Manly Marlins Rugby union star James Hilterbrand feeds opponent grass in ruck at Shute Shield game

‘Serial pest’ rugby star James Hilterbrand has been busted feeding an opponent grass during a Shute Shield match in Sydney – but insisted ‘it was just a bit of garnish’. 

The 33-year-old hooker, a Manly Marlins legend on Sydney’s club rugby scene, played Super Rugby with the Force and Waratahs as well as representing the USA on 24 occasions, including at the 2019 World Cup.

And the popular larrikin has long had a reputation for dastardly acts on the footy field.  

Speaking on Stan Sport’s Clubland with Wallabies legend Tim Horan, host Andrew Swain fought back fits of giggles as he questioned Hilterbrand over the incident in the Marlins’ 44-40 win over Eastwood.

As Woodies star Ratu Tuisese ran the ball off the back of a line-out, Hilterbrand could be seen feeding blades of grass to his opponent from Eastwood’s iconic home ground, TG Milner Field – which will be demolished to make way for units.

James Hilterbrand (pictured prior to representing the USA at the 2019 World Cup) has been busted feeding an opponent grass during a Shute Shield game in Sydney

The larrikin hooker, who plays for the Manly Marlins, said his opponent laughed the incident off as he fed him a bit of ‘garnish’

‘At the bottom of the ruck here, you [are] picking grass out of TG Milner and feeding it to him!’ Swain laughed.

‘They won’t get a chance to play there for too much longer so you’re trying to inject them with TG Milner?’

Hilterbrand didn’t attempt to hide his mischievous deed against the Woodies flanker, who he said ‘laughed’ if off. 

‘Just a little bit of garnish at the bottom of the ruck! The turf there is pretty nice, it’s actually pretty comfortable to get tackled on,’ the rake said.

Swain said it was certainly not the first time Hilterbrand had been caught making a nuisance out of himself. 

‘You’ve got a bit of a history with these things, I’ve seen you undo people’s shoelaces and headgear,’ he laughed. 

Described as a ‘serial pest’, the Adelaide native said he had made it his mission across his 10-year professional career to ensure he was as annoying as possible. 

Hilterbrand represented the Force (pictured) and Waratahs during a professional career that began 10 years ago 

The cheeky jokester admitted he wants to tie an opponent’s shoelaces together in a scrum before he retired

Though Hilterbrand revealed there was one particularly dastardly act he has his eye on before he retires. 

‘I’ve got few mentors when it comes to my antics. Dave Boylan and Damien Cummins [Manly teammates] are two of the top,’ he said.

‘We’ve set little goals for what we want to achieve by the end of our careers. 

‘None of us, though, have managed to be able to tie the shoelaces together. Obviously I’ve untied them but couldn’t quite get there.’ 

The Shute Shield continues this weekend, with Hilterbrand’s Marlins set to take on Norths, who have had an unbeaten start to the season.

Watch every Shute Shield, Super Rugby game and Test match, ad-free, live and on demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport.