Jonah Lomu didn't hesitate when he was asked who was his toughest opponent

If you were unlucky enough to face him on the pitch, chances are you’ve still got bruises.

Lomu, who passed away in 2015, left behind a rugby legacy that’s as mighty as the man himself. While he bulldozed his way through many defences, there were a select few who gave him a run for his money.

In 2001, Lomu ranked the four players who pushed him to his limits on the field – and his choices may surprise you!

Joost van der Westhuizen wasn’t your average scrum-half – he was a Springbok colossus. Known for his blistering speed and tactical genius, Joost had the audacity to halt Lomu in his tracks during the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, a moment etched in history.

Lomu said: “Such an honour to have played against him. Still not sure how he made that tackle on me during the final. I just looked down and my legs were gone.”

Did you know? Joost was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007. Not too shabby!

Martin Johnson didn’t just lead England to their 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph – he intimidated everyone on the field with his sheer presence. The man was a walking wall in the second row, and even Jonah Lomu had to acknowledge his leadership and tenacity.

Johnson also selected Lomu in his dream team of players faced.

Lomu said: “Few players demanded respect on the field like him. A great guy off the field too.”

Did you know? Johnson was once picked for the New Zealand U21 side. Yes, New Zealand – before he swapped the black for the white of England!

Australia’s Tim Horan was the kind of player coaches dream about. A two-time World Cup winner, Horan wasn’t just quick, he was smart – and he had a habit of slicing through even the toughest defences. Lomu was full of admiration for the Wallabies' inside centre, calling him one of the best backs he’d ever played against.

Lomu said: “Horan was one of the best backs I’ve ever seen.”

Did you know? Horan was so versatile, he even earned a cap on the wing! Not many centres can claim that.

Topping Lomu’s list is France’s Emile Ntamack – yes, the father of current French star Romain Ntamack. Back in the day, Emile was a wing wizard, leaving defenders (even Lomu!) confused with his unpredictable movements. Lomu himself admitted that Ntamack’s sidestepping ability was something out of this world.

Jonah Lomu said: “He’s my toughest opponent for sure. The problem with Émile was his whole body shifted when he ran, including his hips. I was always like, what the hell am I going to do here?”

Did you know? Ntamack played a crucial role in France’s run to the 1999 World Cup final – the same tournament where his son Romain would later shine decades on.

The shocker? This star-studded lineup surprisingly leaves out some of the sport’s all-time greats, including the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio, Shane Williams, Brian O’Driscoll, and Jason Robinson.

Renowned for his historic role as the captain who masterfully steered England to their unforgettable victory at the 2003 Rugby World Cup and his groundbreaking leadership with the British & Irish Lions in both 1997 and 2001 – a remarkable achievement never replicated in the annals of rugby history.

Throughout his illustrious career, Johnson was a linchpin in two glorious Grand Slam-winning England teams in 1995, and once again, he donned the captain's armband during the unforgettable 2003 campaign.

Fullback: Serge Blanco (France) - “A great France full back who dominated games.”

Winger: Joe Roff (Australia) - “You’d put David Campese up there but Roff is my choice. A fantastic all-round rugby player, and old-style wing.”

Winger: Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) - “Not much difficulty in choosing one of the most awesome wings to have ever played.”

Outside-centre: Philippe Sella (France) - “I used to watch him as a kid on TV and think he was brilliant; and then ten years later I played against him and he was still brilliant. He still looks as if he could play for France today. One of the best backs I’ve ever seen. If you hit him it was like running into concrete.”

Inside-centre: Danie Gerber (South Africa) - “Scored a hat-trick against England in the first half in one match in the 1980s. He didn’t play many Tests because of apartheid, but he had power and pace. I don’t know if he could pass: it seemed like he never needed to. I played against him in a charity match in 1996 when he must have been well into his 40s, he was still awesome.”

Fly-half: Jonny Wilkinson (England) - "I could have gone for Phil Bennett, Michael Lynagh, Stephen Larkham or others but Jonny is special, not just for his kicking. I remember in the 2003 Grand Slam decider in Dublin, Ireland attacked down the right and Jonny was there to stop them; then they switched quickly to the left and Jonny was there to stop them too.”

Scrum-half: Gareth Edwards (Wales) - “The Welsh have put mythical status on Edwards and their 1970s players, but Rob Howley was almost as good and scored some great tries. Joost van der Westhuizen was the best scrum half I played against.”

Loosehead-prop: Jason Leonard (England) - “Solid as a rock, was regularly asked to play on both sides of the scrum and never moaned. His record of four World Cups and two finals says it all.”

Hooker: Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand) - “Played for the All Blacks for ten years, a fantastic competitor and a great captain.”

Tighthead-prop: Jean-Pierre Garuet (France) - “From the old school of scrummagers, played in the 1987 final, a nuggety, fierce-looking guy.”

Frik du Preez (South Africa) and Colin Meads (New Zealand): “The 1990s was a great era for locks. There were Robin Brooke and Ian Jones for New Zealand; Australia had John Eales; South Africa had Mark Andrews. I could have picked any of them but I’ve gone for some older players. Both Du Preez and Meads played in the 1960s but were very modern players. Meads was the greatest ever All Black; Frik was very quick and athletic. I wasn’t in their league.”

Blindside-flanker: Richard Hill (England) - “It was a difficult choice but Hill, a quiet guy, very understated, was the pick. When he was with the Lions teams, if he didn’t play, we didn’t win. He would be embarrassed to be in this side, but he deserves it.”

Openside-flanker: Michael Jones (New Zealand) - “Sean Fitzpatrick says he was the greatest player he ever played against, a mythical figure.”

Number 8: Wayne Shelford (New Zealand) - “Buck was at his peak for the World Cup final in 1987. I remember watching him as a 16-year-old on the terraces at Leicester a year earlier and saw him charge down the flank, chip the ball over the wing and score a try. Not bad for a back row.”