NZ Kiwis star Joseph Manu cringes at the memory of his 'Incredible Hulk' performance against Toa Samoa at Eden Park.
For a few seconds, the blockbusting centre lived everyone's worst nightmare - exposed (semi)naked in public, with a big TV audience watching on at home.
Midway through the opening half of the Pacific Championship test, with his team 6-0 ahead, Manu was scragged in three-man tackle that left his No.4 jersey in shreds.
He blushes, as he reflects on those few topless seconds.
"I was in the moment, I guess," he said. "It's not ideal - the first time it's happened to me.
"I was trying to find a jersey straight away. I was a bit sloppy, I reckon, after a few days and a few holidays.
"It was good I got a jersey out there as soon as I could and put it back on."
After playing the ball, he rejoined the backline and took the next carry within metres of the line, threatening to score without the shirt on his back.
Kiwis trainers rushed a spare shirt to Manu, who played on in No.20 for the rest of the fixture.
"It actually felt nice, they couldn't grab my jersey," he said. "I felt slippery, but it is what it is."
The incident would have caught the attention of rugby league fans on both sides of the Tasman, after The Daily Telegraph ranked Manu atop the NRL's 'hottest players' in 2021, heading off the-NZ Warriors fullback Reece Walsh, Manly winger Reuben Garrick, Penrith half Jerome Luai and Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen.
After starring for the national team at the back during last year's Rugby League World Cup, Manu, 27, has switched places with NZ Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and finds himself back in the centres for the Pacific Championship.
"It's good being back in the No.4 jersey," he said. "I always enjoy my time in the centres and I just try to get myself involved.
"Obviously, Charnze has been great at fullback and I'm just doing what I can for the team. Whenever I'm out there, I'm happy."
After a resounding 50-0 win over the Samoans the Kiwis have a chance to avenge their World Cup semi-final defeat by Australia, when they face the world champions at Melbourne on Saturday, before taking them on again in the Pacific Champion final seven days later.
"They're a great side with a lot of attacking flair," said Manu. "We'll look to stop all that, but just focus on ourselves.
"We got a great start, but we want to build on a few things and improve as a team. We're looking forward to getting out there again and playing together, and building those combinations.
"It's going to be a great test."
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