Waratahs take mickey with own set of 'skills'

Still from the Waratahs video. Photo / Supplied

All Black fans might fancy their chances against the Wallabies this year if the latest "skills" video from across the Tasman is anything to go by.

The All Blacks have released another video for Sky TV's Rugby Channel with Israel Dagg, Cory Jane and Ma'a Nonu showing off an amazing array of passing, kicking, watermelon-throwing and sausage-catching skills.

Not to be outdone, the New South Wales Waratahs have stayed within budget and produced their own low-tech "Waratahs Skills - Summer Edition" version. Wallaby fullback Kurtley Beale and wing Drew Mitchell, prop Benn Robinson and hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau get "tricky" with rugby balls, pot plants, a kiddies' pool, a barbecue and lots of tomato sauce.

The group displays a forgettable range of rugby basics as they show "how we do it at the 'Tahs".

All Blacks manager Darren Shand said it was good to see them having a laugh ahead of the Investec Super 15 Rugby season that starts this weekend.

The All Blacks' first skills video shown on the Rugby Channel in September featured four players doing impossible things with rugby balls. The Brumbies immediately parodied the video, their efforts clocking up more than 600,000 hits on YouTube.