Cosmetic dentistry was not necessary for an Australian rugby player who lost a tooth in a particularly vicious game this weekend.

Nathan Sharpe, who plays for the Wallabies, had the tooth knocked out by centre Jaque Fourie as he made a tackle at the game in Brisbane.

The South African, who has been playing for seven years, kicked his opponent in the mouth with the back of his boot, but Sharpe continued to play, even with the gap in his mouth.

ESPNscrum.com, part of sports media company ESPN, has described Sharpe as “outstanding” and “consistently excellent”.

Six ground staff members searched the field after full-time and were able to find the missing molar, allowing the Australian player to take it to his dentist and have it reinserted, which may have saved him the need for cosmetic dentistry such as tooth implants.

The Australian team went on to win the match 30-13, despite their captain’s injury.