Cronulla Sharks prop Toby Rudolf has lifted the lid on one of the most unusual pre-match rituals in professional sport, leaving the rugby league world both shocked and amused in equal measure.
The NRL star revealed that before every game, he deliberately defecates in his shorts as part of what he describes as an essential superstition that brings him good fortune on the field.
'I've done it before every game for the last five years,' Rudolf confessed during a light-hearted interview. 'It's just one of those things that stuck - I feel like it gives me an edge out there.'
Rudolf's teammates have apparently become accustomed to the bizarre routine, though opposition players might think twice before engaging in close-quarters combat with the front-rower.
The 27-year-old forward explained that the unusual practice began accidentally during his early career but has since become an non-negotiable part of his match preparation.
'First time it happened was nerves, pure and simple,' he recalled. 'But we won that game, and then the next one, and suddenly it became a superstition. Now I can't not do it.'
Sports psychologists suggest that such rituals, however unconventional, can provide athletes with a sense of control and mental preparation before high-pressure performances.
Rudolf's confession has sparked both laughter and disbelief across social media, with fans creating memes and jokes about the Sharks' 'number two' performing his 'number two' routine.
Despite the humorous aspect, Rudolf maintains that the ritual is taken seriously within the Sharks camp, where unusual pre-game habits are respected as part of an athlete's mental preparation.
The Sharks medical staff have reportedly given the practice their unofficial blessing, noting that it causes no physical harm and appears to work psychologically for the player.
As Rudolf continues his NRL career, one thing is certain: his opponents will now be watching him very carefully during the pre-game warm-up.
