Gay Rugby World Cup team snubs Dan Carter

By Imogen Crispe

Herald on Sunday·

22 Oct, 2011 04:30 PM2 mins to read

Dan Carter has been snubbed. Photo / Supplied

A gay Rugby World Cup 2011 composite team has been selected, and injured All Black Dan Carter has missed out.

Victoria University senior law lecturer Dean Knight, who is on sabbatical in London, created Facebook page Queer Eye for the Rugby Guy: RWC2011 edition, calling for nominations "by gays with a special eye for ruggers".

The page had 273 likes and lots of discussion on the wall about which players should be selected. It also features plenty of pictures of topless rugby players.

Labour list candidate Jordan Carter liked the page. "I thought it was a light-hearted piece of fun," he said.

Knight said, "The team has a good balance of shapes and sizes, with some big and beefy players, some hirsute, some clean-cut, some suave and sultry. And even a twinky Justin Bieber look-alike."

Sonny Bill Williams was chosen for the number 12 position, Owen Franks in number 3 and Richard Kahui in number 14. French player Francois Trinh-Duc was chosen ahead of Dan Carter for number 10. "The view was taken that the underwear man is now past his prime," Knight said.

"David Pocock was always a strong contender for open-side flanker and his support for gay marriage put that beyond doubt."

Japanese team coach John Kirwan was a unanimous choice for coach as international rugby's first metrosexual coach, Knight said.

Referee was given to Nigel Owens. "In the end it was difficult not to give it to 'our' Nigel Owens, as he's the only out gay player or official at the tournament."

Queer Eye for the Rugby Guy 1st XV

1. Cian Healy (Ire)

2. Ross Ford (Sco)