Saving On Razors

Liam Coltman is an old boy with a bit of a difference. His chosen "look" is not the norm for a budding front rower but it is not that way out once you have met Liam's dad Tom. 

Each to their own we say and it was good to see  Liam getting a bit of positive attention in today's papers. Some of the article is quoted below or you can read the whole thing at Liam Coltman - Hairy Hooker.

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The Highlanders hooker has been one of the franchise's finds of the season, albeit a season that has started with eight straight losses.

The 23-year-old has been a revelation coming off the bench for the struggling southern franchise and many have wondered why he hasn't been given more game time this year, as skipper and veteran All Blacks rake Andrew Hore has struggled to find top form following suspension and injury.

Coltman, however, is just happy to be there.

"I'm absolutely loving it. It's definitely an eye-opener in regards to being totally different to the ITM Cup, but it's definitely what I expected - very hard and physical. It's great to have a crack at this level, to have a bit of a runaround for a few minutes after Horey has done his thing out there."

Originally from Taranaki, Coltman shifted to Dunedin in 2008 to study physical education at Otago University.

His studies have gone on hold since he earned a Super Rugby contract and he's doing some part-time work at the Outram butchery.

He began his rugby education as a prop, but switched to hooker in 2010, the same season he won a world title with the New Zealand under-20 team and made his debut for Otago.

"After the 20s they told me to move into hooker and I've been focusing on that the last few years, and it's been good."

There's no question what the hardest part of the move has been.

"Probably just getting the [lineout] throwing going. At prop you only have to worry about lifting your locks in the right place. It's a lot to do with the mental side of things. You can psyche yourself out, but you've just got to focus on what you have to do, and if you throw it in the right place it's up to the locks to get it."

Coltman said the guidance of Hore and fellow All Black Tony Woodcock had been outstanding this season.

There's a lot of talk in Dunedin that the bearded front-rower could one day follow those two grizzled vets into a black jersey.