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Wilkinson a Cats fan and practices with Aussie rules ball

  • Thursday, July 14 2011 @ 03:45 pm ACST
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There are a number of ties between top level Rugby and top level Aussie rules. Coming up to the Rugby World Cup in NZ this year, former Hawthorn player Mick Byrne continues his long involvement with Rugby as a kicking/skills coach with with the All Blacks (and Japan). He has also had stints with the Wallabies as kicking and catching coach when they won the 1999 World Cup and he's also worked with the Brumbies (1998-2001), Springboks (2001-02), Scotland (2002-03) and Saracens prior to his appointment with the NZRU in 2005.

Rugby fans will also be very familiar with England fly half/inside centre Jonny Wilkinson and his elite place kicking and drop goal record. The video below where he answers fan questions reveals that he has connections with Geelong and is a Cats fan. He also has practiced with an Aussie rules footy for some time to hone his kicking skills.