Will Genia

The many spectacular moments in Will Genia's playing career are enough proof of how great a rugby player he is. The Papua New Guinea-born athlete is famous for his speed, excellent decision-making, and incomparable ball-passing skills. He's widely known today as his generation's best scrum-halves.

Will was first introduced to the world of rugby when he moved to Australia at 12 years old. He transferred to GPS Rugby from a school team before finally getting recruited by the Queensland Reds. With the latter, the athlete was able to experience his first state cap – Will has 110 international caps in his arsenal48 today!

 

Julian Savea

When Julian Savea earned himself a fifth place on the list of top Kiwi test try-scorers at 2012's All Blacks against Ireland match, his parents back home in Miramar, New Zealand, couldn't help but be proud. It wasn't long ago when their child was an aspiring rugby player who idolized the late Jonah Lomu.

At the 2015 Rugby World Cup, this gifted rugby player's eight tries made him achieve the record once set by his idol. Under-20s coach Dave Rennie nicknamed him "The Bus," and rightfully so. Data shows a running Julian equals the kinetic energy of a 10-tonne bus traveling at three kilometers per hour!

 

Scott Quinnell

It's not surprising that Scott Quinnell would end up playing rugby since his father, godfather, and two brothers were all professional rugby union players. Inevitable as it may have been, that's not saying Scott didn't enjoy playing the sport. When the budding athlete got the offer of a lifetime from Leeds and Wigan, Scott chose the latter because they'd recently won the World Club Challenge.

After a short stint with the league, the athlete returned to the union in 1996, joining Richmond. Sadly, the Wales native's playing career was plagued by different ailments - double hernia, rheumatoid arthritis, and damage to his knees, which made Scott retire early.

 

Robert Howley

Robert Howley is often called a "player's player" since he can always be relied on by teammates. The athlete brought Wales honor right from his debut when he played against the England team in 1996.

Robert was awarded "Welsh Player of the Year" in 1996 and 1997 because of the skills he demonstrated on the field. During his active career, he played for Bridgend, Cardiff, and Wasps. Robert was also selected to be part of the 1997 British Lions tour in South Africa. Regrettably, the rugby star announced his retirement in 2004 after he suffered from a wrist injury.

 

Gary Teichmann

It's one thing to be famous for your athletic skills, and it's quite another to be known for your fair play and humility; having both makes Gary Teichmann indeed a one-of-a-kind athlete. The Zimbabwe-born player holds the record for the number of years he led his Springbok rugby team and leading them to a record-breaking 17 consecutive Test victories.

Gary is widely considered South Africa's most successful rugby captain of all time today. Sadly in 1999, the Springbok's coach dropped him from the team before 1999's Rugby World Cup. As a result, the team lost, and Gary moved to Wales instead.

 

Will Greenwood

When ranking the greatest rugby players in England, Will Greenwood's name always makes it to the list. The former center player plied his trade for the Harlequins and Leicester Tigers, winning countless accolades with both teams.

Will's most significant highlight from his career is when he won the World Cup with England in 2003. The sports star hung his boots in 2006 and has since worked as a television analyst for rugby games and writing for the Daily Telegraph, often giving his opinion on the England national team. In 2020, Will also took up a new post as the Chief Customer Officer of Afiniti, a software company.

 

Juan-Martin Fernandez-Lobbe

Known for his skill in regaining the ball whenever his team might lose it, Juan-Martin Fernandez-Lobbe is an all-rounded rugby player who's a joy to watch. The back row player has been part of several teams from his native Argentina to Europe. While he was with the Pumas, the Argentina national team, he captained them through two World Cups.

Despite being in his late 30s, Juan-Martin doesn't seem like retiring anytime soon, and he currently plays for Toulon in France. Safe to say, the star still has some sporting years left in him and considering his success and experience, any team would be happy to have Juan.

 

Joe Rokocoko

Joe Rokocoko is a famous rugby player who raked in an impressive 46 tries during his illustrious playing career, making him the second-highest try scorer in New Zealand. Of course, one doesn't achieve such levels of success without sheer hard work, and Joe epitomizes that.

