Top five rugby interviews of all time
Great characters, epic one-liners and general rugby banter is the stuff of dreams for rugby journalists and fans alike.
In a sport brimming with unique individuals operating at the highest level, the opportunity for a great press conference moment is always just around the corner.
So without further ado here are our top five Rugby interviews of all time.
5. Joe Marler – Goes full anchorman
Harlequins and England prop Joe Marler is one of the games unique characters on many fronts. From his distinctive mohawk hairstyles to his hilarious one-liners that get caught on the ref mics, the big man is a real favourite amongst English rugby supporters. Whilst there were certainly plenty of Marler clips to choose from, his interview in the wake of Harlequins 2021 Premiership victory comes out on top. Picking up his second premiership title, Marler was voted man of the match and as such had to give the customary interview. In front of a group of raucous fans he delivered an interview even the great Brick Tamland from anchorman would be proud of.
4. Brendan Venter – three cheers for Sireli Bobo!
Another South African coach cracks the top five of our best press conference questions. Former Springbok centre Brendan Venter is widely regarded as one of the games great characters. A qualified doctor and world class coach, Venter is one of the most eloquently spoken people in the game. A fact that many would not have realised had they only seen this interview with Sky Sports in the wake of Saracens loss to Racing Metro in the Heineken Cup. Venter was the head coach of the London club at the time and had previously been reprimanded for criticising referees. In a clear effort to avoid discussing match officials or any real points from the fixture, he put on tape one of the funniest post-match interviews you will find.
3. Brian O’Driscoll – The infamous tomato comment
As far as witty one liner go, Irish legend Brian O’Driscoll is up there with the best of them. Correctly identified as one of the main catalysts for Ireland’s transformation from amateur nearly rans to world class professionals. The former Ireland captain is regarded as one of the best players in history. The incident in question here was in relation to another legend of the game in England’s World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson. The two men toured together for the British & Irish Lions in 2001 as they took on reigning World Champions Australia. In addition to this they also shared a sponsor, in a rather disparaging way a journalist can be heard asking “what do you make of what’s his name, the English fella.” O’Driscoll clearly felt the question did not warrant a valid response and as such came up with one of the greatest responses in press conference history.
2. Rassie Erasmus – Tackle technique
The infamous shoulder charge by England captain Owen Farrell on South Africa’s Andre Esterhuizen lives in the memory of many Bok fans. In the 82nd minute with England holding a one-point advantage, Farrell lined Esterhuizen up. The tackle that followed was dubious to say the least and left fans debating its legality. Referee Angus Gardener felt it fit not to award the penalty and the rest as they say is history as England held on for the win. The real fireworks were still to come as the charismatic Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus took the incident and ran with it. Starting at the press conference where Erasmus ran with the fact that the referee did not award a penalty and as such it must’ve been a good tackle. The Bok maestro went as far as to suggest that his side would start practicing the same form of tackle technique if it was legal. In the ensuring days Erasmus would release a hilarious video in response to the incident which can be seen below.
1. Nick Cummins – Most Aussie man alive
A Rugby icon the world over for his incredible post-match press conferences, former Wallaby winger Nick Cummins tops our list for post-match interviews. Playing for perennial Super Rugby strugglers the Western Force, Cummins came out with the greatest post-match interview in the sports history. In an interview filled with hysterical innuendos, bizarre references and a hilarious story about a honey badger, Cummins showed just why every Rugby fan the world over loves him. Off the field the honey badger is a fantastic human being having forfeited his international career to play in Japan to assist his family financially with some serious health issues his two younger siblings were facing. As rugby fans it was a real shame to see such a fantastic player and incredible character leave the spotlight so early, but the reasoning once reaffirmed the high esteem in which he is held in the game.
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments