5 John Eales and David Giffin

Eales and Giffin partnered for Australia between 1995 and 1999, including the 1999 World Cup triumph. Giffin’s injury ruled him out of the final, but his earlier performances were vital.

Together, they featured in Bledisloe Cup clashes and the 1997 Lions series. A key moment was the semi-final win over South Africa in 1999, built on the foundations their partnership had laid.

4 Willie John McBride and Gordon Brown

This Lions pairing featured prominently on the 1974 tour of South Africa. McBride captained the side, while Brown provided stability across Tests and provincial matches. Their influence peaked during the unbeaten tour, especially the infamous Battle of Boet Erasmus.

Brown’s composure balanced McBride’s authority, helping the Lions maintain control amid chaos. That tour remains the benchmark for collective forward dominance and leadership.

3 Martin Johnson and Ben Kay

England’s first-choice locks from 1997 to 2004, Johnson and Kay were inseparable during the 2003 World Cup win. They featured in all the knockout matches, including the final against Australia.

Johnson captained the side; Kay called the lineout. Their defining moments came in grinding victories over France and New Zealand, where control and discipline mattered most. Together, they embodied England’s hard-edged, organised identity.

2 Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick

From 2012 to 2023, Whitelock and Retallick were the All Blacks’ default pairing. They won back-to-back World Cups in 2011 and 2015, started the 2015 final, and featured heavily in Rugby Championship dominance. Retallick’s Player of the Year award in 2014 highlighted their peak.

Their longevity was remarkable, with key moments spread across countless Tests where New Zealand’s set piece never wavered.

1 Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha

South Africa’s defining lock pairing from 2001 to 2011, Matfield and Botha were central to the 2007 World Cup victory. They dominated the 2009 British & Irish Lions series and multiple Tri Nations campaigns. Matfield’s lineout excellence complemented Botha’s physical presence.

A defining moment came in the 2007 semi-final win over Argentina, where their control and intimidation set the platform for ultimate success.

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