The winger mainly played for teams in New Zealand like the Blues and Auckland before overseas games lured him to France to turn out for Racing 92. While he is now retired, Joe is undoubtedly among the greatest players of all time, and it will take some doing to break the records he set.

 

Bakkies Botha

From playing for Springboks in his native South Africa to winning the World Cup with the national team, Bakkies Botha's rise to the top has been sensational. Nicknamed 'The Enforcer' because of his physically aggressive style of play, Bakkies managed to win three European Cups with Toulon in France.

The formidable athlete was respected and feared by opponents and teammates in equal measure, and whenever Bakkies' name was on a team sheet, everyone knew not to mess with him. As a result, the South African is widely considered among the sport's all-time greats, and going by his trophy-laden career, it's easy to see why.

 

Thierry Dusautoir

When it comes to iconic gameplays in a rugby World Cup match, we don't think there's anyone who tops Thierry Dusautoir's performance at the 2007 playoffs. During France versus New Zealand's game, Thierry made a colossal 38 tackles while also scoring a try in the French team's win- An awe-inspiring feat!

Thierry is world-famous for his ball carrying skills, and spectacular, powerful tackles, making him an irreplaceable asset in all the teams he played for. The player has made his mark in the sport as the best tackler globally, and it will be interesting to see who can beat his record-setting statistics.

 

 

Adam Jones

Hailing from Wales, we have Adam Jones, who makes a worthy appearance on our list. This man's accolades are more than enough to command respect even from opposing teams and their fans. Adam is one of those players who were set out to conquer the rugby world from the get-go.

Firstly, Adam is widely believed to have been an elemental figure in three Grand Slam-winning teams. He was the scrum for all three, and we must say the gameplay footage from those matches speaks for itself. On the other hand, Adam also brilliantly performed in two Lions tours where he was the test tight-end.

 

Brodie Retallick

It's incredible to think of this lad's future prospects, considering he's only 27 years old and has achieved so much. After all, most of Brodie Retallick's peers were well into their 30's before gaining any proper recognition.

After managing to get first-team selection for his national team, this immensely popular rugby player has had a sensational run. Brodie currently has 69 Tests under his belt, and the All Blacks are more than happy to have him around. He's the kind of player most people tend to overlook, but the star sportsman's efforts say it all.

 

Conrad Smith

Another New Zealander to make it onto this list is Conrad Smith. If you are a fan of the sport, we're pretty sure you must have spotted the agile fellow by now. The man is nicknamed 'The Snake' after all, and such titles don't come easy.

Conrad is a cornerstone figure in the All Blacks midfield mainly due to his fluid gameplay. His hawk-eye vision and critical passing skills are worthy of the title. Whenever he's on the field, anything can happen. Everyone from the cameramen to the spectators is glued to his superfast play. As for Conrad's opponents, they might need to consult some opticians for help.

 

Scott Smith

The younger generation might not know about Scott Gibbs, but we genuinely think they ought to. During his tenure as an active rugby player, Scott was not your average sportsman, and it's always fantastic to revisit his exploits.

Scott had a life-changing moment in 1999 when he scored the winning try against his team's bitter rivals, England, in Wembley. It was a moment worthy of international recognition that earned him admiration and respect both from his teammates and opponents. Though it might sound like a small feat to some, beating your rivals in any sport is no walk in the park.

 

Percy Montgomery

When Percy Montgomery moved to Newport in 2002, most people figured this was his retirement plan. Surprisingly the elite player ended up pulling a reverse UNO by reigniting his international career.

This spark of brilliance turned into a full-blown flame at the 2007 World Cup, where Percy became the highest score in the computation. That says a lot about the man's skill and possible underestimation. It's almost as if Percy needed the negative energy to thrive, and looking at his games, we are wondering who would underestimate the legend. We have a feeling the SpringBoks will never forget him now.

 

Johnny Sexton

The name Johnny Sexton always brings a smile to the Irish. He's the reason why the Irish team has been steadily gaining momentum in recent years across all competitions. On the other hand, the Leinster also has nothing but glowing praise for their excellent fly-half.

