I played with Trevor Leota while he was in the UAE. He is literally one of the best men I have ever met. A Gentle soul. On the field, an absolute BEAST!

@mikegray8776

Жыл бұрын

My kids adored Trevor at Wasps - the first player out to sign autographs at Adams Park - and the last one to go in to get changed. You are right - a lovely friendly, gentle man! But flick that switch at kick-off and there was no sign of Dr Jekyll for the next 80 mins. In a team which also included Dallaglio, Worsley, Payne and Shaw - there was never any dispute over who was the hardest man in the squad. How someone so short could be SO destructive, is one of life’s undefinables ….. and how Mrs Leota ever found school shirts to fit her boy is impossible to comprehend!!

@MrDarkweaver

Жыл бұрын

Almost to a man, the players whose heritage is from the Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji etc are huge hulking powerful men who would flatten you like a pancake on the rugby field, and off the field they are absolute gentlemen. I've never met man who came from one of the rugby playing Pacific Islands or their parents were from there, that wasn't a genuine soul. On the rugby field, they are warriors though....check out the hits that Brian Lima used to put on people :)

@1ma4ighter

8 ай бұрын

same with Schalk Burger

@marcdaniels9079

8 ай бұрын

He has a very sad story after rugby 😮 Terrible the way that PI players have been exploited.

@Mr300millz

8 ай бұрын

Famous Cane

The toughest 15 ever has got to be JPR Williams. The number of times he withstood head high tackles was just amazing to watch. I'm not sure if this is an urban legend but, I've heard in one match he was cut, went off the park, sewed himself up (he was a doctor) and then went back on to continue playing. All the boys back then could sink the beers too...!

@zztop6460

Жыл бұрын

He had his cheek ripped open playing for Bridgend against NZ. It was hid dad I think that stitched him up. Still turned out for Tondu into his 50s

@jayturner3397

Жыл бұрын

Smashed his upper palette too

@simonperry941

Жыл бұрын

That story about him seeing himself up is true. I was there. Playing for London Welsh vs, I think Bedford at Old Deer Park.

@johnmcdonagh9336

Жыл бұрын

I've seen some of the footage of those tackles. Took em and just kept on playing. He surely was tough as nails.

@markbrown-sb2zm

6 ай бұрын

Buck Shelford lost a bollock ,sewed the satchel up and got stuck in as if he hadnt just lost a bollock.

Jerry Collins !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the machine

The toughest 9 to ever play was Joost van der Westhuizen, he has to be in the based on that. What a player he was. And the 14 wing has to be James Small. Him and Jonah has serious history too 🙂

@wernerswardt7512

6 ай бұрын

Don't forget about "Lem" Henry Honiball, most feared number 10

@MarkMoore-xk2rn

6 ай бұрын

nah, not james, a great player and a scrapper, but not in this team.

@mvubu6823

Ай бұрын

James Small wasn't tough. He created an aura of a street fighter but he wasn't. Terrible tackler. A little bit dirty when he got the chance. Good footballer

@christoduplessis8177

Ай бұрын

@@mvubu6823 I saw James Small play for Transvaal against the Barbarians in 1992 at Ellispark. He had 14 stitches in his head after taking a "knee" to the head the week before (against Natal if I recall correctly). We might have different definitions of tough, but for me, he is right up there as toughest 14 to ever put a jersey on.

@mvubu6823

Ай бұрын

@@christoduplessis8177 I guess my measure is the ability give and take violence. James pushed and pulled from the outskirts, he never got stuck into the messy stuff.

juan smit at 7 is apparently one of the toughest to ever play, goes under the radar though

@DRM1891

Ай бұрын

Hard to disagree he was a tough guy but technically he was blindside wasn't he? In South Africa 6 and 7 are swapped over aren't they?

the "lets have a beer" at the end is gold

I could listen to Andy and his stories for hours. What a character.

Scott Gibbs was immense for the lions! Triple hard bastard,I’m English and can think of half a dozen but watching Gibbs tackle was just something else! Massive, massive hits .

