Highlanders centre Malakai Fekitoa will feature in The Body Issue of ESPN The Magazine.

All 23 of the featured athletes appear naked, with some discreetly-placed sporting equipment or considered camera angles to complete the picture.

'I worked really hard with my body to get it right,' Fekitoa told ESPN. 'I want to show others that you can achieve anything in what you do if you put your mind to it and your body.'

Other athletes featured, include tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, basketballer Isaiah Thomas and American footballer Ezekiel Elliott.