Jonah Lomu vs Usain Bolt: Simulation Reveals Shock 100m Result
Rugby NewsThursday, 09 April 2026 at 11:18
How Would Rugby Legend Jonah Lomu Fare in a 100m Race Against Usain Bolt?
Jonah Lomu, the All Blacks legend, was once regarded as the fastest rugby player on the planet—but could he hold his own against sprinting icon Usain Bolt in a 100m sprint?
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Back in October 1998, a study revealed Lomu’s top speed at a blistering 10.6 meters per second, translating to around 22.3mph. Not bad, right?
But the real question is, could this rugby giant give Bolt, the fastest man in history, a run for his money?
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Jonah Lomu vs Usain Bolt: Who Wins?
While Lomu was far from ordinary, matching up against the Jamaican legend might be another story. Using Lomu's top speed, his 100m time has been calculated.
It’s clear Lomu’s pace was legendary, but Bolt’s world-record sprinting ability keeps him firmly on top.
The 15 Fastest Rugby Players Ever (Ranked 15–1)
Speed has always been rugby’s ultimate X-factor. A split second of acceleration or a 100-metre dash can turn defence into disaster and make legends out of wingers. But who are the fastest rugby players ever?
This ranking blends recorded 100m times, GPS top speeds, and on-field acceleration to bring you the 15 quickest rugby players in history.
15 Fastest Rugby Players Ever
15. Sosene Anesi — Sprint Start Specialist
The former All Black built his game around explosive 40m pace. He may not have the household name of others on this list, but his speed made him a lethal finisher in open play.
14. Joe Rokocoko — The Long Strider
One of New Zealand’s great wingers, Rokocoko combined size with smooth, long-striding acceleration. Defenders rarely had time to set before he was past them.
13. Seabelo Senatla — Sevens Sprint King
A superstar in rugby sevens, Senatla’s blistering pace has been measured against some of the quickest sprinters in the sport. In space, few could lay a hand on him.
12. Ben Smith — Underrated Speed
Better known for his positioning and rugby brain, Smith’s underrated pace often surprised opponents. His ability to hit top gear while maintaining balance was world-class.
11. Tonderai Chavhanga — Zimbabwean Flyer
Chavhanga’s sprint times rank among the quickest ever logged by a rugby international. His debut for South Africa included six tries — powered by pure, uncatchable pace.
10. Shane Williams — Acceleration Master
The Welsh wizard wasn’t the outright fastest over 100m, but his first 10 metres were devastating. His quicksilver acceleration and side-step made him unplayable in tight spaces.
9. Jonny May — England’s Speed Demon
May has been clocked at elite GPS speeds in training and in matches. His raw pace and ability to hit maximum velocity quickly have made him one of England’s most feared wingers.
8. Jonah Lomu — The Force of Nature
At nearly 120kg, Lomu’s ability to run close to sprinter’s pace was terrifying. While others might beat him in a pure 100m, nobody combined power and speed like the All Black legend.
7. Doug Howlett — Try-Scoring Rocket
New Zealand’s all-time top try-scorer paired consistent pace with clinical finishing. Howlett wasn’t just quick once — he was reliably rapid across his whole career.
6. Jason Robinson — The Step and the Burst
Robinson’s secret weapon was his acceleration. In five metres he could leave world-class defenders flat-footed. Add in his low centre of gravity and you had a nightmare to tackle.
5. Bryan Habana — The Benchmark
For years, Habana was the gold standard for rugby speed. Clocked at near-elite sprint times, his breakaway tries became a trademark of South Africa’s World Cup-winning side.
4. Cheslin Kolbe — Pocket Rocket
Kolbe’s small stature hides a lightning-fast sprinter. His rapid acceleration and top-end speed allowed him to score some of the most jaw-dropping tries in modern rugby.
3. Christian Wade — Training Ground Record Breaker
Wade’s top speeds in training rank among the highest ever recorded in professional rugby. His ability to reach maximum velocity so quickly made him a devastating attacking threat.
2. Carlin Isles — The Fastest Man in Rugby
A former sprinter turned USA sevens star, Isles regularly posts 100m times under 10.3 seconds. In open space, no one has ever looked faster with a rugby ball in hand.
1. Adam Radwan — Modern Rugby’s Jet Engine
Among current XVs players, Radwan tops GPS speed charts. In terms of raw, measurable pace, he’s the fastest rugby player in the world today.
Final Word: Who Is the Fastest Rugby Player Ever?
From Jonah Lomu’s brutal power to Carlin Isles’ track-level sprinting, rugby has seen incredible pace across generations. But in the modern professional era, Adam Radwan’s GPS-recorded speed makes him the clear leader in terms of raw numbers.
What they all share is the ability to turn speed into magic — the tries and moments fans will never forget.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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