Joost Van der westhuizen was the hardest scrum half for me what a player

@darren7400

Жыл бұрын

Turned the 1998 test against the AB's in Durban when he came on

@thomasluke980

Жыл бұрын

Joost was like an extra forward but Faf is no lightweight 😂

@thomasluke980

Жыл бұрын

How many tries did Joost score ? He is our best scrum half of all time IMO

@MeanAzz_13

Жыл бұрын

You are 100% right about Joost 🇿🇦 though Ofisa Tonu'u 🇳🇿 was built like a tank, such is the Samoan make up, however as much as I love Joost, in my team I went Gregan 🇦🇺 who without doubt was the toughest half *mentally* out of Joost 🇿🇦 and Marshall 🇳🇿 at the time, yet a *brilliant player* and as we Kiwi's know that line that's in rugby history "4 more years boys!"

@thomasluke980

Жыл бұрын

@@MeanAzz_13 how many tries did Gregan score ? Joost was faster , stronger and far more dangerous than Gregan ! Plus Gregan was a chop on the field .

Sebastian Chabal has been hard done by here! Although there’s too many back rows to pick from I suppose

@johnmcdonagh9336

Жыл бұрын

Chabal was an absolute monster. Richie Mc Caw played and won a world cup Final a week after ankle surgery. Schalk Burger almost died, was unlikely to ever participate in sports again, never mind go back playing rugby professionally. Andy's words were "I miss Jerry." He damn near had tears in his eyes as he thought of a man he obviously knew and liked. And he was some man, even in his last actions in this life. Where he took his infant daughter in his arms and used his body to shield her from the worst of an impact between their vehicle and a bus. He saved her life, but both he and the girl's mother died in the crash.

Just came across this channel and really enjoying it, Jim. Just one thing that you could add is having your laptop hooked up to a tv so when you talk about all these players you can get clips up or google them for stats. Just a thought anyways mate.

Crazy to think that Simon Geoghegan was only 6ft, 13 stone and he was the only player that was always able to tackle 6ft 5, 19 stone Jonah Lomu. The size difference was crazy!

@kings.r.d4009

Жыл бұрын

joost enters the chat*

@nickybutt9733

Жыл бұрын

Stringer brought him down

@harryocallaghan8082

Жыл бұрын

@whybother now He’s talking about when Ireland played the All Blacks at the time.

@bryanellis459

Жыл бұрын

I think he was the only one to tackle him in the 1995 world cup prior to the final. It was a pity he had to retire early (28 or 29 I think). he had aweful problems with his toes I think. He also was the one of the few bright sparks in one of the worst periods of Irish rugby history

@oliverhunter9495

Жыл бұрын

@@bryanellis459 Him, Brendon Mullen and Nick Popplwell. That was pretty much it until Wood came along and a change began. Every 5N it was basically a new Irish team.

Great that they put Jonah at 11. Absolute legend of rugby!!! I'd have Joost at 9

Winterbottom? Anyone else remember him? Took no prisoners, ever - just a quiet destroyer.

@jayturner3397

Жыл бұрын

Good 👉 👍

@chrisbaxter3597

Жыл бұрын

Yes another farmer - a nugget

@chrisbaxter3597

Жыл бұрын

No Martin Johnson - come on

@leplessis8179

Жыл бұрын

@@chrisbaxter3597 I would rather have the Blackpool policeman.

@chrisbaxter3597

Жыл бұрын

@@leplessis8179 Wade Dooley - yes he took no prisoners 😄

I heard Schalk Burger being interviewed, say that the ONLY player who ever frightened him on a rugby pitch was Henry Tuilagi. I wouldn’t argue!! Henry AND Alesana must surely both be in the hardest 15 ever !?

@johnmitchell2269

Жыл бұрын

Got no time for players who eye gauge. Should never have been allowed to set foot on any pitches after he done that, shameful.

@dougclark9921

Жыл бұрын

@@johnmitchell2269 we are talking hard not decent

@jameswyatt4443

26 күн бұрын

That’s not what tough means.

Ashton at 14? Remember the left right combo he took off Manu and he soaked it up and carried on playing. Not many could do that!

@morgandunn8163

Жыл бұрын

He wasn't a hard guy though

@alanb9443

Жыл бұрын

Morgan you’re right. Eating a left hook from the 110 kegs of Samoan power that is manu Tuilagi… basically a fairy

@morgandunn8163

Жыл бұрын

@@alanb9443 just because u eat a hook like that doesn't make u a hard guy. If we are talking hard guys someone like bakkies botha comes to mind not little bitch boy ashton 😂

@jameswyatt4443

26 күн бұрын

Not a chance. Ashton? I genuinely can’t believe someone could think he’s tough.

Awesome pack! Only change I would make is Henry tuilagi at 8 and Jerry Collins at 6 💥.

