"He was also really fleet-footed" - Jonah Lomu ranked his four toughest opponents

Thursday, 13 May 2021 at 20:16

byRugby Rucker

All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu ranked some of his toughest opponents from his stellar career.

We were recently sent a clipping by one of our readers from a French magazine where the superstar named his dream XV of his favourite players.

These four players were the key players in his selection who received the most praise.

#4. Joost van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

JONAH LOMU SAID: "Such an honour to have played against him. Still not sure how he made that tackle on me during the 1995 final (Rugby World Cup). I just looked down and my legs were gone."

DID YOU KNOW? He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007

#3. Martin Johnson (England)

LOMU SAID: "Few players demanded respect on the field like him. A great guy off the field too."

DID YOU KNOW? In 1990 he was even selected for the New Zealand under-21 side which went on a tour of Australia

#2. Tim Horan (Australia)

LOMU SAID: "Horan was one of the best backs I’ve ever seen."

DID YOU KNOW? As well as inside centre, Horan also played fly-half and earned one international cap on the wing

#1. Emile Ntamack (France)

JONAH LOMU SAID: "He's my toughest opponent for sure,”

“When your taught to defend against someone you’re told to watch his hips because it’s the one place on the body when you’re running that stays in one place,

“The problem with Émile was his whole body shifted, including his hips, meaning when he ran he swayed from side to side so I was always like what the the hell am I going to do here. He was also really fleet-footed."

DID YOU KNOW? His oldest son Romain Ntamack is also a professional rugby union player like his uncle and dad since 2017.