These rugby stars turn up the heat anywhere

Michael Letts (team captain), and players Jake Letts, Cleo Gomez, and Joe Matthews

The scorching heat last Tuesday afternoon was no match for the hotness of the Philippine Volcanoes National Men’s Rugby team, whom I met up close at Via Mare Greenbelt 3 for their launch as Globe’s ambassadors to help fight “bill shock.”

It was also a celebration of their outstanding win in the Asian 5 Nations Division 1 Championship, which brings them one step closer in their quest to qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

Our new sports heroes are movie-star material. Should they decide to  join show biz, the “Rugby Boys” need not worry about the usual sexual-preference rumors that most actors have to endure, since these guys simply ooze with testosterone from head to toe!

Got to chat with two of the Volcanoes hotties, Jake Latts and Joseph Matthews. Overwhelming charm indeed!

Would you say that the Volcanoes are more popular now than the Azkals?

Jake Latts: There’s no rivalry between us and there shouldn’t be. We both play for the Philippines.

Joseph Matthews: No competition. We wish each other well. Their victories and our victories are for all the Filipinos who support us.

Would you go into show business if a good offer came along?

JL: I’d rather concentrate on rugby. I can’t serve two masters. One would suffer because I cannot divide my time or attention. Doing ads and posing for billboards are as show biz as it gets for me.

JM: As long as it does not get in the way of my sport—but rugby will always be my priority.

How do you deal with discrimination by your detractors who pick on you since you’re not 100 percent Filipino?

JL: We can’t choose our parents. Most of us on the team are half-Filipino. That doesn’t make us less Filipino, even if we don’t speak Tagalog fluently. We play rugby with our hearts for Filipinos.

JM: People judge us because our skin is a different color. But we have Filipino blood. I hope they give us a sporting chance. After all, we give every game our best shot to foster Filipino pride.

How Filipino are you?

JL: I’m friendly and I have a ready smile for everyone. I have an affinity for the Philippines even if I’m based in Australia. But rugby is a big sport there so I get to train more when I’m in Australia.

JM: I’m amazed at how supportive Filipino fans are. They bring us food and gifts and they make us feel idolized. In Australia, it’s more of statistics. Filipinos are close to my heart. Like them, I work hard but I also know how to have fun!

After your win against Sri Lanka, don’t you feel the pressure to outdo yourself with every game?

JL: That’s part of the package. We have to step up to the challenge.

JM: Pressure is good. It makes us perform better.

Is there unspoken rivalry within the team?

JL: None at all. Our brotherhood is beyond rugby. Being half-Filipino we all have a common bond.

JM: We’re one big happy family. It’s no big deal who is more popular. At the end of the day, we are one solid team.

How are your love lives?

JL: I’m single. I just split up with my Italian girlfriend. I’m open to dating Filipino girls. But I wouldn’t date someone who’d be jealous of my sport. For me to fall for her, she should love not only me but also what I do.

JM: I’m happily married. My wife is my No. 1 fan!

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