He's not the Wolfman any more," grinned Anthony Watmough. "He's just a man." And now cleanly shaven Manly winger David Williams is a Kangaroo after he was a shock selection in Australia's 24-man squad for the World Cup.
As he walked across the road, Williams's teammates started howling from the top-floor apartment overlooking Manly Beach where they are still celebrating their grand final victory over the Storm.
But it's no longer relevant. On Monday night, the Sea Eagles' other winger, Michael Robertson, held Williams down and shaved off the beard that took nine months to grow and has made the rookie a cult hero this season.
"We just sheared him like a sheep," Watmough revealed. "It was quite funny. Robbo grabbed him and he just accepted it."
All that Williams could do was stand and giggle on the esplanade at Manly Beach as he, Watmough, lock Glenn Stewart and prop Josh Perry croaked to the media about being selected in Ricky Stuart's squad for the tournament that starts on October 26.
It might have something to do with the journey which has seen him go from a Parramatta discard, overcoming a bulging disc in his neck, shoulder and hand injuries, and a hamstring torn off the bone to World Cup squad member.
"I set a realistic goal to play three first-grade games this year," he said. "And I thought that was a good goal considering Brett Stewart would be on State of Origin duties. To see how many I've played, and where I am today, is beyond what I ever thought."
Asked why he had signed with the Sea Eagles when they had established wingers in Robertson and Michael Bani, he replied: "I don't think there was much of a decision. It was sign or go back to Hills [Bulls]. No disrespect to the Hills boys, because I love the boys there. Park footy or Manly: there was no real choice in the matter."
Williams's phone has been out of battery since the grand final, and it took Watmough, Stewart and Perry to convince him he had been selected.
Perry might have taken some convincing, too, given his resurrection. Just over a year ago, Newcastle coach Brian Smith told him he was no longer wanted at the Knights.
Did he have a message for his former coach? "No. Not at all. It's all good. Water under the bridge."
There was redemption for Watmough, too. He burst onto the rep scene in 2005 and then injury plagued him. His performance in last year's grand final made some selectors jittery about picking him in headline matches.
"You can never give up hope," Watmough said. "You go into every year trying to make yourself better. The thoughts and doubts creep in there a little bit but you just have to keep pushing harder."
Stewart has almost lost his voice from the two days of celebrating but he has also lost his brother Brett.
"I haven't said anything to him, he's gone MIA. I'm trying to track him down," he squeaked. "To be playing alongside him is just unreal - sorry about the voice - it's a credit to our team and our coaching staff. I never thought I was a definite chance. It helps being in a winning side, so we probably have to thank my teammates as well."
The only downside of the selections was it prevents the squad members from continuing the party in Las Vegas, where they were headed later this month. Maybe they won't need it. Asked how many drinks he'd had yesterday morning, all Williams could do was giggle again.
"Not enough," he laughed. THE KANGAROOS Terry Campese (Canberra), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith), Michael Crocker (Melbourne),
Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters), Israel Folau (Melbourne),
Paul Gallen (Cronulla), Kurt Gidley (Newcastle), Justin Hodges (Brisbane),
Greg Inglis (Melbourne), Brent Kite (Manly), Anthony Laffranchi (Gold Coast),
Darren Lockyer (c, Brisbane), Joel Monaghan (Canberra), Josh Perry (Manly),
Steve Price (NZ Warriors), Scott Prince (Gold Coast), Billy Slater (Melbourne),
Cam Smith (Melbourne), Brett Stewart (Manly), Glenn Stewart (Manly),
Brent Tate (NZ Warriors), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland),
Anthony Watmough (Manly), David Williams (Manly)
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