Johnny is one of those players who're willing to go all out for their team no matter what. His gameplay style even boosts his fellow teammates since they always strive to match his pace. Due to his invaluable performance on the field, Johnny has managed to grab no less than 76 caps during his time in the green jersey.

 

Sam Whitelock

At just 29 years of age, Sam Whitelock has 100 caps to his name, making him one of the most prolific and influential players of his generation. Sam's combination with Brodie Retallick has seen the two become legendary behemoths in the sport.

While playing for the Kiwis, Sam has managed to amass three figures against the Wallabies, which is quite an extraordinary achievement. Moreover, the All Blacks credit him with most of their success in recent years. That's saying a lot, especially since the New Zealand team is one of the most competitive in the world.

 

Justin Marshall

As far as eccentric and electrifying performances go, Justin Marshall is a cut above the rest. When it came to trash-talking, no one could beat the player. He knew just how to instigate and shake his opponents with only a few carefully chosen words to throw them off their game.

Surprisingly, the fellow was not all talk as he could also always back it up. We honestly believe that's the main reason Justin was respected and revered across the board. The celebrated athlete went on to have a highly decorated career with the All Blacks and Ospreys. He achieved a phenomenal 81-cap test career for the former.

 

Matt Giteau

Very few players have talent like the great Matt Giteau. The Australian national was a fluid player that could comfortably and competently play in three positions. Be it the scrum-half, fly-half, or the center, Matt was up to the challenge.

He had a fantastic test career that had many people thinking he'd retire after winning three European cups with Toulon, but the pundits called it too soon. A few years later, Matt was in the 2015 World Cup, crushing his opponents with reckless abandon. Quite unsurprisingly, he is still actively breaking records in the Japanese circuit.

 

Jason Robinson

The 1990s and 2000s were great periods for the sport since Jason Robinson was a dual-code international rugby player back then. Both as a wing and a fullback, it was glorious to see him on the field. With 51 rugby union international caps under his belt, Jason was a force to reckon with.

Highly regarded for his speed and acceleration, the formidable athlete was a nightmare for his opponent defenders. Jason's side-step was feared by some of the best players of his time. By the end of his career, this gifted player had created a legacy for himself that remains hard to match.

 

George Smith

Australian rugby union player George Smith was the superstar of ACT Brumbies. He is credited with 142 caps, which not many players in the world can boast of even today. Beginning his illustrious test career against France, George simply continued to excel and never looked back.

Apart from his exceptional gameplay, the athlete's iconic dreadlocks also made him stand out in the field. George later sold them for charity intended for young cancer patients. His outstanding contribution in the field of rugby has earned him a Member of the Order of Australia, the highest civilian honor in the country.

 

Alun Wyn Jones

He is the world's most capped rugby union player and current captain of the Welsh team, who also plays for the Ospreys. He's one of the best locks both teams have ever seen and one of only four players to be selected for four British and Irish Lion Tours, meet Alun Wyn Jones.

In 2019 Alun was declared the best player of the Six Nations Championship. For his outstanding contribution to the game of Rugby, he even got honored with the OBE. After achieving so much within a short span in his thriving career, Alun's name has already gone down in golden letters in sports history.

 

Sam Warburton

The career of a fantastic player coming to an end often seems like a devastating loss. Such was the sinking feeling when Sam Warburton's retired. The Welsh International rugby union player used to be the blue-eyed boy of the Cardiff Blues who alternated between openside and blindside flanker.

When Sam was declared the captain of the Welsh team, sports lovers agreed that he was highly deserving of the charge. Following this, he was also named the Wales captain for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and fans knew the team was in good hands. Proving everyone right, Sam holds the record for the most caps as Welsh captain.

 

Doug Howlett

Doug Howlett was both a wing and a fullback, but above all, he was one of the greatest rugby players of his generation. The former athlete has played for Auckland, Highlanders, Hurricanes, and Blues in Super Rugby. He also holds the record for the seventh-highest try-scorer in the history of the sport.

