Who Do You Think Is The Hardest Player From The Northen Hemisphere Teams

by C'mon You Irish on Sun Jul 24, 2011 3:01 pm

Has to be the ginger nutter Paul O'Connell just ask that french lad from Clermont for prove

by Notch on Sun Jul 24, 2011 3:10 pm

Canadian lad Rolling Eyes

by C'mon You Irish on Sun Jul 24, 2011 3:18 pm

Notch my bad dont get your knickers in a twist

by GeordieFalcon on Sun Jul 24, 2011 3:57 pm

I think mapusua is a hard fella...but i wouldnt like to say who THE hardest is....in the North

by Notch on Sun Jul 24, 2011 4:08 pm

Actually, said Canadian you mention is Jamie Cudmore. Big guy, as locks tend to be of course, and before he became a professional rugby player he was a debt collector for a drug dealer in his home town Shocked

Not necessarily a guy I'd mess with... unless I were Paul O'Connell that is. If he's not the 'hardest' he's the dirtiest.

by funnyExiledScot on Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:29 pm

Ali Strokosch looks pretty terrifying, and he's got some martial art black belt as well apparently. Not a silky ball player, but he sticks that big bald head of his into some nasty places.

by greybeard on Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:32 pm

Any scrum half (in his own mind)

by wrfc1980 on Sun Jul 24, 2011 7:00 pm

Courtney Lawes is a bit of a beast.

by Bazzer79 on Sun Jul 24, 2011 10:17 pm

Alessana Tuilagi?

Maybe Manu in a few years time?

by glamorganalun on Sun Jul 24, 2011 11:22 pm

Andy Powell has to be the thickest!

by timbob on Mon Jul 25, 2011 12:07 am

Chris Hala'ufia of London Irishs back row is supposed to be a tough cookie.

by Gibson on Mon Jul 25, 2011 12:28 am

Trevor Brennan. was. Followed by MJ and Dayglo.

by geoff998rugby on Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:46 am

Well POC was in awe of Ferris strength as he has publically stated.

Brennan wasn't hard he was just a thug - an important difference

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler on Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:53 am

Danny Ciprianai :facepalm:

by formerly known as Sam on Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:54 am

Louis Deacon, to continue playing with constant back pain (requiring specially ordered extra thick 6 inch needles) and still manage to produce the form of your career. Also note after he went off vs Leinster the Tigers started to lose out at the breakdown and lineout. Very tough but not very agressive, well he doesn't get seen being agressive.

Cudmore is a bit of a thug but he is nails. POC is also pretty reknowned for not taking a backward step. Agree totally re. scrum halves.

by Cumbrian on Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:13 am

My Dad, he could knock them all out.

by robbo277 on Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:51 am

Sheridan had shoulder surgery and broke the blade. Julian White has floored him though.

by Jenifer McLadyboy on Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:57 am

Sean O'Brien. He'll give you spuds!

by ScarletSpiderman on Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:01 am

I am not sure if it is classed as the hardest but I remember after the Scarlets played Glasgow, i believe, Rob McCusker being interviewed. They asked him about the game getting a bit rough, and he replied along the lines of " well we are lucky, when a game gets a bit 'fruity' like that its nice to know you have someone like Morgan Stoddart on your side". I appreciate that doesn't mean he is the hardest player in the Scarlets side, but it isn't very often you hear a backrower saying that they are glad there is a fullback they can count on if things turn punchy.

by Sin é on Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:19 am

Hard men - I'd rate Nathan Hines. Wouldn't take a step backwards.
Mal O'Kelly has a fairly impressive jaw.

None as hard as the Claw or MJ.

Ferris is a pussycat - hard men don't get gouged.

Earls took on the Clermont Hooker in one game - thought that was impressive for a back.

by polotechnics on Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:20 am

Stoddard is a punchy character by all accounts, as too is fighty Phillips.

Garath Thomas was a hard man - no jokes about in the showers.

I never saw him take a backward step - no jokes about back doors etc.

by Guest on Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:24 am

Re. Mike Phillips

I'm not sure you can count yourself as tough if you get pinned down by a chubby McDonald's bouncer!

by formerly known as Sam on Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:25 am

Julian White is of course a reknowned boxer and is pretty damn hard. However, the Leinster lock DOC (is it?) who took the haymaker to the temple and only stepped back before carrying on without any treatment. Respect for that, not quite so much for respect for what he did to incite the punch (rumours I hasten to add) but to take a full on haymaker and not go down or even stop for water is pretty hard, especially since it only took a jab from White to knock down Sheridan.

by OnASideNote on Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:28 am

Notch wrote:Actually, said Canadian you mention is Jamie Cudmore. Big guy, as locks tend to be of course, and before he became a professional rugby player he was a debt collector for a drug dealer in his home town

Wow Notch, this clearly isn't 606 or that comment wouldn't have lasted kissing time. Very Happy

Sin é wrote:

Earls took on the Clermont Hooker in one game - thought that was impressive for a back.

