After their 2008 team was deemed medically unfit for travel due to alcohol poisoning, the Hawk Vulgarians have scrambled to field a team just one week before arriving in Manila.

Made up predominantly of female Lithuanian arm wrestling childcare workers on 457 temporary work visas, each player in the new team has received intensive coaching by one of Australia’s most renowned florists and former Lithgow Lions under 12’s rugby captain, Barry Ballzack.

And although their Baltic heritage has meant they’ve grown up without rugby, it doesn’t take away their passion for team sports most of them haven’t played since being conscripted in the Russian Army.

With an average age of 55 the Vulgarians may not be the youngest team to take the field, but they’ll probably be the only ones downing a case of potato vodka before each game.