Top 10 Greatest Rugby Players of All Time
A perfectly timed offload, a bone-rattling tackle, a sidestep that sends defenders into early retirement... some players don't just play rugby, they define it. This list celebrates the legends of the Rugby Union field, from mud-smeared matches in the 19th century to the high-speed, high-stakes clashes of the modern game. These are the warriors who've turned test matches into history lessons and inspired millions to lace up their boots.
It doesn't matter if they were brutal in the scrum or poetry in motion out wide. These are the names that have echoed across stadiums from Twickenham to Eden Park. They're the ones who made you cheer, curse, or maybe both in the same breath. Now it's your turn to weigh in.
Who belongs at the very top? Who rewrote the rules just by playing the game their way? Scroll through, relive the highlights, and cast your vote.
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Brian O'Driscoll
A legend and an honor and privilege to have been able to witness his sublime talents.
The most wicked sidestep ever.
The greatest center of all time easily and probably the best player of all time.
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Richie McCaw
Where do we start? Two-time World Cup-winning captain in 2011 and 2015, he also played in 2003 and 2007. Named World Rugby Player of the Year three times, in 2006, 2009, and 2010, McCaw was a breakdown master, super athlete, and inspirational leader. He had a remarkable ability to talk referees onto his side and was one of the most durable All Black players ever.
McCaw captained the All Blacks in 110 out of his 148 test matches. He holds the record of the most capped test rugby player of all time.
The definition of greatness is Richie McCaw. The man isn't human. Has Brian O'Driscoll led Ireland to two World Cup wins? He couldn't even beat the All Blacks. McCaw has won everything possible to have won... with Canterbury, Crusaders, and All Blacks. Enough said.
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Jonah Lomu
Despite Lomu's undoubted talents, he was really just a freak at a time when rugby was not used to it. Nowadays, defenses are so much better, and he would not be anything like as effective. He did, however, change the game forever, and more specifically, what it meant to be a winger in the professional age. Without him, there would be no Savea, North, Stockdale, etc.
He is not the best ever rugby player though. Stick the ball behind him or double up, and he struggled - as the South Africans showed on many occasions.
Some of these names in this top 10 are a joke, like BOD at #1. Jonah Lomu was a true superstar when the game needed one.
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Dan Carter
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Michael Jones
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David Campese
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Gareth Edwards
Gareth Edwards was the greatest rugby player of all time, from the greatest rugby side that there has ever been. The devastating raw toughness and skill of the 1970s team would beat any rugby nation at the time. Wales is the most formidable nation not to win the World Cup.
No one will match the skill of Gareth Edwards. He could do anything with a rugby ball - genius!
Gareth Edwards is a player ahead of his time. He had good ball sense and a great rugby mind to boot. He is the greatest player of all time and the star of the '74 Lions - the best team of all time too.
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Martin Johnson
Martin Johnson was a great rugby player and England manager for ages. He also had quality for Leicester Tigers and won the World Cup as England captain.
One of rugby's best ever and, for me, England's best player ever. He always did the hardest jobs on the park.
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Carlos Spencer
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Paul O'Connell
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Zinzan Brooke
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Sean Fitzpatrick
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Percy Montgomery
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Bryan Habana
The fastest rugby player ever and a great try scorer for the Springboks. The best try scorer in the Rugby World Cup.
Bryan Habana holds the fastest 100-meter run by any Springboks rugby player. He beats recent speedsters Cheslin Kolbe and Sbu Nkosi to this honor.
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Serge Blanco
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Rupeni Caucaunibuca
Too fast for his own good.
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Willie John McBride
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Jonny Wilkinson
By far the best rugby player of all time.
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Naas Botha
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Hugo Porta
Hugo Porta, in addition to his stylish manner, changed forever the way to kick the rugby ball.
Not a surprise he was excellent at football (soccer) and close to having a contract with Boca Juniors.
Best fly-half of the amateur era. Singlehandedly won games for Argentina against the top nations in the world.
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David Pocock
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Danie Gerber
The best centre ever. Period. Just compare his speed, strength, sidestep, and forward thinking to any other player ever. Look at the various positions and situations from where he scored. He CREATED tries like no one else. He read the situation. And he finished like no other. Taking into account the few opportunities he had due to isolation and what he achieved nevertheless, there can be NO DOUBT that he was the greatest back-line player ever to have played the game.
This guy is a legend. The best centre with the most natural talent ever. Campese might have been slightly better (a winger), but if Danie had had the opportunity to play in as many tests as Campo, I reckon he would have held the record for most test tries scored. I loved watching him play.
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Schalk Burger
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Kieran Read
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Stuart Hogg
The greatest player to ever step foot on Murrayfield in a Scotland jersey.
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George North
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Aaron Smith
Consistently better than everyone else throughout his career, Smith has stayed at the top as one of two or three of the best halfbacks in the world. Vote for the man, people!