Strong, sensitive types

What's in a name? If you're a member of the Australian squad, quite a lot and you wouldn't want to be sensitive

What's in a name? If you're a member of the Australian squad, quite a lot and you wouldn't want to be sensitive. The Aussies pride themselves on poking a bit of fun at each other and nicknames are part and parcel of being a member of the squad.

Here are just a selection:

Melon: Owen Finegan, it's to do with the shape of his head.

Two chairs: Prop Richard Harry, because of his girth.

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Bomber: David Wilson, it's prefixed by stink but we don't know why.

Helmet: Tim Horan, because he can play a game without tossing a hair.

Circus Bear: Andrew Blades, because he looks like one.

Ming: Jeremy Paul, for that oriental look.

Lab Rat (Labbie): Matt Cockbain, again he's supposed to look like one.

Ruben: George Gregan. Apparently an English newspaper described him as having an aboriginal background, which is not the case. There is an Australian soap called Breakers in which there is an aboriginal character called Ruben, hence Gregan's new name.

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer