
134 – Irish, well you could not get close than that to a pub… 😆
@133 Puma – sounds fantastic mate. Have to run my lady is here – chat again later.
Cheers manne, have things to do. Irish reminded me I still have to buy my daughter something for Christmas.
While I’m at it, maybe a new Taylor Made 3 wood for me? 🙂
139 – Cheers Irish and SAB.
Taylor Made 3 wood? hahaha. Ag, just get it why not?
139
just buy new, dont buy anything secondhand it might be old, Woods sticks
Hellooooooooooooooooooooo
Fark, my car broke on the way back from delivering 2 fabulous new Notebooks to AB, our blogger friend…
Crank Shaft bearings buggered…. so I need a complete new ENGINE and that’s a bit pricey…. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!
142 GBS
Why not a new car?
Toyota Western Cape’s latest models come with ocean views from all sides.. 🙂
142
Sorry to hear , your workhorse is injured. Good old servant that skedonk 😆 , great car for Joburg , no one wants to steal it. I am treading on thin ice here , no sorry friend. Not nice just before Christmas.
143@ Barbaar – Hehehe
Flok jong…. my tjor is seriously poer in sy moer…. het juis gedink ek moet maar vir my nog ‘n tjorrie kontant koop, dalk ‘n relatiewe onlangse BMW’tjie of ‘n Audi A4 – die ene met die groot grill voor (nie nuut nie, ek glo nie aan tjorre nuut koop nie)…. dan hierdie ene April vir BonzaiGBS gee na ek hom van A-Z gebuff en gespit en polish het en die klein neukerighede laat regmaak het en so bietjie “Sound” vir die jongman laat inbou het…. hy word mos April 17…. so dan kan hy maar ‘n tjor kry.
Flok…. die neukery is nou dat meeste plekke toe is hier oor Kersfees… en ek vat definitief nie self aan die spanners nie…. ek slaan eerder die tille so effe harder in die nuwe jaar en betaal maar nou ‘n vuil-nael fokker en sy assistente om die tjor behoorlik te fix.
144@ SuperBul – Hey, ek het jou vroeër probeer bel… bel my op die selfoon!
142 – GBS, Sorry man, right now too during the festive season. What is it with you and December? Last year you almost got killed by a bakkie too after it run you over.
Wait for the New Year boet, will be cheaper then. Now they will just rip you off before Christmas.
145 GBS
“‘n vuil-nael fokker” heheehehhe
Oppas dat PdV nie hierdie lees nie; hy het mos hoeka ‘n ding met mechanics. Nou-nou stuur jy RJ vir jou hehehehe
148@ Barbaartjie – Ja, hulle is mos “vuil-nael Fokkers”… die klomp mechanics…. hehehe
147@ Puma – Problem is…. one does not realise just how much you need a car or a cellphone or a PC until you do not have one…. I’ll use Handbriekie’s car in the meantime, but hey…. “my goed is my goed”… I need wheels….. so I’ll explore the options tomorrow morning… maybe buy the other car so long, if I get a good deal somewhere, then fix the oldie in the new year.
Users Online
Total 42 users including 0 member, 42 guests, 0 bot online
Most users ever online were 3735, on 31 August 2022 @ 6:23 pm
No Counter as from 31 October 2009: 39,513,717 Page Impressions
_