Apart from excelling in the game himself, Doug even established The Doug Howlett Outreach Foundation to support New Zealand children who show potential in the field and academics. That’s the way a sportsman not only leaves a legacy behind but also helps future generations prepare for greatness.

 

Stephen Larkam

Stephen Larkam is presently employed as the senior coach for the Irish rugby team Munster and was among the leading athletes of his time. The former player is considered one of the greatest flyhalves and gained a massive fan following due to his graceful style on the field.

During his stint at the Australian rugby team, Stephen was considered the second most influential athlete among his peers. In his 12-year long international career, this footballer led his squad to victory in several matches. Thanks to his strategic thinking prowess Stephen was roped in as an assistant coach for Brumbies in 2010.

 

Gethin Jenkins

Former rugby star Gethin Jenkins is the only Wales player to have received the maximum number of caps for the team. Among the many highlights in his 15 years career, Gethin's most significant moment was the 2005 Six Nations Championship when he scored the first try against Ireland, making quite an impact.

The footballer established himself as one of the finest loosehead props over the years, leading his squad to victory over England in 2013. Unfortunately, in 2018 Gethin announced his retirement from the game due to a recurring knee injury.

 

Richard Hill

This former rugby player was a highly skilled footballer who played for the Saracens and England. Also known as the Silent Assassin, Richard Hill was famous for his practical and sharp style of forward-play. Unfortunately, at the peak of his career, he was forced to retire early due to a knee injury.

Despite Richard's short-lived stint on the field, the athlete has an impressive record on the field. He played an essential role in helping his team defeat Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup despite suffering from a hamstring injury that year. Last we heard, Richard was appointed as a manager for the National Rugby Team.

 

Schalk Burger

South African rugby union footballer Schalk Burger has won 86 caps for his home country and won the player of the year title twice in South Africa. Ever since his debut in 2003 at the Rugby World Cup, the flanker has managed to win the hearts of rugby fans globally for his solid performances in several championships.

Schalk suffered a dramatic neck injury at the peak of his career, which almost ended his time on the field. Nevertheless, the athlete returned to the game with a bang after successful surgery and led his team to victory against England in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

 

Lawrence Dallaglio

Born in London, Lawrence Dallaglio started his sports journey with Staines RFC, a local club, before becoming a professional rugby player. He would later turn a family tragedy into motivation to build up his career and win 85 caps for England.

Lawrence, a prime member of the London Wasps, helped his team to achieve victory at the Rugby World Cup in 2003. Today, he's among the handful of players who have won both the Sevens World Cup and the Rugby World Cup. This former rugby footballer also stayed loyal to the Wasps, playing for the same team throughout his career.

 

John Smit

Johan William Smit was the 50th captain of the South African team. Since his high school days when he played for the school team, the former athlete was an outstanding leader. As a brilliant hooker, John's gameplay led his team to win the Rugby World Cup under his exceptional guidance.

His outstanding performance is clearly evident through John's 111 appearances making him the most-capped South African player. Unfortunately, an injury broke his record-breaking streak. Yet even that didn't stop John from returning as the national side captain and setting an example for many future players.

 

Zinzan Brooke

Zinzan Valentine Brooke was the former number eight player for the New Zealand rugby union football team. The gifted athlete's prowess inspired his teammates and even influenced many opposing players through his outstanding performance as the Auckland Blues captain.

Zinzan's excellent running and kicking skills helped earned him fame and recognition. Though by 1997, he decided it was time to retire from the International Rugby Union. Moving to England, Zinzan joined the Harlequins and in a few years, began coaching the team. Clearly a lifelong rugby devotee, Zinzan is still active in the sport, though he's now part of the Amateur Rugby Union in England.

 

 

David Pocock

Blessed with remarkable athletic abilities, David Pocock debuted with the Force, giving a stellar performance. Primarily an openside flanker, this former Australian rugby union professional player later proved his versatility as the vice-captain of the Brumbies in Super Rugby.

David, who's also a recipient of the John Eales Medal, is now a tireless activist. After a brilliant sports career, the retired athlete prefers spending his time raising awareness about conservation measures. Fans often spot the handsome David at various campaigns, advocating for new measures against climate change and marriage equality.

