It's hard to imagine but the Bay Steamers' jolly, pie-scoffing mascot, Hori BOP, has a dark side.
That being his "cousin" Hori Black, who plans to put as much madcap support behind the All Blacks in next year's Rugby World Cup as Hori BOP does with the Bay's beloved Steamers.
In his
debut public appearance, this self-described "limited-edition Hori" said one of his sinister plots was to become New Zealand's own version of Suzie - the mysterious South African waitress accused of poisoning the All Blacks' 1995 World Cup team.
"We need New Zealand to come together and get behind the All Blacks," he said.
"The talk that the Australians or the South Africans or the French are going to come over here and upset the apple cart again is just a load of old cobblers.
"We've got to pool together to make sure New Zealand doesn't drop the ball again."
Unlike Rotorua, his home town of Tauranga can't boast having any games next year, but the city could still become what Hori Black called a "centre of resistance against all foreign invaders".
"We have New Zealand's champion piemaker, which has given me the idea of how to poison the South Africans."
HORI FACTS
- Both enjoy pies - especially those made by Pat Lam of Goldstar Patrick's Pies bakery in bethlehem
- Both can be found sporting a Steamers rugby jersey. However, Hori Black can be distinguished by his black face paint with silver ferns - and the occasional dirty deed
- While Hori BOP is the enduring stalwart of the Steamers, Hori Black will be a limited-edition, unofficial All Blacks mascot
- Both are cousins of Hori Bubbles, who prefers paddling in the sea