@mikegray8776

Жыл бұрын

Good shout! And his ‘little’ brother (Alesana) HAS to be in at wing, pairing with Jonah.

@chrisbell8271

6 ай бұрын

Jerome Kaino every day, twice on sunday

Tough 10, Butch James also to consider if looking at tough. Might get carded but can make a hit

@jameswyatt4443

26 күн бұрын

There’s tougher 10s from South Africa. Henry Honiball, Frans Steyn.

Cant believe Jim Hamilton didnt know Simon Geoghegan. What an incredible winger he was.

When it comes to tough ! Martin Johnson and John Eales were just different level! Eben Etzebeth is carrying on from them ..

That was brilliant 😂😂😂

Honorable Pontypridd mention. Love it

My 1st season, in the 90s was as a prop and 2nd rows were always punching through

I'm a Saffa, completely agree with Scott Gibbs!

@daaichommie708

Ай бұрын

Agreed. Anyone who can run over the mighty Os Du Rant, deserves praise.

Andy Powell, my kind of rugby player, a real wrecking ball, I was in the Royal Navy 40 odd years ago, met quite a few characters like a Powell, great.

Have you guys never heard of Terry Holmes...Welsh 9 during 80s..awesome player

@marcdaniels9079

8 ай бұрын

Shoe in at 9

@henryb160

3 ай бұрын

Didn't do well at RL though.

@jameswyatt4443

26 күн бұрын

He’s no Joost

Henry Tuilagi must be in with a shout

@johnmitchell2269

Жыл бұрын

Alesana as well.

@daaichommie708

Ай бұрын

But does being the biggest guy mean you're the toughest? Not saying Tuilagi wasn't tough, the man was a brick shithouse, but size and power don't always correlate to the toughest.

Danny Grewcock. Angriest man to play the game. Was a giant as well. Chabal was an absolute monster. But the toughest was probably Bakies Botha. Lewis Mad Dog Moody was a different kind of tough as well.

@SuperEdge67

9 ай бұрын

Grewcock wasn’t tough……he was just a thug.

Huge fan of BOD but should be Danie Gerber at 13. Hard AF and ridiculously talented

@thomasluke980

Жыл бұрын

The best Bok centre of all time !

@rodrobson903

Жыл бұрын

Remember him well, stunning player

@rhymeocerous

Ай бұрын

Exactly like BOD so

Love the podcast.

Awesome team

I'm old school. I'd have Richard Loe at 1, Johan LeRoux at 3, good call on Leota, Olivier Roumat and Wade Dooley locking, Schalke at 7, Jerry Collins at 6, Chabal at 8. Joost the GOAT at 9, Butch James 10, Jonah 11, Ma'a Nonu at 12, Brian Lima at 13, Manu Tuilagi at 14 and Mike Catt at 15 cos he survived being steamrolled in 95 to win in 03.

@wingcommanderdaltonwalton67

Жыл бұрын

Catt was run over by a combine harvester!

@marcdaniels9079

8 ай бұрын

I like it

James Small from SA also tackled the great Jomo lono

@powerbite92

Жыл бұрын

when he was poisoned..

@wot4922

Жыл бұрын

@@powerbite92 yes...we poison everyone. This is why no team ever has won in SA. Dork.

@justinoswald8825

Жыл бұрын

Hard as nails and knew how to have a good time.

@xxxWheelchairsxxx313

Жыл бұрын

No one cares about SA

@thomasluke980

Жыл бұрын

@@xxxWheelchairsxxx313 Really 😂 ? Good one mate 😅

Paul O' Connell ?

I would’ve had Henry Tuilagi at eight with JC at six and would’ve put Lewsey on the wing

@leplessis8179

Жыл бұрын

Good call on Lewsey - best tackler, ever.

@Shandyboy8612

Жыл бұрын

Lewsey was nails tbf

@johnmitchell2269

Жыл бұрын

Lewis Mad Dog Moody.

Huge Lomu fan here.... as a young lad I stood between him and Pienaar during the '95 RWC in SA.... I'm guessing you never saw James Small tackle Lomu....

Buck Shelford, Willie Duggan, Andy Haden and Brian Lima.

Butch James at 10.

When it the full episode

Jacques Burger at 7

Wade Dooley at 4.

Pontypool Front Row are shoo-ins. Feared in their day, time transported to today, would still be feared.

