Mike Pyke - Canada's Unknown Hero

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Mike Pyke the former Canadian international rugby fullback who scored a famous intercept try against the All Blacks at the 2007 Rugby World Cup will play in the biggest game of his life this weekend.

Pyke won't be playing rugby, instead he will be playing in the AFL Premiership final for the Sydney Swans after switching codes in 2009 and becoming an Australian Rules ruckman. The 28 year old is nearly two metres tall and has speed, athleticism and kicking skills making him ideal for Australian Rules. This weekend he will have his work cutout for him in front of nearly 100,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against Hawthorn. The funny thing is that his achievement barely rates a mention in hockey mad Canada! I think it would be a great story if he could be part of an AFL Premiership winning team.

It leaves you wondering which other great rugby union players could be superstars in other sports?

Australians have a massive weekend of sport ahead with both the AFL and NFL finals along with the Rugby Championship Round 5.