Who would mess with a man with an eyepatch?
Rightly regarded as one of the greatest wingers in the modern era, Doug Howlett, the former Munster, Blues and All Black star, made a career out of burning opposition defences with his searing and elusive pace.
In a game between the Blues and The Lions in 2007, Howlett, then at the Blues, was in typically brilliant form; scoring two tries for the New Zealander’s in a comprehensive victory.
Earl Rose, it seems, was frustrated at being on the wrong end of a tonking and decided to vent his frustrations on Doug Howlett, which, in retrospect was a bad idea.
After a heated confrontation between the two close to the touchline, Rose, a South African full back, decided to start pushing and shoving Howlett. After a brief game of handbags, the duo were separated by team-mates.
Minutes later, doubtless still riled, Howlett, with all the ferocity of a food denied prop, smashed Rose with a tackle that knocked the Lions number fifteen straight to the turf with a bang.
Youtube Credit: ThomOMalley
