Meet ‘Little Tommy’ - the ugliest ear in rugby and the Waratahs’ newest reserve

MEET ‘Little Tommy’ - the ugliest ear in rugby. Waratahs’ Tom Robertson’s cauliflower ear has taken on a life of its own after the prop revealed he will need plastic surgery on his mangled antenna when he retires.

“Little Tommy” in all his glory. Picture: AAP

TOM Robertson’s ear is burning.

Not only because everyone is talking about it, but because he continually has to scrape it against teammates’ heads during rolling maul practice at training.

The NSW Waratahs prop has developed the ultimate cauliflower in the past few weeks and his left ear has become such a topic of intrigue teammates have been giving the growth a name, following halfback Nick Phipps’ suggestion of ‘Little Buddha’ last week.

“Paddy Ryan called it ‘Little Tommy’, [Damien] Fitzpatrick called it ‘Claude’, [who is] also Ned Hanigan’s girlfriend so they thought that was a great name, I haven’t really stuck with one just yet,” Robertson said.

“Little Tommy” in all its glory. Picture: AAP

The 23-year-old will require plastic surgery to fix the injury once he hangs up the boots.

“I’ve been told I’m stuck with it for at least 10 years, and then I can get a little plastic surgery, get a few other things fixed up while they’re in there.

“I’ve had it drained about 20 times now, pretty much three or four times a week either mum or the doctor comes and drains it.

“Then I’ve tried magnets, blue tack, a paperclip, a lot of stuff.

SPEARING: Waratahs’ bizarre pre-game ritual

WINGER: Demolition man steals Folau’s tries record

Tom Robertson will need plastic surgery on his ear when he retires from rugby.

“How’s Little Tommy holding up...?” Picture: AAP

“It hurts if you’re in a maul or you tackle with your left side, I will say that. But that’s at training, when you’re playing in front of 18,000 people as I was on the weekend, you’ve got bigger things to worry about.”

Robertson will line up again in the front row for NSW against the Brumbies at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

Having already secured a quarter-final spot, victory will ensure the Tahs finish second on the overall ladder and can host the semi-final if they win their first playoff match.

Watch the 2018 Super Rugby Season on FOX SPORTS. SIGN UP NOW >

Originally published as Meet ‘Little Tommy’ - the ugliest ear in rugby and the Waratahs’ newest reserve