The IRB have moved swiftly to maintain public interest in weakened touring teams by introducing a minimum of one freaky-looking guy per team. France's Sebastian Chabal was picked out by the cameras ahead of Saturday's France v New Zealand international, and the IRB think they may just have stumbled on a winner. IRB Chairman Syd Millar said "Focus group testing showed the Kiwi public reacted very positively to Chabal picking up on his 'mad, staring eyes' and 'feral, caveman-like appearance'. Now, when Northern Hemisphere team can't be arsed sending any decent players on tour, the freaky-looking can create real interest for the rugby public."
IRB Marketing manager Seamus Healy said "Our great game prides itself on having a place for men of all shapes and sizes, and that goes for the freaky-looking too. Just look at some of the greats of the game, who've represented their countries with distinction such as Vuninbaka, Janie De Beer, and John Eales. At school and club level the freaky-looking have long been embraced, and it's time the international game got on board."
The new rules, which are being trialled in South Africa, state teams must include a minimum of one freaky-looking player, one that's pretty ugly, with a spare freak on the bench that can play hooker or half back. Millar said "Freaky-ness can be defined as having an unusual physique, having a distinctive haircut or running style, or even unusual accessories like gloves or pantyhose. Keith Woods looked a lot like Uncle Fester from The Addams Family, so he could be classed as freaky-looking, for example. We're totally open on this."
Rival codes American Football and Equestrian expressed concern about Rugby pillaging their stocks of freaky-looking athletes, but Healy was quick to reassure them that Rugby had "Stacks of freaks of our own. Stacks".
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