Bloody good cause grows on Cup rugby reps
19th October 2009 03:22PM
By BEN STANLEY - Waikato Times
Waikato's rug efforts have been a bit hairy this season and so have some of the players lately.
Waikato players have joined dozens of others in the Air New Zealand Cup taking part in the Beards for Blood appeal, raising awareness for the New Zealand Blood Service and the Leukemia and Blood Foundation.
Some of Waikato and Northland rug's most impressive growers matched up at Waikato Stadium last night ahead of tonight's round 12 Cup clash.
Bearded Waikato captain Liam Messam admitted he was a little "embarrassed'' of his facial furniture compared to some of the other players, singling out Northland forward Karl Hoatana's ginger crumb collector as a particularly heroic effort.
"Mine is not really anything compared to some of these Northland guys. They are from Northland though,'' he said.
Messam said the facial growth had acted as a "good luck charm'' for the team, and with Waikato winning its last four games, he hinted the beards might stay if results continue to go their way.
With most of the team, and coaching staff, growing either beards or moustaches, the All Black loose forward said he was impressed with his teammates' commitment for a good cause.
"It's really awesome. The boys are really getting behind it.'' Northland fullback Jared Payne, whose own soup strainer was a reasonably well-maintained effort, confirmed tonight's game would be his last outing on a rug field sporting the beard.
''It can get a bit waterlogged, and the other week it was pretty hot, so not so good,'' he said. Payne said convincing his partner was a major hurdle in growing the beard in the first place.
"She's not a fan of the beard, but she knows it's for a good cause so she let it happen.'' The Waikato Rug Union are offering fans a chance to shave beards, with Alex Bradley, Liam Messam and coach Chris Gibbes up to lose their beards.
All auction proceeds will go to Beards for Blood.
* Head to www.mooloo.co.nz for more information.
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