But Highlanders loose forward and soon-to-be dental surgeon Christian Lio-Willie prefers to do it in more sterile conditions, with a local anaesthetic and special pliers.
"Now I’ve got all the skills to take teeth out, painlessly," he joked.
The 23-year-old Samoan Aucklander said he started out studying health sciences at the University of Otago five years ago, in the hope of going into physiotherapy.
It was a sensible idea for the rugby-mad teen, but when it came time to apply for physiotherapy, he changed tack and decided to study dentistry instead.
"I saw that there was a need in Samoan health and that there wasn’t much Samoan representation in that field.
"So I thought maybe I’d just give it a crack and see if I liked it, and I haven’t looked back since.
"It’s the best decision I ever made — 100%. It’s like doing a trade, but with more micro-skills in the mouth and you get to interact with different people."
While studying, his rugby career has also kicked off.
While playing club rugby for Kaikorai RFC in Dunedin, he was selected to play for Otago and was recently signed by the Highlanders.
Like doctors on a golf course, he said he has started getting a lot of inquiries from fellow rugby players about oral ailments.
"It’s had a really positive effect on how they look at their oral health."
Asked if it was a difficult choice, choosing between pursuing rugby or dentistry, he said "either way is pretty good".
Now that he has his degree, he plans to pursue his love of rugby for at least the next decade, while working part time as a dentist to keep his skills in hand.
"I wanted to tick off my degree so that I’d have something to fall back on after rugby. Now it’s all falling into place."
Mr Lio-Willie was disappointed Covid had forced the postponement of his official graduation today, but was pleased to be joining a small group of Pacific Island graduands at the Pacific Island Centre instead for an unofficial graduation ceremony with family and friends this morning.
He will officially graduate in May next year.
