Peter O'Mahony has faced off against some of the biggest names in the game, but when asked to pick his three toughest opponents, he wasted no time in making his choices.
The flanker, who recently hinted that he will likely retire at the end of the 2024/25 season, announced that he’s ready to hang up his boots after a remarkable career.
While playing abroad remains a slight possibility, O'Mahony suggested that his one-year contract extension from last summer will probably be his final chapter in professional rugby.
So, who are the men that left a lasting impression on him? All three of O'Mahony's picks are iconic All Blacks, renowned for their physicality, leadership, and undeniable skill. Let’s dive into the profiles of these rugby titans.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
#3. Kieran Read
Position: Number 8
Caps: 128
Caps: 128
O'Mahony on Read:
"Read was probably the most skilful I’ve come up against, whether it was backs or forwards—he’d be well up there as well."
"Read was probably the most skilful I’ve come up against, whether it was backs or forwards—he’d be well up there as well."
Player Bio:
Kieran Read was a dynamic and intelligent number 8, known for his exceptional skills both as a ball-carrier and a leader. He was a linchpin of the All Blacks for over a decade, earning 128 caps and captaining the side from 2013 to 2019. With a calm demeanour and excellent decision-making, Read helped lead New Zealand to Rugby World Cup victories and numerous Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders.
Kieran Read was a dynamic and intelligent number 8, known for his exceptional skills both as a ball-carrier and a leader. He was a linchpin of the All Blacks for over a decade, earning 128 caps and captaining the side from 2013 to 2019. With a calm demeanour and excellent decision-making, Read helped lead New Zealand to Rugby World Cup victories and numerous Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders.
DID YOU KNOW?
Before making his mark in rugby, Read was a promising cricketer. He represented Northern District age-group teams and earned selection for New Zealand's Under-17 cricket side.
Before making his mark in rugby, Read was a promising cricketer. He represented Northern District age-group teams and earned selection for New Zealand's Under-17 cricket side.
#2. Richie McCaw
Position: Flanker
Caps: 148
Caps: 148
O'Mahony on McCaw:
"One of my heroes. I feel very privileged to have played against him. The All Blacks have never replaced him."
"One of my heroes. I feel very privileged to have played against him. The All Blacks have never replaced him."
Player Bio:
Richie McCaw is widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby players of all time. As a flanker, his work rate, leadership, and mastery of the breakdown were unparalleled. McCaw earned an astounding 148 caps for the All Blacks and captained the team to back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015. His longevity, mental toughness, and ability to perform under pressure set him apart as a true legend of the game.
Richie McCaw is widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby players of all time. As a flanker, his work rate, leadership, and mastery of the breakdown were unparalleled. McCaw earned an astounding 148 caps for the All Blacks and captained the team to back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015. His longevity, mental toughness, and ability to perform under pressure set him apart as a true legend of the game.
DID YOU KNOW?
McCaw’s roots trace back to Scotland, and as a nod to his heritage, he learned to play the bagpipes. Off the field, he's known for his humility and quiet leadership.
McCaw’s roots trace back to Scotland, and as a nod to his heritage, he learned to play the bagpipes. Off the field, he's known for his humility and quiet leadership.
#1. Jerry Collins
Position: Flanker
Caps: 48
Caps: 48
O'Mahony on Collins:
“In games, I remember that Ospreys team when I first started off. They had a back-row of Jerry Collins, [Filo] Tiatia, and Marty Holah. I was just out of my teens. It was a nasty enough back-row to come up against. Collins was a vicious bas***rd but a real gentleman off the pitch."
“In games, I remember that Ospreys team when I first started off. They had a back-row of Jerry Collins, [Filo] Tiatia, and Marty Holah. I was just out of my teens. It was a nasty enough back-row to come up against. Collins was a vicious bas***rd but a real gentleman off the pitch."
Player Bio:
Jerry Collins was a ferocious flanker who embodied raw physicality and fearless tackling. With 48 caps for the All Blacks, Collins' imposing presence on the field earned him a reputation as one of the toughest and most uncompromising players of his era. He was known not only for his devastating tackles but also for his leadership at club level, including stints with the Hurricanes and Ospreys.
Jerry Collins was a ferocious flanker who embodied raw physicality and fearless tackling. With 48 caps for the All Blacks, Collins' imposing presence on the field earned him a reputation as one of the toughest and most uncompromising players of his era. He was known not only for his devastating tackles but also for his leadership at club level, including stints with the Hurricanes and Ospreys.
DID YOU KNOW?
Collins was a cousin of fellow All Black great Tana Umaga. Tragically, Collins passed away in 2015, but his bravery and heart—both on and off the field—remain legendary.
Collins was a cousin of fellow All Black great Tana Umaga. Tragically, Collins passed away in 2015, but his bravery and heart—both on and off the field—remain legendary.
Tragic End:
In 2015, Collins and his partner Alana Madill died in a car accident in France. His final act of heroism was shielding his baby daughter Ayla from the impact, a testament to the type of man he was.
In 2015, Collins and his partner Alana Madill died in a car accident in France. His final act of heroism was shielding his baby daughter Ayla from the impact, a testament to the type of man he was.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Bad News for Rugby Fans: 2027 World Cup Heading Behind a Paywall
- Lions fly-half rules himself out of Andy Farrell’s 2025 tour selection
- Fiji set to face England in a thrilling lineup of four blockbuster fixtures
- Leaked England selection suggests Marcus Smith has been DROPPED
- ‘My rugby career was ended by Maro Itoje, I now have a completely new career’
Win a rugby jersey every week with our Six Nations predictor
If you are not sure, simply hit 'Shuffle' and you will be given an automated prediction.
Once you are happy with the selection, hit 'Submit Prediction' to enter.
You will receive points if either/both of your predictions occur during the live match.