 

Kieran Read

Rugged, tall, and handsome, this former New Zealand rugby union number has 11 successful years in the game, with 127 tests, scoring 26 tries as a flanker. Looking back on his childhood days when his mother first started his formal training living in a small town, Kieran Read's achievements seem unbelievable.

The former All Black captain's eventual retirement was a disheartening moment for his fans. After captaining his team through 52 matches, he preferred opting for a quieter life. During the Queen's 2020 birthday celebrations, Kieran was honored by her Majesty for his indelible services to Rugby.

 

Paul O'Connell

You can't talk about Irish Rugby without mentioning the legend, Paul O' Connell, Ireland's third most-capped player. During his career, he proved his leadership and has captained Munster, British & Irish Lions, and the Ireland team. With his skills, O'Connell drove the national club to bag the historic 2008 Six Nations victory and helped the Munster win the Heineken Cup twice.

Sadly, O'Connell announced his retirement in 2015 after an unfortunate injury that ruled him out of the World Cup quarter-finals. Still, the athlete doesn't wish to sever ties from the sport just yet and continues to provide his valuable contribution as a coach.

 

Victor Matfield

Victor Matfield has had a stellar career, captaining both Springboks and Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup. He is considered one of the best locks of his time and was crowned the IRB player of the Rugby World Cup in 2007. Still, despite his outstanding performance, Matfield experienced his fair share of disappointments.

In the Fed to the Lions documentary, Matfield concedes that after Springboks coach Peter de Villiers failed to make him part of the 2008 World Cup, he left South Africa and played for France. They eventually sorted out their differences and led the team to victory against the British & Irish Lions in 2009.

 

George Gregan

Australia's highest ever internationally capped player George Gregan is a legend in his own right. He has captained his team to victory in the Bledisloe Cup in 2002 and has championed four World Cups. Gregan is also credited as one of the founding Brumbies players and was inducted into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame in 2009, then the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2013.

After his retirement, Gregan became the assistant coach for the Brumbies and a commentator for Fox Sports. Currently, he is focused on the business started by his wife Erica in 1997 under the brand label The Gregan Group.

 

Bryan Habana

IRB 2007 Player of the Year Bryan Habana has had a successful and engaging career in several major championships, including the Currie Cup and the World Cup. As one of South Africa's best wingers, Habana has been part of major teams, including the Blue Bulls, Stormers, and Toulon in France.

Even after retiring in 2018, the former athlete remained busy in his punditry and ambassadorial duties. In addition, Habana set up the Bryan Habana Foundation to give a face to his philanthropic avenues as a means of paying forward what he gained through the sport.

 

Martin Johnson

English legend Martin Johnson is known as one of the nation's greatest players. So much so that he was hailed into the IRB Wall of Fame in 2011 alongside many other legendary champions.

Johnson holds a vivacious charisma over his audience that exudes beyond his matches, winning him essential contracts. One of which includes becoming the official ambassador for Land Rover. To continue his legacy in the sport, he was appointed as England's team manager and has led them to several victories. Admittedly, Johnson has felt the weight of his new position in the games, but we have faith he can push through with his zeal and determination.

 

Jonny Wilkinson

Jonathan Peter Wilkinson's career began as an inside center at Newcastle School of Rugby. With enough experience and determination, he finally debuted in the World Cup in 1999 and scored one try against Italy. Jonny was not even twenty at that time.

Jonny won his first cup against Ireland and became England's second-youngest player; he narrowly missed the record held by Harlequin Collins. Aside from being recognized as one of the best rugby players, Jonny is also remembered for his crucial contribution to England's win in the World Cup in 2003. He kicked a drop goal in extra time that edged out Australia in a thrilling tournament finale.

 

John Eales

In the Australian rugby world, former union player John Eales is considered the most successful captain. Eales led the national team into winning the World Cup twice. His resilience and hard work earned him several titles, including the famous nickname ''Nobody''.

His teammates gave him the name as an adage to the phrase ''nobody is perfect'' because of Eales' on-point performance in the field. As it turns out, he had always been an all-around sportsman, but rugby was one of his focused talents. Eales retired in 2001 as the most capped lock with 84 Test appearances in that position.

