Jonny Wilkinson named his toughest opponent, he didn't hesitate
Yesterday at 09:17 AM
RUCK takes a look at who legendary Jonny Wilkinson has selected as the players he most hated playing against during his stellar career.
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The legendary fly-half, who won a 97 caps for England and the British & Irish Lions between 1998 and 2011, went toe-to-toe with some of the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of boots during his stellar career.
DID YOU KNOW? Wilkinson followed Buddhist principles and teachings to help control his perfectionist tendencies, according to an interview he gave with The Times newspaper in 2009
#5.Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
Lomu’s one of a kind and the impression he left on so many lives while playing for the All Blacks was vividly illustrated by the reaction to his death in November 2015.
WILKINSON SAID: “One of the most recognisable characters in World Rugby and a man who sparked fear in the eyes of opposition defences. The guy is quite a remarkable rugby legend and deserves to be so. No list would be complete without him."
DID YOU KNOW? Lomu scored seven tries during the 1995 World Cup and added a further eight in 1999
#4.Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
Holds the Six Nations record for most tries with 26 and was chosen Player of the Tournament in the 2006, 2007 and 2009, leading Ireland to one Grand Slam and three Triple Crowns. Europe's finest.
WILKINSON SAID: "The ability to change the game in a second, a heartbeat, with his movement, with his skill, his game reading but also his leadership."
DID YOU KNOW? O'Driscoll is the all-time Irish try scorer and has led his country more times than any other player
#3.Bakkies Botha (South Africa)
WILKINSON SAID:"Someone incredibly fierce but very very down to earth" and "at times he's exactly what a team needs," according to Wilkinson.
DID YOU KNOW? Botha is regularly listed in ‘greatest ever’ sides and coach Bernard Laporte said he was the greatest player he ever coached
#2. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Lifting the 2011 World Cup in his backyard was a fitting tribute to one of the greatest ever All Blacks, but he went on to secure true legendary status as he continued for four more years, breaking record after record and uniquely hoisting the Webb Ellis trophy for a second time.
WILKINSON SAID: “"A guy that stood the test of time and has remained at the best, the highest level of the game for that time. Finishing second best was never an option.”
DID YOU KNOW? McCaw led his country to World Cup glory in 2011 and 2015
#1. Christophe Dominici(France)
Dominici played 67 times for his country and won the French championship five times with Stade Français before retiring in 2008. In recent years he had worked as a pundit for French radio and TV before his death in 2020.
WILKINSON SAID: “His opportunism, his flair, his game reading, his sheer explosivity to really change a game is something that sticks in my memory."
DID YOU KNOW? Dominci appeared in three World Cups for his country in 1999, 2003 and 2007, scoring eight tries over that time.
Can you name the entire British & Irish Lions squad from their tour of New Zealand in 2005?
The British & Irish Lions’ tour of New Zealand in 2005 remains one of the most talked-about campaigns in rugby history.
Despite facing a formidable All Blacks side, the squad was packed with legendary talent representing England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
From unforgettable tries to moments of controversy, this tour had it all—and it's time to see just how much you remember!
Can you recall every player who pulled on the famous red jersey during that iconic tour? Dive into this quiz to test your Lions knowledge and relive a piece of rugby history!
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