Brian Lima on the wing

Beast SA blindside flanks- Danie Roussow, Juan Smit ,Jacques Cronje (so powerful he looked like he had NFL padding under his jersey), Corne Krige massive tackler. Locks I would add Paul Willemse to Bakkies as the most intimidating.

Henry Honiball would’ve been a great shout at 10. Was called “The Blade” for a reason. Jonny was tough as nails though.

@Mustang7520

4 күн бұрын

Brian Lima at 12, Alesana Tuilagi at 14 and Andre Joubert at 15 would be my other changes.

Hibbard as a shout for 2, Martin Johnson in for a second row and maybe etzebeth. Lewis moody as a shout for flanker, Mike Philips for 9, wilko is by far the hardest 10 to play the game he used to fold forwards all day long, Josh lewsey for wing and JPR Williams at fullback

@ernestshu

Жыл бұрын

And Butch James?

@herb2078

Жыл бұрын

@@ernestshu ye he was a classy player and a tough lad for sure! Watched him at bath for a number of years. People don’t realise the man has huge as well a lot bigger than most fly half’s

Surely Henry Tuilagi at 8 absolute beast.

I'll swap out Alun Wyn for Martin Johnson and Simon Geoghegan for Josh Lewsey - and maybe Drico for Brian Lima

@zztop6460

Жыл бұрын

Definitely missed out on the chiropractor. You could have a list of Samoan players from the past. Apollo Perilini more famous in league but a beast in 91.

When Jake white was technical advisor to Nick Mallet they toured France and the French came up to Jake and asked if Henry honiball was playing, to which Jake replied yes. The French was like shit we stuffed. Wasn’t the best flyhalf ever but dam he was tough

Surprised deacon didn’t get a mention. If it’s about to start up on the field you’re gonna want that left uppercut.

@iangregory54

Жыл бұрын

He's on the bench along with Henry Tuilagi

Andre Venter. Hard as nails

1. Jason Leonard 2. Trevor Leota 3. Adam Jones 4. Martin Johnson 5. Bakkies Botha 6. Peter O'Mahony 7. Schalk Burger 8. Duane Vermeulen 9. Mike Phillips 10. Ronan O'Gara 11. Jonah Lomu 12. Tana Umaga 13. Brian Lima 14. Nemani Nadolo 15. Rob Kearney

Great craic

Didn't Brian O'Driscoll fly home early from the 2009 Lions tour? So that story about cling film must have been after the first test? He picked up that bad injury after the second so was probably in hospital, and by the time the third came around he was home.

Jacques Fourie is one of my toughest centres

you should do a hardest NH team against the hardest SH team. Call outs for Peter Clohessy, Martin Johnson, Paul O'Connell and Grewcock

@markhamer7220

4 ай бұрын

Chuck Julian white, Graeme Dawe and mike Teague in there for good measure.

Good banter, makes a change to the usual 'Lions XV' chat, but no Buck Shelford?

A Tuilagi on the wing definitely.

@KidMLV

6 ай бұрын

If you had James Small on the other wing, I would be afraid team mates would be getting into brawls😂

Sebastian Chabal, Justin Marshall, Butch James, Frank Bunce, Zinzan Brooke, Owen Finnegan, Phil Waugh

AB's tough XV 1) Ken Gray 2) Fitzy 3) Carl Hayman 4) Pine Tree 5) Brad Thorn 6) Jerry Collins 7) McCaw 8) Buck Shelford 9) Jimmy Cowan 10) luke McAllister 11) Jonah 12) Bill Osbourne 13) Frank Bunce 14) Bryan Williams 15) Ben Smith Ken, Tree, Jerry & Buck will sort out any stouche that flares up... Rest are just uncompromising, hard buggers! Plenty of pace and size out wide. Good luck to anyone on the cut back ☠️ Honourable mentions to: Steve McDowell, Sam Tuitupou, Troy Flavell, Zinzin Brooke & Keith Murdoch

Tough wing that will fit right into this 15 - James Small

I’d love to watch this team in action.

Butch James at 10 surely? His low tackles were chest high. Loved a high shot

I can’t believe Henry or Alessana Tuilagi didn’t make this team 😂😂

Ellis Genge? Frank Bunce? Sonny Bill? Tuigamala? Brian Lima? Alesana Tuilagi? If we’re talking wrecking ball wild men?

@chasey2327

Ай бұрын

Bunce was like terminator...u couldnt damage him and his hair never moved

Butch James and Danny Grewcock were 2 names I was expecting

@tonywilson8681

Жыл бұрын

Danny is a good shout, loved the way he played, never not involved.

