Lawrence Dallaglio: George Smith (Australia)
The scourge of the Lions at the age of 20 and more than 100 caps to his name for the Wallabies before he was 30. An absolute pest and nuisance at the breakdown.
DALLAGLIO SAID: “The pioneering, definitive breakdown specialist in the professional era who combined dexterity and ferocity to slow down and steal opposition ball. There were more strings to his bow, though, because he had good hands and could kick. Incredible longevity too.”
Embed from Getty ImagesJason Robinson: Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
Has one man ever done more to popularise the game of rugby than Jonah? When he burst onto the scene at the 1995 World Cup, it was like a meteor landing from outer space.
ROBINSON SAID: “He was built like a forward. When you play nearly seven years in rugby league and 10 in rugby union, but he was completely different. He didn’t just traumatize players, he traumatized teams. He was about 18 stone, he could run as fast as any winger and he had a sidestep.”
Jonah Lomu Facts:
- He weighed 120 kg and was 1.96 metres tall, but could run 100 metres in 10.8 seconds
- In 1996, McDonald’s New Zealand named a burger after Lomu
- He’s the only rugby player ever to feature on the front cover of TIME magazine
- According to the Telegraph, Leeds were ready to make a third bid to attract All Blacks giant Jonah Lomu to England in 2001
- He played 63 tests as an All Black, scoring 37 tries
- In 2001 he helped New Zealand win the Rugby World Cup Sevens.