All Blacks star is one of the heaviest rugby players of all-time (Ranked 15-1)

Rugby News

by Charlie Elliott

Tuesday, 18 August 2026 at 19:34

byCharlie Elliott

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Size has always been a major part of rugby, but some forwards have taken it to another level.

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From enormous props to towering locks, these players have pushed the limits of what is possible on a rugby pitch.

The latest name to enter the conversation is a prop who was called up to the All Blacks squad for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa after Ollie Norris was ruled out.

15 Richard Metcalfe - 140kg

Standing at 7ft (213cm), Richard Metcalfe was the tallest player ever to represent a nation at international level. He was around six inches taller than the average second row, giving him a huge presence in the line-out and contributing to his enormous frame.

The Scottish forward won 13 caps between 2000 and 2001 and enjoyed club spells with Newcastle Falcons and Northampton Saints. He played in every match of Northampton's victorious 2000 Heineken Cup campaign apart from the final, where he came off the bench as they defeated Munster.

His career came to an end in 2003 after his contract with the Borders and SRU was terminated. A long-term knee injury ultimately forced him into retirement.

14 Saula Ma'u - 142kg

A late addition to the All Blacks' Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa, Saula Ma'u was called up after prop Ollie Norris suffered an injury.

Born in Tonga, the 6ft 4in, 142kg tighthead has already represented the All Blacks XV and has established himself as one of New Zealand's most powerful scrummagers.

Ma'u has made 58 appearances for the Highlanders and a further 40 for Otago, with his immense strength making him a formidable presence at the set piece.

13 Tamaiti Williams - 144kg

Already an established Test prop at just 26, Tamaiti Williams has earned more than 25 caps for New Zealand and is regarded as one of the country's most promising front row forwards.

His Super Rugby career began with the Crusaders in 2021, where he quickly developed a reputation for his combination of power, athleticism and work rate.

Williams was part of New Zealand's 2023 Rugby World Cup squad and featured from the bench during the semi-final victory over Argentina.

12 Frans Malherbe - 144kg

A two-time World Cup winner with South Africa, Frans Malherbe has long been regarded as one of the world's premier tighthead props. The 144kg forward has also been a key figure for the Stormers.

His career has been badly disrupted by injuries, however. Malherbe has not played since March 2025 after suffering back and neck problems, before a hip injury in January 2026 further delayed his recovery.

The 35-year-old missed the entirety of the Stormers' 2025/26 campaign. He was included in Rassie Erasmus' initial 49-man Springboks alignment camp squad for 2026, but has not returned to the active Test squads while continuing his rehabilitation.

11 James Johnston - 145kg

Few props have combined longevity with sheer size quite like James Johnston. The veteran tighthead won 16 caps for Samoa and enjoyed a lengthy club career with Harlequins, Saracens, Worcester and Brive.

His scrummaging power and uncompromising style made him a formidable opponent, while he was still turning out regularly well into his 40s. Last season, Johnston played 16 matches for Championship side Ampthill at the age of 40.

Rugby also runs in the family. His brother, fellow prop Census Johnston, was listed at a comparatively modest 137kg.

10 JJ van der Mescht - 145kg

Northampton Saints have benefited from JJ van der Mescht's imposing physical presence, with the forward enjoying a standout season and establishing himself as one of the most difficult players to contain.

His combination of size and athleticism makes him particularly effective as a ball carrier. Defenders are often forced to commit multiple players to stopping him, creating space for his teammates elsewhere on the field.

9 Emmanuel Meafou - 145kg

At 145kg, Toulouse lock Emmanuel Meafou is one of the most imposing forwards in world rugby. His enormous frame is matched by surprising athleticism, helping him become a key figure for both Toulouse and France.

He has won the Champions Cup and Top 14 during his club career and has established himself as one of the game's most formidable second rows.

Born in New Zealand to Samoan parents and raised in Australia, Meafou gained French citizenship in 2023 before making his France debut the following year.

8 Taniela Tupou - 148kg

Known around the rugby world as the Tongan Thor, Taniela Tupou has become one of Australia's most recognisable forwards.

His explosive carries and spectacular offloads have made him a fan favourite, while his enormous frame allows him to cause serious damage at scrum time.

With more than 65 Test caps and a cult following dating back to his days with the Queensland Reds, Tupou has represented Australia for almost a decade. Now with Racing 92, he qualified for the Wallabies through residency after being born in Tonga.

7 Will Skelton - 148kg

Few players can match Will Skelton's combination of size and mobility. The former Wallabies captain has enjoyed major success with Saracens and La Rochelle, collecting European honours during his club career.

Despite standing out physically, Skelton offers far more than brute force. His handling ability, mobility and power make him a unique proposition when fully fit.

In August 2023, he was named Australia's captain for the Rugby World Cup, adding another major achievement to an already impressive career.

6 Posolo Tuilagi - 149kg

The latest powerhouse to emerge from the famous Tuilagi family, Posolo Tuilagi has quickly made his mark as a France international and an important player for Perpignan.

At just 22 years old, the second row weighs close to 150kg, yet his movement is surprisingly sharp for a player of his size.

Brute strength remains a major part of his game, but Tuilagi's athleticism has helped him establish himself as one of the most exciting young forwards in European rugby.

5 Opeti Fonua - 150kg

Former Tonga international Opeti Fonua was capable of playing both lock and number eight, with his remarkable size making him a unique presence in the forward pack.

His official profile at Agen listed his peak weight at 150kg, although he was listed at lower weights at various points in his career. Despite his enormous frame, Fonua was also noted for his speed and agility.

He previously played for Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons, represented Tonga at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and eventually retired with Agen in 2019.

4 Asenathi Ntlabakanye - 150kg

A dominant scrummager for the Lions, Asenathi Ntlabakanye earned international recognition and broke into the Springboks set-up in 2024.

Built for the tighthead position, his game revolves around physicality, powerful collisions and dominance at scrum time. His enormous frame allows him to impose himself throughout a match.

In May 2026, however, Ntlabakanye received an 18-month suspension following an anti-doping rule violation.

3 Uini Atonio - 155kg

One of the defining front row forwards of his generation, Uini Atonio played a key role in France's success over the past decade.

The 155kg tighthead won more than 70 Test caps, a Six Nations title and multiple major honours with La Rochelle. His immense strength made him a hugely difficult opponent at scrum time, even against the best packs in the world.

Atonio retired in 2026 following a serious health scare, bringing an impressive career to an end.

2 Ben Tameifuna - 160kg

Tonga captain Ben Tameifuna has spent much of his career proving that immense size does not have to come at the expense of skill.

Despite weighing around 160kg, the prop possesses impressive handling ability and surprisingly nimble footwork. His power has made him one of the most imposing front row forwards in international rugby.

After beginning his career with the Chiefs in Super Rugby, Tameifuna went on to make his mark in Europe with Racing 92 and Bordeaux, consistently combining strength with technical ability.

1 Bill Cavubati - 167kg

Few players in rugby history have matched the sheer size of Bill Cavubati. The Fijian-born forward reached a reported 167kg and became something of a cult figure during the early 2000s.

A long-serving member of Wellington rugby and part of the Hurricanes set-up, Cavubati was far more than a novelty because of his weight. His immense frame was backed up by genuine scrummaging ability.

He famously faced the All Blacks in 2005, providing one of the most striking examples of rugby's extraordinary range of body shapes and sizes.