The 2019 Rugby World Cup saw some of the best-paid players in the world come to blows – but not all players at the tournament are even professional.
Here are six players who have left their day job behind to head to Japan to represent their country.
VEGAN FOOD CHAIN: Canada centre Nick Blevins owns Beetroot Kitchen and has had to take three months out and pay people to replace him. He adopted a plant-based diet in 2015 – has now launched a dairy alternative brand with hopes ‘to change the world’ with fiancé and fellow rugby star Michele Helmeczi.
ROOFER: Siua Maile was scouted playing amateur rugby by the Tongan coaches on Facebook after an injury crisis at hooker and was suddenly thrust into the starting XV to face New Zealand.
Siua Maile without doubt most “out of nowhere” RWC selection. Never been in any Tonga squad before, nor a Super Rugby or Mitre10 Cup squad, can’t even find his DOB online. Selected from Shirley in Canterbury club league, now makes his debut vs All Blacks.https://t.co/mffYbTKIFO
— Tier 2 Rugby (@T2Rugby) September 4, 2019