"Who's George" - 20 rugby players whose names aren't really what you think they are

byRugby Rucker

A number of stars are commonly known by a shorter epithet (‘Manu’ is certainly less of a mouthful than Manusamoa), and there are numerous other examples of rugby players whose names aren’t really what you think they are.

#1. Leigh is really Stephen Halfpenny

skysports leigh halfpenny wales rugby 3899974

#2. Doddie is really George Wilson Weir

#3. Lawrence is really Lorenzo Bruno Nero Dallaglio

#4. Conor is really Gerard Murray

#5. Richie is really Richard McCaw

#6. Scott is really Leon Quinnell

skysports scott quinnell quinnell wales 3937664

#7. Iain is really William Henderson

#8. Sonny Bill WIlliams is Sonny William Williams

Sonny Bill Williams of New Zealand applauding the crowd - Photo mandatory by-line: Dean Lancaster/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - 02/10/2015 - SPORT - RUGBY UNION - RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 - POOL C Match 23 - New Zealand v Georgia- Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales.

#9. Will is really Sanchez William Genia

#10. Mako is really Makovina Wanangarua I Whanga Nui-Atara Vunipola

Mako Vunipola of England during the Autumn Nations Cup match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on November 21 2020. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#11. Francois is really Jacobus Pienaar

#12. Maro is really Oghenemaro Miles Itoje

Final whistle celebrations for Maro Itoje of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#13. Taulupe is really Tangaki Faletau

Taulupe Faletau during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK

#14. Bakkies is really John Philip Botha

#15. Billy is really Viliami Vunipola

Billy Vunipola of Saracens on the break during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Leicester Tigers and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium on 18 June 2022. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#16. Rassie is Johan Erasmus

#17. Rob Andrew is Christopher Andrew

#18. Bundee is really Fua Leiofi Bundellu Aki

Elliot Daly of England tackles Bundee Aki of Ireland during the six Nations Championship match, between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, London , UK, on the 17th March 2017. (Photo:Dean Lancaster/PPAUK)

#19. Mils is really Junior Malili Muliaina

#20. Joe is really Ratu Josateki Tuivanuavou Waqanivalu Cokanasiga

Joe Cokanasiga of England waves in the direction of the crowd following the Guinness Six Nations Round Four match between England and Italy at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 9th March 2019. Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.