15 of the Biggest Beasts in Rugby for 2024

(Last Updated On: January 1, 2024)

Much like the NFL, rugby is a sport that is chock full of beasts. Both sports are similar in many ways, so it is not a surprise that the sport of rugby has players that are just as badass as those in the NFL.

I am sure most football fans (American football) think there is no way any sport can match their player’s combination of strength and athleticism, but these rugby players can more than hold their own. We have compiled a list of 15 of the biggest beasts in rugby that easily rival those of the NFL. Keep in mind this list, as with our list of the most jacked players in the NFL could easily have been much longer.

This sport is littered with guys, just like the 15 here. Enough talking. Let’s get to the list. Here are 15 of the biggest beasts in rugby in no particular order.

 

Josua Tuisova

Josua Tuisova

Height: 6’11”   Weight: 249 lbs

Josua is a Fijian rugby union player who is known for his strong running and physical play. Not surprisingly, he is nicknamed ‘The Bus’.

With tree trunk legs like that, I am sure Josua is a really fun guy to bring down. Too bad we couldn’t find any weightlifting numbers for him online. We did find where he was timed running 90 meters in 10 seconds but that was a guesstimate they did using this video which is as unscientific as it gets.

We also found a good highlight video that shows what a beast he is as well. Enjoy!

 

 

Related: Become A Jacked Athlete With The Athlete Build Training Program



Taniela Tupou

Taniela Tupou jacked

Height: 5’10”  Weight: 298lbs

Taniela is a mountain of a man who was born in Tonga and plays tight head prop for the Queensland Red and has played international rugby for Australia.

Unfortunately, we can’t find how much he can lift anywhere on the web, I guarantee it’s a lot though, just look at the traps on that dude!

 

Related: The Most Jacked MMA Fighters

Related: The Most Jacked Players in Major League Baseball

 

Joe Marler

Joe Marler

Height: 6′ 0″  Weight: 250 lbs

No doubt he puts in his time in the weight room, but his beard is almost as badass as his physique. Opposing players should fear the beard or feel it’s wrath!



 

Nemani Nadolo

Embed from Getty Images

Height: 6’5″   Weight: 302lbs

JNemani is another mountain of a man on this list. At 6’5″ he is the tallest athlete on here. He also benches over 450 lbs, according to rugbybypass.com. In this article with rugbypass.com he also says that he is cleaning about 320 lbs (145 kg)and box squatting just under 440 lbs (200 kg)

 

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Manu Tuilagi

Manu Tuilag

Height: 6’0″  Weight: 245lbs

The Samoan is the second of the Tuilagi brothers on this list. He benches 415 lbs and is an absolute animal on the field.



 

Biyi Alo

Embed from Getty Images

Height: 6″3 Weight: 315 lbs

Biyi is an English professional rugby union player who plays for Racing 92. He has also released a couple of hip-hop songs. I’m not sure if his songs are any good, but if they aren’t, I won’t tell him. He benches over 475 lbs (220 kg)

 

Gheorghe Gajion

Gheorghe Gajion

Height: 6’3″ Weight 295

This thick-necked gentleman is known by rugby fans as “The Beast”. Hard to imagine why. Maybe it’s because he reportedly benches over 500 lbs (230 kg). I would say he has certainly earned his nickname.

 

WillGriff John

Embed from Getty Images

Height: 6’2″ Weight: 280 lbs

WillGriff John easily wins the award for the most massive calf muscles on the list. He was born in England and plays for Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship. His playing position is a tighthead prop.

While his calves are massive, his upper body is also quite burly. He can put up an impressive 460 lbs  (210 kg) on the bench press.

 



 

Cian Healy

Embed from Getty Images

 

Height: 6′ 1″   Weight: 256 lbs

Cian is an Irish rugby player with Rugby Union. He is a powerhouse and is also known as a bit of a dirty player. He is getting up there in age though. Retirement coming soon.



 

Sean O’Brien

Sean obrienSean O'brien

Weight: 238 lbs    Height: 6′ 2″

O’Brien is an Irish professional Rugby Union player from Carlow, Ireland. He has been called a rampaging ball of destruction and is know for his barging runs and ball carrying.

 

Related: 10 Exercises Every Rugby Player Should Be Doing

 

Eben Etzebeth

etzebeth

Height: 6′ 8″   Weight: 271 lbs

Eben Etzebeth is a South African Rugby Union footballer. His sheer size is intimidating as hell and the fact that he can bench press 385lbs and do incline dumbbell presses with 175lbs in each hand is flat out scary.

 

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Andrew Porter

Andrew Porter Rugby

Andrew Porter squat

Height: 6′ 0″   Weight: 269 lbs

Andrew Porter is another massive individual. He is an Irish rugby union player for Leinster and Ireland.

He grew up a gym-obsessed teenager who was fixated on bench, squat and deadlift. While he doesn’t really keep track of his max lifts anymore, he is reportedly able to squat 772lb (350kg).



 

Opeti Fonua

Rugby Muscle

Related: Become A Jacked Athlete With The Athlete Build Training Program

 

Height: 6’6″   Weight: 330 lbs

This Tongan born rugby union player who plays for English Premiership Team Leicester Tigers is massive. Not only does he have imposing size, he’s also known for his strength and can bench press 440 lbs. (200kg).

This man hits like a brick $hi+ house. If you don’t believe me watch this video for verification.



 

Sergio Parisse

sergio parisse

Height: 6’5″   Weight: 247 lbs

Sergio is an Italian rugby player who plays for the French club Toulon and is captain of the Italian team.



 

David Pocock

David Peacock

Height: 6’o” Weight: 230 Lbs

Australian rugby union player. He is a Brumbies openside flanker and is vice-captain of the Brumbies.

 

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There it is, in a sport that is full of beasts, we did our best to narrow it down to 15 of the biggest. It wasn’t easy.

If we missed anyone, let us know in the comment section below. We do update the article from time to time, and we take your suggestions into consideration.

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Turner
Turner
August 22, 2022 4:37 pm

“Updated for 2022” lol!

pretty much all of these guys have now retired. Poor journalism.

Docsr
Docsr
July 24, 2022 5:57 am

And liberals want trans men to compete against women? If one of these guys did that, what possible advantage would they have over women? 🙄

Pooky
Pooky
June 5, 2019 9:05 pm

Nemani Nadolo Fiji winger total beast