TOUGH Nigel Owens reveals his 'ultimate rugby hard man'

Wednesday, 28 October 2020 at 10:23

byRugby Rucker

Popular Welsh referee Nigel Owens has named his ultimate hard man in rugby as Richie McCaw.

McCaw was not included among a list of 20 tough nuts of the game profiled in new British book Hard Men of Rugby – which does feature a trio of All Blacks among its chosen concrete types.

“A popular question put to me is, who is the hardest player I have ever come across on the pitch?" said Owens.

"Well ... when it comes to the hardest of all, I am sorry Luke [author Luke Upton], it is not one of your suggestions … it is Richie McCaw.

“Capped 148 times by New Zealand, despite playing in the most attritional of positions, where every game he would be throwing himself into harm’s way, perhaps by locking himself over possession and soaking up the attention of immensely powerful forwards who would do everything they could wipe him off the ball.

"Now that's what I call a genuine hard man.”

Hard Men of Rugby by Luke Upton (@MrLukeUpton) and published by Y Lolfa is available now, at all good bookshops and online at Amazon.

LIST | Nigel Owens reveals the FIVE best players he refereed

Welsh referee Nigel Owens has shared the pitch with some major icons - and has now named the five best players he's officiated.

1. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)

"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."

2. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

"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."

3. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

"If anybody had to pick the greatest player in history, it would surely be a difficult choice between him and Gareth Edwards."

4. Sergio Parisse (Italy)

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.

5. Shane Williams (Wales)

"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."