Manly Marlins player Nic White makes final of Budgy Smugglers ‘ordinary rig’ competition

MANLY’S Nic White is a finalist in Australia's Most Ordinary Rig competition run by swimwear company Budgy Smugglers. It’s a search for men who are extra ordinary.

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IT IS  a swimwear competition for the ordinary Aussie bloke sick of seeing buffed bodies on the beach.

The Manly-based Budgy Smuggler brand, which gained worldwide publicity when former prime minister Tony Abbott was pictured sporting the skimpy briefs, said it was all about celebrating “good blokes, rather than how good you look”.

And now, 19-year-old Nic White, a Manly Marlins Colts player from Dee Why, has won a place in the finals.

Nic White in his Budgy Smugglers. Picture: Martin Lange.

The forward, who also works in security, said he loved the philosophy behind the brand, which was all about not taking life too seriously.

“I have a very ordinary rig, which is why I entered,” said the keen sportsman.

“I also thought it would be a bit of fun.

“My mates thought it was unreal when I got a spot in the top 10.”

Mr White said his girlfriend Bianca Mangioni, 20, was less impressed, “but had come around”.

He said her Italian cooking had helped him get his “ordinary rig”, as well as six Weet-Bix and a banana for breakfast, the odd Trufflenator hamburger from Dee Why Hotel and his love of beer.

Tony Abbott pictured in his Budgy Smugglers while taking part in a surf patrol at the Queenscliff Surf Club. Picture: News Local.

Mr White has been promoting himself by walking around Manly wearing just his Budgy Smugglers.

“I’ve got a few looks and a lot of giggles,” he said.

“The best was people really wanting to look, but trying not to — a bit like trying not to sneak a look at a train wreck.”

Nic White reclines in his swimming jocks on Manly Beach. Picture: Martin Lange.

He said his inspiration was former Australian rugby player Matt Dunning, before he lost weight, and former NRL players Michael Weyman and George Rose.

While Mr White, who weighs 135kg, said he was happy with his “ordinary rig”, he would be trying to shed a few kilos before the rugby season started again.

Jarrod Allen, from Budgy Smuggler headquarters in Wentworth St, said Mr White had earned his spot in the top 10 because he had the kind of body they were looking for and was pretty funny.

He said the final was being held at the Ivy Pool on October 15 when the contestants would have to walk the catwalk.

To support Mr White, go to the Budgy Smuggler Facebook page, and like and share his photo.

The judging criteria

■ Should look like they could have been good at sport at some point in their life, although were most likely prevented via injury or being robbed by selectors early in their career.

■ Must be capable of launching a child from their shoulders several metres in a swimming pool.

■ Bonus points awarded for likes / shares on social media as well as descriptions of the exceptional ordinariness of the person pictured.

■ Please note that a six-pack is an automatic disqualification.

Meletios Pikos is also a finalist.

But Buddy Franklin is not. Picture: KHAP

Mount Isa plumber Dan Leyden is a finalist too.