Who will make it into Jim Hamilton and Andy Powell's Toughest XV?
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I wouldn't be surprised if this was filmed at 3am in the morning after Jim and Andy had been on a bar crawl and are now sat down at home sobering up a little bit
True but I bet Jim wouldn't keep up with Andy lol
The good bad and the rugby have to win the prize for DUI rugby podcasts in the RWC, was embarrassingly sloppy
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 🙂
Don't forget about "Lem" Henry Honiball, most feared number 10
nah, not james, a great player and a scrapper, but not in this team.
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
@@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.
@@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.
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!
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!!
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 :)
same with Schalk Burger
He has a very sad story after rugby 😮 Terrible the way that PI players have been exploited.
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...!
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
Smashed his upper palette too
That story about him seeing himself up is true. I was there. Playing for London Welsh vs, I think Bedford at Old Deer Park.
I've seen some of the footage of those tackles. Took em and just kept on playing. He surely was tough as nails.
Buck Shelford lost a bollock ,sewed the satchel up and got stuck in as if he hadnt just lost a bollock.
the "lets have a beer" at the end is gold
I could listen to Andy and his stories for hours. What a character.
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!
joost enters the chat*
Stringer brought him down
@whybother now He’s talking about when Ireland played the All Blacks at the time.
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
@@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.
juan smit at 7 is apparently one of the toughest to ever play, goes under the radar though
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?
Joost Van der westhuizen was the hardest scrum half for me what a player
Turned the 1998 test against the AB's in Durban when he came on
Joost was like an extra forward but Faf is no lightweight 😂
How many tries did Joost score ? He is our best scrum half of all time IMO
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!"
@@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
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.
Jerry Collins !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the machine
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!
He wasn't a hard guy though
Morgan you’re right. Eating a left hook from the 110 kegs of Samoan power that is manu Tuilagi… basically a fairy
@@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 😂
Not a chance. Ashton? I genuinely can’t believe someone could think he’s tough.
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 .
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.
Winterbottom? Anyone else remember him? Took no prisoners, ever - just a quiet destroyer.
Good 👉 👍
Yes another farmer - a nugget
No Martin Johnson - come on
@@chrisbaxter3597 I would rather have the Blackpool policeman.
@@leplessis8179 Wade Dooley - yes he took no prisoners 😄
Cant believe Jim Hamilton didnt know Simon Geoghegan. What an incredible winger he was.
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 !?
Got no time for players who eye gauge. Should never have been allowed to set foot on any pitches after he done that, shameful.
@@johnmitchell2269 we are talking hard not decent
That’s not what tough means.
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....
When it comes to tough ! Martin Johnson and John Eales were just different level! Eben Etzebeth is carrying on from them ..
Great that they put Jonah at 11. Absolute legend of rugby!!! I'd have Joost at 9
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.
Grewcock wasn’t tough……he was just a thug.
Awesome pack! Only change I would make is Henry tuilagi at 8 and Jerry Collins at 6 💥.
Good shout! And his ‘little’ brother (Alesana) HAS to be in at wing, pairing with Jonah.
Jerome Kaino every day, twice on sunday
Have you guys never heard of Terry Holmes...Welsh 9 during 80s..awesome player
Shoe in at 9
Didn't do well at RL though.
He’s no Joost
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.
Henry Honiball at 10 by miles ..Opponents genuinely feared him.
Honorable Pontypridd mention. Love it
Henry Tuilagi must be in with a shout
Alesana as well.
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.
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.
Catt was run over by a combine harvester!
I like it
My 1st season, in the 90s was as a prop and 2nd rows were always punching through
Love the podcast.
James Small from SA also tackled the great Jomo lono
when he was poisoned..
@@powerbite92 yes...we poison everyone. This is why no team ever has won in SA. Dork.
Hard as nails and knew how to have a good time.
No one cares about SA
@@xxxWheelchairsxxx313 Really 😂 ? Good one mate 😅
That was brilliant 😂😂😂
Paul O' Connell ?
I'm a Saffa, completely agree with Scott Gibbs!
Agreed. Anyone who can run over the mighty Os Du Rant, deserves praise.
Putting an image of your team out at the end would have been great.
Difficult to believe they didn't have Buck Shelford at 6 or 8... (despite decent picks they did make)
Tough 10, Butch James also to consider if looking at tough. Might get carded but can make a hit
There’s tougher 10s from South Africa. Henry Honiball, Frans Steyn.
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.
Buck Shelford, Willie Duggan, Andy Haden and Brian Lima.
Surely Henry Tuilagi at 8 absolute beast.
Jacques Burger at 7
Wade Dooley at 4.
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
I would’ve had Henry Tuilagi at eight with JC at six and would’ve put Lewsey on the wing
Good call on Lewsey - best tackler, ever.
Lewsey was nails tbf
Lewis Mad Dog Moody.