Yeah but look where Earlsys from Laugh

by rodders on Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:37 am

Sean O'Brien looks like he can handle himself.

Neil Best may not be the biggest but as keith wood himself said he has a "deranged" look about him and he tends not to come off 2nd best when the fists start flying.

Stephen Ferris and Courney Lawes are a couple of guys you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of and Ferris has stated on a number of occaisions how much he enjoys hurting people on the pitch.

by Jenifer McLadyboy on Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:38 am

formerly known as Sam wrote:Julian White is of course a reknowned boxer and is pretty damn hard. However, the Leinster lock DOC (is it?) who took the haymaker to the temple and only stepped back before carrying on without any treatment. Respect for that, not quite so much for respect for what he did to incite the punch (rumours I hasten to add) but to take a full on haymaker and not go down or even stop for water is pretty hard, especially since it only took a jab from White to knock down Sheridan.

Mal O'Kelly. Doc is from Munster.
Sheridan is probably the least hard person that can bench 200KG since the dawn of time. Heard he missed games because of insect bites or something.

by Backrower678 on Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:44 am

Chris Ashton?!! Run

by OnASideNote on Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:47 am

ROG???

Tho, the amount of times hes flattened and gets back up bloodied and bruised means to me that hes well 'ard!!

All joking apart, its impressive.

by propdavid_london on Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:58 am

Maurie Faasavalou - made a real impact this season for quins.

Nick Abendanon, sure he has his faults - but that guy took huge hits this season in domestic and H-cup matches, was really targeted and still finished.

Chris Ashton for not going down after that punch from Manu.

Carlo Nieto - manimal

by Sin é on Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:31 pm

OnASideNote wrote:ROG???

Tho, the amount of times hes flattened and gets back up bloodied and bruised means to me that hes well 'ard!!

All joking apart, its impressive.

Actually, Rua Tipoki said that ROG was the hardest man he has ever come across after seeing some Clermont backrower stamp him on his head (and was later suspended for), ROG picked himself up, and calmly took the 3pts.

He later got 18 stitches in his head and ended up wearing a bandage for the entire 6Ns after that.

by thebandwagonsociety on Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:38 pm

Attoub, Cudmore, Hines, POC, Servat, Flannery, White

Think it tends to be the tight five that bring the hardness to a team. Though when I think back, it usually is a prop or a second row (Claw, Mal, etc)

by OnASideNote on Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:43 pm

Sin é wrote:
OnASideNote wrote:ROG???

Tho, the amount of times hes flattened and gets back up bloodied and bruised means to me that hes well 'ard!!

All joking apart, its impressive.

Actually, Rua Tipoki said that ROG was the hardest man he has ever come across after seeing some Clermont backrower stamp him on his head (and was later suspended for), ROG picked himself up, and calmly took the 3pts.

He later got 18 stitches in his head and ended up wearing a bandage for the entire 6Ns after that.

Did you know ROG's sun is called Rua?

by Sin é on Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:47 pm

OnASideNote wrote:
Sin é wrote:
OnASideNote wrote:ROG???

Tho, the amount of times hes flattened and gets back up bloodied and bruised means to me that hes well 'ard!!

All joking apart, its impressive.

Actually, Rua Tipoki said that ROG was the hardest man he has ever come across after seeing some Clermont backrower stamp him on his head (and was later suspended for), ROG picked himself up, and calmly took the 3pts.

He later got 18 stitches in his head and ended up wearing a bandage for the entire 6Ns after that.

Did you know ROG's sun is called Rua?

Yes. I wonder does the kid have red hair?

by nottins_jones on Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:49 pm

Ireland - Paul O'Connell
France - Sebastien Chabal
Wales - Paul James
England - Tom Palmer
New Zealand - Brad Thorn
South Africa - Bakkies Botha
Australia - Digby Iaone (yes a winger!) Could have picked anyone from their back-row though aswell.

by formerly known as Sam on Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:59 pm

Nick Abendanon, sure he has his faults - but that guy took huge hits this season in domestic and H-cup matches, was really targeted and still finished.

Chris Ashton for not going down after that punch from Manu

Chris Ashton satyed up long enough for Hartley to hold him up and then went to floor to receive treatment. Wouldn't say he was that hard but obviously not a softy.

Nick Abendanon is just a glutton for punishment. The Tuilagi brothers hammered him in the game at the Rec (a customary shoulder from Alesana included as well). Got quite a bit of treatment but lasted a good hour before leaving the field and then rejoining it for the scrap (started by wannabe hardman and general embarrassment Butch James). Never got suspended for that though, ho hum I'm sure if it was a Tigers player and media caught hold of it he'd have received five or so weeks minimum.

by OnASideNote on Mon Jul 25, 2011 2:06 pm

Sin é wrote:
OnASideNote wrote:
Sin é wrote:
OnASideNote wrote:ROG???

Tho, the amount of times hes flattened and gets back up bloodied and bruised means to me that hes well 'ard!!