 

Shane Williams

Welsh player Shane Williams is most famous for his long and impressive tenure as a wing for the Ospreys and the Wales national team. Although doubted for his height when he started his career, Williams proved his critics wrong and went on to become one of rugby's greatest wingers.

In 2008, Williams gave his best performance and was named World Rugby Player of the Year. He suffered from many injuries throughout the years, but the determined athlete always bounced back to wow fans. Williams' contributions to the sport did not go unnoticed, and he was welcomed into the World Rugby Wall of Fame in 2016.

 

Tim Horan

Born Timothy James Horan, Tim is currently known as an excellent commentator for Fox Sports Australia and Stan Sport, but before that, he was one impressive rugby player. He even had a role in Australia's 1999 Rugby World Cup victory, where he was named Player of the Tournament!

Known for his incredible attacking prowess, it's no surprise how the former athlete became one of the world's best centers in the '90s. Horan's reliability on the field led the national team to several wins making him part of the small group of players who won the World Cup multiple times.

 

Sergio Parisse

Sergio Matteo Parisse took after his father's footsteps and entered the world of amateur rugby before he turned 20. We can safely say that sports run in his veins as he has many good titles under his belt to boast. He made the highest number of appearances in the World Cup under Italy's team and is currently the third most capped in the world.

Though Parisse spent most of his career in Italy and even captained the national team in 2019, the sought-after athlete is now a Toulon player. He's also had a successful career with Stade Francais before moving to his current team.

 

Jonah Lomu

The late Jonah Lomu first came into the limelight in 1994, when he became the youngest ever All Black to participate in an international match at the age of 19. Lomu would then go on to achieve global status as a rugby superstar, finishing his international career with an intimidating 37 tries in 63 caps.

The scoring impact Lomu had on any team he played for was self-evident. In 1995, he single-handedly scored four tries in a memorable semi-final against England. The incredible winger was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007 and the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011.

 

Brian O' Driscoll

Regarded as one of the greatest rugby players of all time, Brian O' Driscoll is more or less synonymous with breaking records. He holds the Six Nation record for most tries with a stunning 26 tries and is a three-time player of the tournament in the Six Nations Championship.

The living rugby Legend is also one of the most consistent in the game. His impressive 141 test caps place him as the fourth most capped player in the history of the Rugby Union. Brian was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2016 and presently works as a rugby analyst for ITV Sport.

 

Dan Carter

Dan Carter made his test debut in 2003 and instantly showed promising potential. Today the New Zealand rugby legend is regarded by many as the greatest fly-half the game ever had. Dan is the leading points scorer in the history of international rugby with a staggering 1598 points from 112 caps.

In 2015, the rugby maestro won the International Rugby Board Player of the Year for the third time, equalling Richie McCaw's record. Fans will remember Dan primarily for his performance against Australia in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final. He scored four penalties and two tries, eventually winning the man of the match award.

Christian Cullen

Christian Cullen, nicknamed the Paekakariki Express, ranks as the 9th highest try-scorer, with 46 tries in 58 tests. With such remarkable speed, no one could stop him from being the most potent fullback player in the New Zealand rugby union team.

Sadly, Christina's last matches were blighted with injuries, limiting his appearances until he had to take the final step of retiring from rugby and starting his own business. This leading try-scorer has chosen a new game in the next half of his life. Christina's new role as a leading property businessman has undoubtedly surprised the sporting world. Though we're happy to report the former athlete is thriving even there.

 

Richie McCaw

Richie McCaw will go down in history as one of the most influential rugby players of all time. A true legend and a born leader, he was a great asset to the All Blacks, earning a record 131 wins for the team. Considering his stunning gameplay, it's not surprising that he won two Rugby World Cups and three World Rugby Player of the Year Awards during his professional career.

Fans were greatly saddened when he confirmed his retirement in 2015 after a professional career spanning over 14 years. Yet, he left the field with a bang, scoring the World Rugby Player of the Decade Award in 2021, for his massive contribution to the game.