Huge fan of BOD but should be Danie Gerber at 13. Hard AF and ridiculously talented
The best Bok centre of all time !
Remember him well, stunning player
Exactly like BOD so
Awesome team
Pontypool Front Row are shoo-ins. Feared in their day, time transported to today, would still be feared.
Surprised deacon didn’t get a mention. If it’s about to start up on the field you’re gonna want that left uppercut.
He's on the bench along with Henry Tuilagi
Ellis Genge? Frank Bunce? Sonny Bill? Tuigamala? Brian Lima? Alesana Tuilagi? If we’re talking wrecking ball wild men?
Bunce was like terminator...u couldnt damage him and his hair never moved
Tough wing that will fit right into this 15 - James Small
Brian Lima on the wing
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
And Butch James?
@@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
James Small on the wing. Crazy tough
I'll swap out Alun Wyn for Martin Johnson and Simon Geoghegan for Josh Lewsey - and maybe Drico for Brian Lima
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.
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.
Never been a tougher no. 10 than Butch James. Nobody wanted to run down his channel
LEM WAS TOUGHER
When it the full episode
8 has to be Buck Shelford, nobody else even comes close
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.
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…)
Butch James at 10.
How can you forget about Sebastian Chabel
Lol Jim said he’s a fake tough guy in the past
@@alanb9443 fake tough guy 😂 he smashed any player who ran at him. Make Jerry Collins look like an amateur
@@ethanmcmahon7343 Munster made mincemeat of him a couple of times and targeted him with Sale. Massive lad, no necessarily hard
@@ethanmcmahon7343 I think you're getting confused with Chris Masoe. Jerry ruined Chabal
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
Missing some players here...Chabal, Butch James, Henry Honibal, James Small, Bismarck du plesis, Joost van der westhuisen, Chris Latham, Kevin mealamu, Dough Howlett...
you should do a hardest NH team against the hardest SH team. Call outs for Peter Clohessy, Martin Johnson, Paul O'Connell and Grewcock
Chuck Julian white, Graeme Dawe and mike Teague in there for good measure.
Cant believe you didn't have Tuilagi on the wing in his Samoan shirt close lining and punching people
Butch James and Danny Grewcock were 2 names I was expecting
Danny is a good shout, loved the way he played, never not involved.
Most powerful 8- Vermuelen and Zinzan Brooke. Easy picks. Kieran Reid too.
Owen Finnegan was a tough bastard
I can’t believe Henry or Alessana Tuilagi didn’t make this team 😂😂
I’d love to watch this team in action.
Also consider Martin Johnson at 4.
Good banter, makes a change to the usual 'Lions XV' chat, but no Buck Shelford?
A Tuilagi on the wing definitely.
If you had James Small on the other wing, I would be afraid team mates would be getting into brawls😂
Marc Jones wales rugby league and Union back row from 90s hard as nails
Martin Johnson in the back row
Allasandro Troncon at 9. Granite.
Julian White as a tight head, not a loose head.
Tonu'u was a beast
Shane Horgan was the only player I've seen put jonah into touch
Watch the 95 RWC final again. Plenty of Saffas put the big guy down but may e he was at 50% from food poisoning 😅
Frank Bunce and Scotty Gibbs pairing
Mick The Munch should've made it into this team.
Still waiting for your book to come out Mr Powell come on it be a right crack
James Dalton at 2
Serge Betsen should be on the list he could tackle Jesus
What about ‘The Chiropractor’ Brian Lima at 12?
Surprised Manu tuilagi on Chris Ashton didn't warrant a mention
Henry"Lem"Honiball at 10 if you please lads
Other decent SA options: 2. Bismark du Plessis 7. Corne Krige 10. Butch James 12. De Wet Barry.
10. Henry Honiball
Toughest Squad: 1 - Add South African 😂 2 - Trevor Leota 3 - Add other South African 🤣 4 - Brad Thorne 5 - Bakkis Botha 6 - Jerry Collins 7 - Schalk Burger 8 - Henry Tuilagi 9 - Kahn Fotualii 10 - Johnny Wilkinson 11 - Jonah Lomu 12 - Ma’a Nonu 13 - Jaque Fourie 14 - Joshua Tuisova 15 - Izzy Folau
The claw has to be on any hardest team
Jaques Burger at 7
Butch James at 10? He'd be a good shout for tough i reckon
Butch at 10 🤌
Johnny Wilkinson was one I guessed!
David Bishop at 9.
How do you leave Martin Johnson out of a team of hard men? Juan Smith was hard as nails too. Jerry Collins and Schalk Burger in the same team would have been dead opponents on the field! 😂
Great craic
Butch James and ma’a nonu. Maybe de villiers at 13? Tuisova and any of the tuilagis too.
Also never mind geoghan i remember ben tune hammering lomu