Celebrating Rugby’s All-Time 10 Most Iconic Players

Posted by: lukwago J in Rugby August 1, 2023

Rugby is among the most popular sports played in almost every nation worldwide. There are many reasons why many love rugby. The rugby community is open and friendly. Rugby teams have the closest ties among other sport clubs.

Moreover, for many successful players, the sport also allowed them to feed their competitive streak. They have turned rugby into a career and contributed to their own club as they chase success in the rugby field.

Biggest Rugby Sport Leagues

Rugby is a world-famous sport with millions of fans around the globe. In every country, you can find dedicated sports leagues where the best rugby players showcase their talent and competence.

Some of the most popular rugby sports leagues include the National Rugby League (NRL), Premiership Rugby, Top 14, Super Rugby, Currie Cup, All Ireland League, and United Rugby Championship, among many others. With 28.6 million viewers, the NRL in Australia & New Zealand remains the most sought-after. Many fans are into NRL betting besides just watching the games.

Within these leagues, let’s name the ten most celebrated rugby players and discover how they became icons of the sport!

Will Jordan

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Will Jordan rose to fame as one of the most successful professional rugby players today. He plays for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and Tasman Mako in the Bunnings NPC. He has been playing as a fullback for these teams.

Jordan has also played for New Zealand All Blacks, South Island, and New Zealand U20. One of Jordan’s most notable awards is the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Award in 2021.

Freddie Steward

Hailing from East Dereham, Norfolk, England, Freddie Nicholas Overbury Steward is a prominent rugby player. He excels as a fullback, playing for Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership. In 2021, he proudly represented England in a match against the United States. Freddie’s rugby journey has also seen him play for Ampthill, England U20, and the England National Rugby Union Team.

In May 2022, Edward’s excellence in rugby was recognized with two major honors: the England Men’s Player of the Season and the Rugby Players’ Association Player’s Young Player of the Year.

Maro Itoje

The 28-year-old English professional rugby union player has three Six Nations Championship titles, three European Rugby Champions Cup titles, and five English Premiership titles with Saracens. Besides Saracens, Itoje has also played as a blindside flanker for England U18s, England U20s, England Saxons, England Men’s National Rugby Union Team, and British and Irish Lions.

He was a World Rugby Player of the Year nominee in 2016, 2017, and 2021 and was named the European Player of the Year in 2021.

Siya Kolisi

As a South African professional rugby union player, Siya Kolisi has received honors like being named in the New African magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential Africans. Kolisi also received the National Order of Ikhamanga from the South African Government in April 2023.

He plays as a loose forward for Sharks in the Curie Cup. Moreover, he played for Western Province, Stormers, South Africa U20, and South Africa National Rugby Union Team.

Lukhanyo Am

Lukhanyo Am is a 29-year-old professional rugby player from the Republic of South Africa who currently plays as a center and wing for Sharks in the Currie Cup. Am also played for Border Bulldogs, Falcons, Southern Kings, Kobelco Kobe Steelers, South Africa “A,” and the South Africa National Rugby Union Team.

Antione Dupont

Antione Depunt is a professional rugby player from Lannemezan, France. The 26-year-old scrum-half captains the French National Team. Moreover, Dupont plays the same role for the Toulouse of Top 14. Besides these teams, he has also played for other teams like Castres, France U20, French Barbarians, and France National Rugby Union Team.

Dupont won three Six Nations Player of the Championships and a World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year award, making him one of the most successful French rugby players of his time.

Romain Ntamack

Romain Ntamack is a 24-year-old French professional rugby union player from Toulouse, France. He plays a fly-half for the France National Team and Toulouse of the Top 14. His first win in Top 14 was the 2018-2019 title with the French club. In 2021, he also won the European Rugby Champions Cup double and the French championship.

Ntamack also played for France U20 and French Barbarians from 2017-2018. One of the biggest honors he has received was the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2019.

Tadhg Furlong

Born in Wexford, Ireland, Tadhg Furlong became one of the most iconic professional rugby players of his time. He currently plays for Leinster in the United Rugby Championship and the Ireland National Team as a prop. In addition, Furlong has played for Ireland U20 and British and Irish Lions. Furlong was a two-time World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year (2021 and 2022).

Ardie Savea

With his roots in Wellington, New Zealand, Ardie Suemalo Savea has become a prominent figure in rugby union. At the age of 29, he is a dynamic flanker, contributing to the success of Hurricanes in Super Rugby and Wellington in the Bunnings NPC. His remarkable talent extends to international rugby, where he proudly represents the All Blacks.

In addition, Savea played for Hurricanes, Kobelco Kobe Steelers, New Zealand U20, Barbarian F.C., and North Island. He has notably played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, representing New Zealand’s squad, and was nominated the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year.

Eben Etzebeth

Born in Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa, Eben Etzebeth became one of the most remarkable rugby players in South Africa and internationally. The 31-year-old professional rugby player currently plays as a lock or flanker in the Sharks. Moreover, Etzebeth also plays for the South Africa National Team.

Etzebeth also played for Western Province, Stormers, NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes, and Toulon for his senior career. He also participated in South Africa U20 in 2011.

Conclusion

Professional rugby players have a short career, averaging seven years. Rugby is a test of physical and mental strength, making it more challenging for players as they age. Additionally, injuries caused by the sport could lead to premature retirement. Nonetheless, these players still have many years left to impress rugby fans and continue making their country proud as they compete internationally.

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