Tonga star caps recovery from cancer in style
There were times not long ago when Tonga loose forward Nasi Manu was too sick and weak from chemotherapy to walk up the steps of a stadium. Yesterday he played in a rugby World Cup match. Manu got his moment off the bench having completed a recovery from testicular cancer that saw him have emergency surgery, undergo months of chemotherapy and miss all international rugby last year and most of this season.
FORMER Germany and Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski was in Yokohama on Saturday to watch the All Blacks’ victory over South Africa. The 34-year-old now plays for Japanese side Vissel Kobe and sat beside New Zealand legend Dan Carter in the stands. After the match, Podolski headed for the famous Shibuya crossroads with his wife Monika where they had a McDonald’s for dinner! PriNCe harry joined in the World Cup fever yesterday by sending a good luck video message to england. The royal rugby fan (below) said he was ‘so pumped’ for the competition and thanked the team for sending a shirt to his son Archie. Other luminaries who sent their wishes include harry Kane, Anthony Joshua and Gareth Southgate.
HAVE a break and do your homework, Jenks! Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins clearly hadn’t done his research when he packed 80 KitKats for the trip to Japan. The creature of habit was clearly unaware that Japanese convenience stores have one of the most extensive KitKat ranges in the world. There have been more than 300 different flavours on sale since 2000 and the offerings include green tea, banana and creme brulee! STAYiNG true to his Pacific island roots, england winger Joe Cokanasiga was in the crowd to cheer on Fiji against Australia on Saturday. The giant winger hails from the village of Deuba and his cousin, Waisea Nayacalevu, was playing centre for the tier-two side. he was joined in the crowd at the Sapporo Dome by other non-playing members of england’s squad.
NOT all heroes wear capes. Japanese superfan Bak-san is defying the humidity by painting all 20 team jerseys on his chest during the World Cup. He kicked off with the red and white stripes of Japan on Friday night — despite temperatures topping a sweaty 30°C!