10. Fran Cotton – “The Lionheart”
Position: Prop
Born: January 18, 1951, England
Caps: 31 (England)
Club Career: Sale Sharks
Cotton was known for his strength and resilience in the scrum. His no-nonsense approach and willingness to engage in physical confrontations made him a standout player during his time.
9. Frank Oliver – “The Otago Enforcer”
Position: Lock
Born: September 18, 1953, New Zealand
Caps: 26 (New Zealand)
Club Career: Otago
Oliver was known for his aggressive playing style and leadership on the field. His confrontational approach and ability to dominate in the lineouts made him a formidable opponent.
8. Colin Meads – “The Legend”
Position: Lock
Born: June 6, 1936, New Zealand
Caps: 55 (New Zealand)
Club Career: King Country, Waikato
Meads is regarded as one of the greatest rugby players of all time. His toughness and leadership on the field set the standard for future generations of rugby players.
7. Buck Shelford – “The Warrior with a Steel Scrotum”
Position: Number 8
Born: April 22, 1957, Auckland, New Zealand
Caps: 68 (New Zealand)
Club Career: North Harbour, New Zealand All Blacks
Buck Shelford wasn’t just hard — he redefined the meaning of toughness in rugby. Captain of the All Blacks in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Shelford was fearless in every facet of the game: tackling, scrummaging, and inspiring his side. He played through injuries that would have sidelined any other man. Most famously, he once continued a Test match after suffering a torn scrotum — a feat that became the stuff of rugby legend. For Shelford, pain was simply part of the job description. He didn’t just play rugby; he went to war with it.
6. Jacques Burger – “The Pitbull”
Position: Flanker
Born: June 23, 1983, Windhoek, Namibia
Caps: 51 (Namibia)
Club Career: Saracens, Stade Français, RC Toulon
Jacques Burger earned a reputation as rugby’s most fearless pitbull. Known for his relentless tackling, he often turned into a human wrecking ball, fearlessly targeting much larger opponents. His commitment was such that teammates joked he was half man, half bulldog — the kind that never lets go. He even once admitted he relished hitting the opposition so hard they “forgot their own names.” Burger’s bravery was more than a reputation — it was a mission.
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