Chiefs shave heads for a cure

Fans flocked to see Chiefs players shave their heads for the Shave for a Cure fundraiser at the Base Shopping Centre in Hamilton this afternoon.

Several Chiefs players had taken to twitter and Facebook encouraging fans to support the fundraiser, which was part of the Shave 12 campaign that was organised by Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

Chiefs co-captain Craig Clarke said the team had decided to support this cause in memory of their former team doctor Zig Khouri who lost his son Benjamin to Leukaemia.

“It’s good for us to be able to do something; we’ve sort of joined in behind this cause with the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer cause.

“It’s just something really small we can do to raise awareness for that and hopefully they can raise some money for their cause,” Clarke said

Clarke acknowledged people look up the team and felt it was important for the team to be role models for the public to get behind such events.

“Obviously people look up to us and look at what we’re doing. I know it’s just a small thing we do but hopefully people realise that if we get in behind it hopefully some others will.”

Co-captain Liam Messam echoed the thoughts of Clarke and believed it of significance to get behind Dr Khouri who had been his doctor for eight years.

“For me it’s important to give back to our team doctor Zig Khouri … just getting behind him and supporting his family is always a good way,” Messam said

Utility back Tim Nanai-Williams felt it was only suitable for the team to get behind a great cause and have their heads shaved for someone close to the team.

“It was quite appropriate for us to actually get our heads shaved. It’s for a good cause too – we’ve lost a family member, Zig’s son.

“At the Chiefs we speak about family members for him passing away with cancer is definitely good cause for us to give back.”

Nanai-Williams believed the team would be proud to show off their haircuts this weekend.

Now the focus for the Chiefs turns to Saturday’s match against the Waratahs at Waikato Stadium where, Clarke added, the team’s haircuts may give the commentators trouble.