The specialised budgy smugglers keeping Sam Taylor’s family jewels safe following ruptured testicle

Sam Taylor has returned to the field after a gruesome ruptured testicle, and is cutting no corners in protecting the family jewels on the field with specialised protective underwear.

Sam Taylor during GWS Giants training on July 25, 2024. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only – **NO ON SALES** – ©Phil Hillyard )

Giants defender Sam Taylor has revealed he wears specialised protective underwear to protect himself after a bizarre groin injury earlier in the season.

The 25 year old All Australian spent six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a ruptured testicle in the Giants’ win over Port Adelaide in round 14.

Armed with a “gooey pad” inside a budgy smuggler-type underwear, the extra padding “wouldn’t stop it but it would minimise the impact.”

He said the gel cup offered him some protection and peace of mind, with Taylor still unsure exactly how he suffered the injury.

“A few weeks after the incident I had to try to track it down because I knew it was early in the game and I think it happened in the first five minutes of the game,” he said.

“I think it happened when I dove forward to release a hand ball and I slid on the ground.”

“I told myself that I’m not gonna do that move again but it happened straight away against Melbourne. It’s getting the confidence. It wasn’t really a contact injury, it wasn’t a stray hand when I was going for a mark or a big spoil or anything like that.

Sam Taylor was sidelined with a ruptured testicle earlier this season. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

“It does scare you a little bit but it happens all the time during a game and hopefully now that I’m wearing better protective gear and better underwear to make sure it doesn’t happen again, make sure everything is tucked away.

“I have to wear two Speedos now: one to keep it secure and one to keep the protective padding (in place). It’s a gooey pad thing, so if there’s impact it wouldn’t stop it but it would minimise the impact.”

Taylor played his first game since the injury against Melbourne, with the Giants securing an important win in their quest for a top-four berth.

With four points between Carlton in fourth and Hawthorn in ninth, and another four between the Hawks and Collingwood in 12th, Taylor said the fight for finals was as tough as any other year.

“Top four is definitely our aim, we want to end up as high as we can. It’s very difficult to win a grand final not being in the top four,” Taylor said.

“For (the Bulldogs to win) is very rare and that top four spot means a lot and hopefully we can keep winning games though we have a tough run. It’s not going to be easy but if we do play our brand we can definitely do that.”

The Giants will host the Hawks in round 21, with Hawthorn coming off successive 66-point victories over Collingwood and Adelaide.

Originally published as The specialised budgy smugglers keeping Sam Taylor’s family jewels safe following ruptured testicle