Over the past few years in rugby, we’ve been accustomed to some special backrow combinations with even better nicknames.
David Pocock and Michael Hooper formed the “Pooper” combination to great effect at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, while England had their own version at the 2019 World Cup with Tom Curry and Sam Underhill forming the “Kamikaze kids”.
The 2021 Waratahs could be unleashing their own new dynamic duo with Lachie Swinton and Carlo Tizzano taking inspiration from the 1994 classic movie D2: The Mighty Ducks, to form the “Bash Brothers” when they link up this weekend to face the Brumbies.
In the American sports comedy, newly arriving teammate Dean Portman clashes with existing player Fulton Reed at the start of the film before becoming good mates and the enforcers of the team.
Tizzano an intensely competitive flanker who hails from Perth, joined the Waratahs in 2020, often had to be separated from the equally fiery Lachie Swinton in training when doing opposed sessions.
Lachie Swinton was asked by the media this week about the heated sessions he had against Tizzano.
“There was one instance when he came in from Perth (where he played seven games for the Western Force in 2019),” Swinton recalled on Tuesday.
“We didn’t really hit it off from the start. But I was a bit cautious because I almost got my head taken off.”
This weekend it will be the Brumbies having to face the music from Carlo, with Swinton thrilled to be on the same side of the feisty openside.
“It’s the thing I’m most excited about playing with Carlo, I’m really keen to roll the corner with him, I just did contact with him before and I can confirm he can whack.”
James Ramm also weighed in on the duo, hinting on what the Brumbies can expect.
“Hopefully they can do some damage, they’re pretty crazy those two, especially when they’re going at it together”
Waratah fans could be belting out a different take on the iconic Mighty Ducks catch phrase in 2021.
“Whack, whack, whack, whack”
