Nowadays, in Rugby League, nearly every single player has a nickname; whether it is just an adaptation of their surname - for example, Luke Gale of the Castleford Tigers is often referred to as 'Galey' by his teammates - or a wacky and weird nickname that they have grown up with, nicknames are far and wide in the sport. In the past, a few have stood out such as Martin 'Chariots' Offiah, Mark 'Piggy' Riddell and arguably the most creative, Reg Gasnier's moniker, 'Puff the Magic Dragon'. So, in the past two decades or so that Super League has been in play, just who are the five players with the best and most memorable nicknames?
5. Junior 'Hot Sauce' Sa'u
Junior 'Hot Sauce' Sa'u has been plying his trade in the Super League with the Salford Red Devils since 2014. Over the years, he has been a key player for the Lancashire outfit and is recognised as one of the most consistent in the team. Yet, Sa'u is also recognised as a player with a quite original nickname: Hot Sauce.
You would be correct in thinking that the nickname was given to him because of his love of hot sauce. In an interview with the Offload in February 2016, Sau stated that the label 'Hot Sauce' was first given to him back in 2008 when he played for NRL side Newcastle Knights after his teammates, Cooper Vuna and Terence Seuseu picked up the fact that Sa'u loved his hot sauce and that the nickname has stuck ever since.
4. Manu 'The Beast' Vatuvei
This tag does not take much explaining. Manu Vatuvei stands at 6 ft 2 and weighs over 110kg; maybe if the former New Zealand international played in the pack these statistics would not raise the eyebrow. Yet, Vatuvei plays on the wing. The man himself is a massively recognisable figure in the Rugby League world, having played in numerous international competitions with New Zealand as well as spending ten seasons with NRL side New Zealand Warriors.
Vatuvei earned his nickname not just for his stature, but, for the way he plays the game; full-pelt, crashing into opponents whether his side is on the attack or defence. Salford will be hoping that the 31-year-old continues to live up to his sobriquet in 2018.
3. Steve 'Beaver' Menzies
Steve 'Beaver' Menzies was the ripe-old age of 39 when he finally retired from Rugby League after playing in a remarkable 21 seasons.
Most of his time was spent playing for his hometown club Manly; in fact, he was at the Sea Eagles for 16 seasons before he made the move to Bradford Bulls in 2009. After two years with the Bulls, he moved countries once more, this time to the south of France to join Catalans Dragons.
With another three seasons chalked off, Menzies finally called time on his career at the end of 2013. But, the nickname 'Beaver' is likely to stick with him forever; the label has nothing to do with how he plays the game on the field, but, fascinatingly, comes from a 1950s American TV sitcom 'Leave it to Beaver,' which is a show about an inquisitive freckle-faced eight-year-old called Theodore 'Beaver' Cleaver. And, apparently, Menzies was said to have looked like him as a young kid.
2. 'Frank-Paul the Wrecking Ball'
Frank-Paul Nu'uausala's nickname does not give away much; as an NRL player for both Sydney Roosters and Canberra, he earned the not so affectionate moniker 'Frank-Paul the Wrecking Ball' for his physicality and his ability to throw off defenders like ragdolls. After joining Wigan Warriors midway through the 2016 season, Frank-Paul went on to play a vital role in the Warriors' Grand Final triumph in October. Although 2017 was, by some way, not his best year, Nu'uausala still has it in him - at 30 years of age - to live up to his nickname if he stays at Wigan for the 2018 season.
1. Lesley 'The Volcano' Vainikolo
This nickname - like most of the above - takes little explanation.
Lesley 'The Volcano' Vainikolo would literally erupt as he was given the ball by his teammates, earning himself a reputation as one of the most formidable wingers in Super League while at the Bradford Bulls. His try-scoring record was also something to behold. In 152 games, the 6 ft 2, 112kg powerhouse scored 149 tries and set the Super League try-scoring record at 36 in the 2004 season - a statistic which stood over a decade until Denny Solomona registered 37 in the 2016 season.
For six seasons at Odsal, Vainikolo tormented and haunted teams with his sheer power, pace and physicality; it was a real shame for the game as a whole, therefore, that he made the switch to Rugby Union at the end of the 2007 season. His time in Rugby League had, unfortunately, been cut short.