How can you forget about Sebastian Chabel

@alanb9443

Жыл бұрын

Lol Jim said he’s a fake tough guy in the past

@ethanmcmahon7343

Жыл бұрын

@@alanb9443 fake tough guy 😂 he smashed any player who ran at him. Make Jerry Collins look like an amateur

@RichardCummins1988

Жыл бұрын

@@ethanmcmahon7343 Munster made mincemeat of him a couple of times and targeted him with Sale. Massive lad, no necessarily hard

@TheMintedAero1993

Жыл бұрын

​@@ethanmcmahon7343 I think you're getting confused with Chris Masoe. Jerry ruined Chabal

@stanley626

Жыл бұрын

Quite easily. He was a bit of a one hit wonder. He would put in one headline hit but then you would not see him. Collins was relentless hit and hit

Difficult to believe they didn't have Buck Shelford at 6 or 8... (despite decent picks they did make)

I’m a Saffer but have no problem in saying that some of the toughest lads were the late 90s early 20s Wallabies. You never considered any of them.

@daaichommie708

Ай бұрын

Agree fully. People always failed to realise that rugby was (and is) a non entity sport in Wallaby Land. They always punched well above their weight! That 99 team was a great team.

What about the Ebbw Vale boxer at 10 from the 90s. Absolute nails. (Can’t think of his name though…)

@andy-wi5gc

6 күн бұрын

Byron hayward

How do you not have Sébastien Chabal in there?

Other decent SA options: 2. Bismark du Plessis 7. Corne Krige 10. Butch James 12. De Wet Barry.

Jonah lomu what an awesome individual. Definitely him. Never scored a try against springboks. O Driscal also awesome

@KekeHimona

Күн бұрын

Jonah never scored against wales either

Missing some players here...Chabal, Butch James, Henry Honibal, James Small, Bismarck du plesis, Joost van der westhuisen, Chris Latham, Kevin mealamu, Dough Howlett...

Mick The Munch should've made it into this team.

Marc Jones wales rugby league and Union back row from 90s hard as nails

Never been a tougher no. 10 than Butch James. Nobody wanted to run down his channel

@user-ii5cw9pf3v

28 күн бұрын

LEM WAS TOUGHER

Julian White as a tight head, not a loose head.

Henry Honiball at 10 by miles ..Opponents genuinely feared him.

Cant believe you didn't have Tuilagi on the wing in his Samoan shirt close lining and punching people

Tonu'u was a beast

James Small on the wing. Crazy tough

Martin Johnson in the back row

Shane Horgan was the only player I've seen put jonah into touch

@marcdaniels9079

8 ай бұрын

Watch the 95 RWC final again. Plenty of Saffas put the big guy down but may e he was at 50% from food poisoning 😅

Still waiting for your book to come out Mr Powell come on it be a right crack

James Dalton at 2

Putting an image of your team out at the end would have been great.

Allasandro Troncon at 9. Granite.

Butch at 10 🤌

Butch James and ma’a nonu. Maybe de villiers at 13? Tuisova and any of the tuilagis too.

Jaques Burger at 7

Most powerful 8- Vermuelen and Zinzan Brooke. Easy picks. Kieran Reid too.

Jerry Collins... he smashed Chabal..bent him like a banana...plenty of opposition passed before contact with Jerry...Jerome Kaino was tough too..and No.7 Richie McCaw ,No. 10 Dan Carter , only one No.11 The Great Johan Lomu..you could just make Top 15 from NZ and SA...☝️😂.. Aaron Smith best Half Back..Hardest tackler Brian Lima , Samoa , The Chiropractor..!!!

Serge Betsen should be on the list he could tackle Jesus

Frank Bunce and Scotty Gibbs pairing

Johnny Wilkinson was one I guessed!

David Bishop at 9.

Owen Finnegan was a tough bastard

One word missing “Chabal” how can the caveman not be in this 15?

@mvubu6823

9 ай бұрын

Lots have said he goes away when you Crack him.

@craigstewart6073

8 ай бұрын

He's known to be all cock and no balls

@1ma4ighter

8 ай бұрын

I got 10 names from Springboks n all blacks that would destroy Chabal everyday and night

@KidMLV

6 ай бұрын

Good one! I think Bryan Lima is another big omission haha!

The claw has to be on any hardest team