By David Di Somma
The title of the Biggest Boot was on the line in Christchurch today.
Representatives from all 26 rugby unions competed to see who had the longest place kick and it turned out to be a South Island derby.
With first prize being a return trip to see the All Blacks play in London, this was always going to be a serious matter. Representatives from all 26 unions took part.
Kicking on the tarmac at Christchurch Airport without rugby boots wasn't easy, and for Thames Valley's Brook Tremayne, his strategy to wear just socks backfired spectacularly – his bare feet causing him some pain.
“I felt sorry for the guy who slipped over and fell on his bum,” says All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu. “But some of the other boys have got good kicking technique.”
One to emerge as a real contender was Otago's Pera Gibbs, despite ongoing knee problems.
With his mother and former Silver Ferns coach Leigh Gibbs looking on, he made the big decider between two South Island neighbours.
But in the final, Gibbs kicked both his attempts out of bounds. That gifted the Biggest Boot title to North Otago's Billy Guyton.
“I've always wanted to see London and see that stadium, and now I get to go,” says Guyton.
With a swirling wind making conditions tricky, his biggest boot was 59.9m.
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