All joking apart, its impressive.

Actually, Rua Tipoki said that ROG was the hardest man he has ever come across after seeing some Clermont backrower stamp him on his head (and was later suspended for), ROG picked himself up, and calmly took the 3pts.

He later got 18 stitches in his head and ended up wearing a bandage for the entire 6Ns after that.

Did you know ROG's sun is called Rua?

Yes. I wonder does the kid have red hair?

Dunno, dont think so. I suspect hes named after Tipoki.

by RubyGuby on Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:02 pm

I can't see anyone as hard as Twelve trees thumbsup

by narmstrong on Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:05 pm

I don't know if we're counting past players as well, but this image has always stuck with me. I don't think there's too many other players in the world that would still try to join the defensive line with a head injury like this

by RubyGuby on Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:07 pm

Then again Jamie played on with a fractured skull after nailing that very tough Aussie captain thumbsup

by Mickado on Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:12 pm

narmstrong wrote:I don't know if we're counting past players as well, but this image has always stuck with me. I don't think there's too many other players in the world that would still try to join the defensive line with a head injury like this

Hickie is one of my favourite players of all time and I hate to burst your bubble but he didn’t rejoin the defensive line after that. He went off to be stitched up and Geordan Murphy came on and set up a try. Hickie is a legend all the same.

by D24tress on Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:18 pm

Hardness isnt about who can throw a punch, its about throwing your body in where others wouldnt

two people who stand out for me are king jonny and lewis moody
both english might be surprising from an irishman but i just think they were machines in there prime, never been a harder 10 then jonny

by red_stag on Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:23 pm

Gloucester's Jim Hamilton is right up there for me.

by rodders on Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:26 pm

D24tress wrote:Hardness isnt about who can throw a punch, its about throwing your body in where others wouldnt

two people who stand out for me are king jonny and lewis moody
both english might be surprising from an irishman but i just think they were machines in there prime, never been a harder 10 then jonny

I agree but if that is the criteria then O'Driscoll needs to be mentioned too. O'Driscoll, along with the players you've mentioned, is the most committed player I've seen.

by pete (buachaill on eirne) on Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:28 pm

BOD, the amount of times he has got late hits and kept going, or has thrown up and kept going or his knee has been in tatters and he ha kept going

by OnASideNote on Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:29 pm

D24tress wrote:Hardness isnt about who can throw a punch, its about throwing your body in where others wouldnt

two people who stand out for me are king jonny and lewis moody
both english might be surprising from an irishman but i just think they were machines in there prime, never been a harder 10 then jonny

On your logic, i say ROG is as tough as those two, a doormat he may be but he never shirks the tackle.

Slightly off topic, but I notice players in possession of the ball are getting into the habit of 'protecting the ball' by charging into the tackling player leading with their elbow. Does this leave a bad taste in others mouths as it does in mine?

by narmstrong on Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:38 pm

Mickado wrote:
narmstrong wrote:I don't know if we're counting past players as well, but this image has always stuck with me. I don't think there's too many other players in the world that would still try to join the defensive line with a head injury like this

Hickie is one of my favourite players of all time and I hate to burst your bubble but he didn’t rejoin the defensive line after that. He went off to be stitched up and Geordan Murphy came on and set up a try. Hickie is a legend all the same.

The highlights are at the link below (remove spaces), you can see him running past to answer Stringers call for defenders just over 3 mins into the footage. Granted advantage has been called, but it still takes some serious brass.

http: //news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6321433 . stm

by BATH_BTGOG on Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:38 pm

There is a bloke on youtube who looks as though he has half his calf muscle hanging off, he just pulls his sock up and plays on.

by D24tress on Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:43 pm

OnASideNote wrote:
D24tress wrote:Hardness isnt about who can throw a punch, its about throwing your body in where others wouldnt

two people who stand out for me are king jonny and lewis moody
both english might be surprising from an irishman but i just think they were machines in there prime, never been a harder 10 then jonny

On your logic, i say ROG is as tough as those two, a doormat he may be but he never shirks the tackle.

Slightly off topic, but I notice players in possession of the ball are getting into the habit of 'protecting the ball' by charging into the tackling player leading with their elbow. Does this leave a bad taste in others mouths as it does in mine?

agreed people like rog and shane williams who get targeted by professional bulldozers week in week out are as hard as nails in my book.

Could you imagine if you were wee shanes size and tuilagi was coming at you
I'd let loose in my pants and shane put the head down and goes for the tackle

by C'mon You Irish on Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:53 pm

lol I wonder if Ashton still has nightmares about Rog owning him

by OnASideNote on Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:59 pm

C'mon You Irish wrote:lol I wonder if Ashton still has nightmares about Rog owning him

One of the funniest things I saw was an interview with Nathan Hines when he blushed and said words along the lines of "i was not expecting ROG of all people to put me on my back".

He doesn't do it often so I think when he does we tend to notice Laugh