POINTS
5 Points: Total Tries Correct
15 Points: Time of 1st Try Correct
15 Points: Time of 1st Try Correct
A winner will be selected from those with the most points at the end of the game week
NIGEL OWENS DREAM XV:
Fullback: Israel Folau (Australia)
Owens said: "For me, it’s nip and tuck between Halfpenny and Folau, next to nothing to choose between them. Leigh is brilliant because under the high ball and with his kicking at goal under pressure. He may not always break the line when running but puts his body on the line in defence and is a top-notch match-winner.
"But I go for Folau - only just, I should stress - because of his ability to seemingly beat his man every time he gets the ball in his hand. He’s such an exciting player and like Leigh he is one of the best under the high ball.
"It’s a toss of a coin for me... and it’s come down in Folau’s favour."
Winger: Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Owens said: "How can you fail to be impressed when watching Hogg play. He’s so exciting as he burst into that line and, of course, was named Six Nations player of the tournament.
"I know he’s a full-back for Scotland, but he is so quick and direct he could easily play on the wing. He reminds me a bit of Shane Williams with some of the things he does.
"When you see who is on the other wing in my team, you’ll see how they would work brilliantly in tandem."
Outside-centre: Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
Owens said: "Not only is he one of the greatest centres in the history of rugby union but he’s a fantastic man off the field as well. O’Driscoll has been a wonderful ambassador for the sport and a real leader. He always respected referees and set the right example for others to follow.
"A legend of the game who conducted himself superbly, on and off the pitch."
Inside-centre: Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)
Owens said: "He’s another brilliant player and after every game, win or lose, he would come up and give me a hug. Ma’a has always found time at after-match functions or at breakfast if we’ve been staying at the same hotel to come over and have a chat.
"What a player, mind, too. One of the stalwarts of the New Zealand side for so many years."
Winger: Shane Williams (Wales)
Owens said: "When people ask me who is the best player I have refereed it’s pretty much an impossible task to pick one because I’ve been lucky enough to take charge of so many greats.
"But if I’m pushed, I would pick Shane for what he achieved after coming from football at 17 or 18 years of age.
"He was in the mould of Gerald Davies in how he left defenders gasping for air as he beat them with those dazzling sidesteps. Nobody would fancy defending against a back three of Shane, Hogg and Folau, I can tell you that."
Fly-half: Dan Carter (New Zealand)
Owens said: "There are lots of outside-halves who have been great, but not one who has done it over so many years like Carter.
"Before the 2015 World Cup, some people said he was past his best and wouldn’t make the New Zealand squad for the tournament.
"But for Carter to come back from injury and play as well as he did then is a sign of a special player."
Scrum-half: Agustin Pichot (Argentina)
Owens said: "I used to love watching Dwayne Peel in his prime as a scrum-half for those few years between 2004-06 with Wales, the Lions and Llanelli. Talented, a great guy, he also has a house just up the road from me!
"But I’ve just plumped for Pichot who was a great player for the Pumas and also a great ambassador for the game of rugby in general.
"Pichot and Felipe Contepomi were the ones who helped transform Argentina into one of the greatest sides in the world. He was an architect behind their march to the World Cup semi-finals in 2007, which set the trend ahead of their excellent showing in the 2015 tournament, too."
Loosehead-prop: Gethin Jenkins (Wales)
Owens said: "He rarely smiles but has been a terrific player at loose-head prop. When I’ve penalised him and he’s smiled, I know I’d got the decision right!
"But, suffice to say, he hasn’t smiled often when I’ve refereed him. Another who has stood the test of time, which speaks volumes about his ability and character."
Hooker: John Smit (South Africa)
Owens said: "He led the Springboks to success at the 2007 World Cup in France and against the 2009 Lions and is probably one of the greatest captains I have dealt with. He’s a good man and was a very good player at hooker."
Tighthead-prop: Phil Vickery (England)
Owens said: "I always had a lot of time for him, found him a decent man, a good player to referee. He wasn’t one of those who would whinge at decisions, he would accept the call and get on with it.
"As a player, at his peak with Wasps during their European runs and with England in 2007, he was a formidable force.
"Just about edges out Carl Hayman, another great player and a pretty honest one as well. When he got it wrong and I penalised him, he would accept it."
Lock: Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
Owens said: "A man of few words, he does his talking on the field with his actions. Not only is he a brilliant player and a very good captain but I don’t think I have reffed a match where he hasn’t given absolutely everything."
Lock: Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
Owens said: "Quite simply he was just an exceptional leader. I have been in charge of games where he pretty much carried his team, whether it was Munster or Ireland, almost on his back and onto victory."
Blindside-flanker: Thierry Dusautoir (France)
Owens said: "My choice as the best skipper I encountered may raise a few eyebrows, but what a captain Dusautoir was. He unfailingly put his body on the line throughout his career — recall the 38 tackles he made when France knocked the All Blacks out of the 2007 World Cup — led by example and understood the game very well.
"Also, he was exemplary in the way he conducted himself.
"There were never any complaints from him over refereeing, not even when borderline decisions went against France. When his team were crushed 62-13 by New Zealand during the 2015 World Cup, he wasn’t tempted to blame anyone.
"He acted as a true leader should act."
Openside-flanker: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Owens said: "Even though there’s been David Pocock and others in this position, how can I not go with Richie?
"If anybody had to pick the greatest player in history, it would surely be a difficult choice between him and Gareth Edwards.
"How McCaw managed to put his body on the line and sometimes the wrong side at rucks for so many years at flanker is incredible."
Number 8: Sergio Parisse (Italy)
Owens said: "I’ve been fortunate to have refereed some tremendous No.8s during my career but Sergio is tops. He’s such a talented player and rarely has a bad game.
"Maybe there’s a tendency to try and do
