What rhymes with Rugger?

By October 23, this dreadlocked yellow fellow with his huge, gap-toothed grin will be one of the most recognisable faces in New Zealand. Edward Rooney reports.
Meet the mascot for the Rugby World Cup 2011.
His name is Rugger and any resemblance to any former All Black is, apparently, pure coincidence.
The Aucklander has obtained a sneak preview of merchandise material, some of which will be launched tomorrow by Auckland Mayor Len Brown. Plastered all over the items is the rolled tresses and gurning face of Rugger.
A straw poll of people this morning drew very mixed responses to the first sight of Rugger.
"Is he missing teeth?" says one woman in her 20s, "or just wearing a very badly fitted mouthguard?"
Says one baby-boomer woman: "Would Tana Umaga feel flattered or insulted at this likeness of him? The teeth, the teeth! Where are they?"
One chap of the older generation suggested All Blacks coach Graham Henry should test all his selections for hepatitis.
More than one person described Rugger as a Muppet ...
"He looks like a cross between Sesame Street's Oscar the Grouch and the Count," says another polled, "except, uglier."
One respondent thought Rugger might be a member of the Bananas in Pyjamas family and expressed concern about the shape of his hands.
Rugger has been around for some time, making infrequent guest appearances at New Zealand Rugby Union community events. He also has family members, known as the Ruggeroos, who go by the names of William, Webb and Alice.
Rugger will stretch his legs next at the announcement in Auckland of an "Adopt-a-second-team" programme for shopping centres, primary schools and rugby clubs.
Former All Blacks Grant Fox and Steve McDowell - now Romania's assistant coach - will help the mayor launch the programme at a restaurant in St Heliers on Thursday afternoon.
Under the scheme, schools and rugby clubs will be encouraged to support a team other than the All Blacks at the tournament, which runs from September 9 until the final on October 23.
"Adopt-a-second team" allows local communities, including businesses, schools and Rugby clubs, to demonstrate support for one of the 19 international teams involved in the RWC 2011.
The tournament will host 20 competing nations - including ours - with Auckland securing 15 matches, among them the opening match and the final. Three matches have been moved from earthquake-ravaged Christchurch.
The Adopt-a-second-team programme is promoted to urge local communities to show support for one of the tournament's 19 competing teams, as well as the host nation.
A briefing paper states: "This ensures the event's success as a festival, regardless of whether the host nation advances through to the final stages.
"The programme supports local community engagement in the event and allows an inclusive festival and educational environment to be created that reflects the visiting nations and their cultures."
A starter kit will be distributed to business improvement districts or mainstreets, rugby clubs and primary schools throughout Auckland.
It includes dressing tools to kickstart the look and feel of the programme in each community. Additional to the products provided free, business districts and mainstreets may also buy extra dressing materials at cost.
The rollout for the Adopt-a-second-team will go to 40 business precincts, 500 primary schools and 50 rugby clubs.
Assuredly, they will be delighted to receive the Rugger-clad resources. As one woman from our poll shrugged: "At least he's not the Air NZ ferret thing."