The headgear 23: Is this the best team ever of headgear wearers?

1. Matt Dunning – Australia

While scrummaging is a key criterion for props, who doesn’t want a front rower capable of pulling off big intercepts and kicking drop goals. His accidental drop goal during a Super 12 match against the Chiefs, while sporting his blue and black zebra striped headgear, is an iconic moment in rugby history this century.

Matt Dunning packs down for a scrum. Photo / Photosport

2. Rory Best – Ireland

Usually sporting cloudy white headgear, Best was regarded as an outstanding hooker who played more than 100 tests for Ireland and was part of two British and Irish Lions tours, although he only featured in tour matches.

Rory Best (centre) during a Rugby World Cup match against Samoa. Photo / Getty Images

3. Zander Fagerson – Scotland

Rocking the classic black headgear, Fagerson is a vital player of Scotland’s tight five. Was a tour member of the 2021 British & Irish Lions, and was selected again in 2025, but withdrew from injury.

Tempers flair between Wales’ Liam Williams and Zander Fagerson of Scotland during their Six Nations fixture. Photo / Photosport

4. Victor Matfield – South Africa

Featured heavily in one of the most dominant eras for South African rugby, where he was part of the 2007 World Cup winning Springboks squad, while being a key player for the Bulls during their dominant years in Super Rugby, personally the best team in Super Rugby history in my opinion. He wore a variety of headgear from a Springboks green to one that looked like the South African flag which often had hair tufts sticking out.

Victor Matfield during a test against the All Blacks. Photo / Photosport

5. Maro Itoje – England

It feels like the 31-year-old has been around for an eternity, having been a mainstay in the England side for over a decade, whom he now captains. Was also the captain of the British and Irish Lions, and has played more than 200 games at club level for Saracens. Itoje would often wear a black headgear with white trim.

Maro Itoje of the Lions charges forward against the All Blacks at Westpac Stadium.

6. Thierry Dusautoir – France

This was one of the toughest selections to make with Dusautoir beating his predecessor, Serge Betsen. Dusautoir is a former French captain and was man of the match in a losing defeat in the 2011 World Cup final, which narrowly edges him. The black headgear with green stripe is memorable.

France’s captain Thierry Dusautoir, during the quarterfinal match between England and France at the (RWC) Rugby World Cup in 2011.
Photo / Brett Phibbs

7. Josh Kronfeld – New Zealand

There have been some great openside flankers who have worn headgear for New Zealand, but none wore it longer than Kronfeld, who was known for his speed and work rate at the breakdown. Famously had an anti-nuclear symbol and the words “stop testing” on his headgear during a match with Otago. He would often wear all black headgear or some with Highlanders blue and maroon.

All Blacks’ Josh Kronfeld in action against the Wallabies in Wellington. Photo / Photosport

8. Sean O’Brien – Ireland

While the back of the scrum isn’t his specialist position, the Irishman is capable of filling the void and was one of the most impressive and consistent players under Joe Schmidt’s stewardship. Many All Blacks fans will remember his black headgear as he scored a stunning try in the first Lions test in 2017.

Sean O’Brien scores for the Lions against the All Blacks in 2017. Photo / Photosport

9. Alessandro Troncon – Italy

Finding a halfback who wore headgear regularly during their career was difficult, but the Italian is a worthy inclusion as he became the first person from his country to play 100 caps. Troncon would wear a variety of headgear colours during his career, from grey to white and blue.

Alessandro Troncon during a Heineken Cup match. Photo / AFP

10. Stephen Larkham – Australia

The Wallabies are flush with many past first five-eighths who have donned the headgear, but the current Brumbies coach takes the top prize due to his World Cup and Super Rugby wins. A real icon of Australian rugby with more than 100 tests, where he would often don an all black headgear with the Canterbury logo on the front.

Stephen Larkham … in happier Wallaby times. Photo / Photosport

11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey – France

His bright red headgear is like a superpower, which has seen him continually find the tryline for fun. Has won back-to-back Six Nations Player of the Year titles. At the ripe old age of 22, he could become the greatest headgear wearer of all time.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey of France scores his team’s third try against the Wallabies. Photo / Getty Images

12. Matt Giteau – Australia

Could have played multiple positions but perfectly slots into the one where he’s most recognised. Had plenty of success in Australia with the Brumbies and the national side, while also bringing up more than 100 caps for Toulon in France. Usually wore bright green headgear or occasionally black.

Matt Giteau. Photo / Getty Images

13. Jonathan Davies – Wales

There are many Kiwis who could have slotted in here, including Sam Tuitupou and Norm Berryman, but Davies’ longevity in the national side, experience and the Lions, where he was voted man of the series against the All Blacks in 2017, puts him over the line. Always wore a classic grey headgear.

Jonathan Davies of the Lions fends off All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor. Photosport

14. Cheslin Kolbe – South Africa

When you think of current players who wear headgear, the South African pocket rocket would be one of the first names you think of. Incredibly talented with his footwork and ability in the air. Usually sports a classic black headgear with bright green trim.

Cheslin Kolbe of South Africa beats Damian Penaud of France to score. Photo / Getty Images.

15. Leigh Halfpenny – Wales

There are many players active who could have taken this spot, but his longevity over the years playing at the highest level for Wales and the Lions, along with his goal kicking abilities makes him worthy of selection. Would always wear black headgear, sometimes with red tie on the back.

Leigh Halfpenny in action for the Crusaders. Photo / Photosport

Reserves

16. Andrew Hore – New Zealand

One of the more recent All Blacks to wear the headgear, and a member of the 2011 World Cup winning side. A classic black was always best for Hore.

Andrew Hore. Photo / Getty Images

17. Mike Ross – Ireland

The Irishman was a stalwart in the front row after making his debut in 2009, winning two Six Nations titles, and was a prominent player for Leinster. Was a fan of the black headgear.

Mike Ross competes for the ball with Scotland’s Tim Visser. Photo / Photosport

18. Euan Murray – Scotland

The prop was one of two Scots selected for the Lions tour of 2009 and at the backend of his career, didn’t play on Sundays, citing religious reasons. Was a wearer of black or grey headgear or sometimes a combination of both.

Euan Murray. Photo / Photosport

19. Nathan Sharpe – Australia

The bright blue headgear immediately comes to mind when thinking of the towering lock. A player who led with his actions and was a mainstay in the Wallabies side for many years. A master at the lineout.

Nathan Sharpe. Photo / Getty Images

20. Manuel Zuliani – Italy

There are many great loose forwards who could take this spot, and maybe there is some recency bias with this selection, but the 25-year-old has quickly become one of my favourite players to watch with his white headgear.

Italy’s Manuel Zuliani runs for a try against Namibia. Photo / AP

21. Isaac Boss – Ireland

The Kiwi-turned-Irish international often donned black headgear during the latter years of his career in Europe and New Zealand.

Isaac Boss during the Ranfurly Shield match against Wanganui at Memorial Park, Cambridge in 2016. Photo / www.photosport.nz

22. Bruce Reihana – New Zealand

Despite playing two tests and being part of two Commonwealth Games’ golds, Reihana was more well known for his endeavours with the Northampton Saints, but his headgear was often iconic – black on the outside, green down the centre with yellow trim.

Bruce Reihana during his time with Northampton. Photo / Photosport

23. Darcy Graham – Scotland

The Scotland winger is one of these guys who always starts the game with headgear, but you can never guarantee it will still be on by the end. Has recently pulled away from Duhan van der Merve to become Scotland’s all-time try scorer with his black headgear and white trim.

Darcy Graham against the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.