The top ten rugby families of all time
As they saying goes “It runs in the family” unfortunately most of us mere mortals this is not the case! In the case of these special individuals rugby is in the genes and really is the family business.
Whether it is making a bone crunching hit or simply being a magician with ball in hand, these families have it all.
So let’s dive right into it and take a look at the top 10 Rugby families of all time.
10. The Wallaces
The Wallace brothers are three brothers from Cork Ireland who all represented Ireland and The British & Irish Lions. Richard who is the eldest was a winger, Paul the middle was a prop and David the youngest was a backrow forward. Richard is the current all-time highest try scorer for an Irish 7’s player at the Rugby World Cup 7’s with ten tries. Paul was a starting prop for the Lions in their famous victory over the World Champion Springboks in the 1997 tour of South Africa. David is regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest ever backrow forwards and also won two Heineken Champions Cups with Munster as well as the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009.
9. The Ntamacks
Brothers Emile and Francis Ntamack represented Toulouse and France in late 90s into the early 2000s. Emile is regarded as one of the finest attacking players that France has ever produced which is saying something considering their storied history. Playing primarily in the centres he could also play in the back three positions with equal comfort. As captain of Toulouse, he became the first man to lift the Heineken Cup as the French giants won the inaugural tournament in 1996. International he was a member of France’s Six Nations Grand Slam winning side of 1997 and played in both the 1995 and 1999 Rugby World Cups. As a coach Emile led France to the U21 World Cup in 2006 as they became the first northern hemisphere team to win the tournament. Francis was a one-time capped French number eight earning his lone cap against South Africa in 2001. Whilst his international career was short lived, his club career was a long and storied one. Starting at Toulouse in 1991 and finishing Blagnac in 2010. Most recently he has been in the role of head coach for the Madagascar national team. Romain who is the son of Emile is the current first choice flyhalf for both Toulouse and the French national team. In partnership with Antoine Dupont, they form one of the best attacking halfback partnerships in the game. Romain is known as a dangerous runner of the ball but also possess a strong tactical kicking game. His career resume to date his highly impressive and includes Six Nations Grand Slams at both U20 and senior level as well as an U20 World Championships title. At club level he has won both the Heineken Champions Cup and Top14 titles for Toulouse. With France hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Ntamack looks set to play a crucial role as the hosts look to win the global tournament for the first time in their history.
8. The Bergamascos
Italy’s most famous Rugby family the Bergamascos are known for their feisty, passionate and confrontational style of play. Arturo, who is the father, was backrow for Italy in the 1970s making four appearances for the Azzuri. At club level he won two Italian championships, firstly with Rovigo and later with Petrarca. His sons Mauro and Mirco were stalwarts for their national side throughout the 2000s. Older brother Mauro who earned 106 caps for Italy was a sensational backrow who when partnered with Sergio Parisse and Alessandro Zanni gave Italy one of the best backrows in World Rugby. Mirco was just short of 100 Italian caps as he ended his career with 96 appearances for his country. Initially being viewed as back three player, Mirco shifted to the inside position for the 2006 Six Nations a tournament which he would be one of the best players. In 2011 he was instrumental in one of Italy’s most famous victories as he kicked eight penalties to give the Azzuri a first ever Six Nations victory over France. He is also a dual code international having represented the Italian Rugby League team in five test matches in the 2016/17 season as they pushed for World Cup qualification.
7. The Giteaus
Matt and Kristy Giteau are both former Australian professional Rugby players. Matt is a Wallabies centurion having represented them 103 times. His impact on Australian Rugby was so great that it forced Rugby Australia to change its rules with regards to picking players who were not based in Australia. The Giteau rule as it became known allowed the Wallabies coach to pick overseas based players with over 60 caps. The rule certainly paid dividends as the Wallabies reached the 2015 World Cup final where they came up just short against an All-Blacks squad filled with future Hall of Fame players. Kristy was a winger for the Australian national team the Wallaroos. She was a member of the 2010 team that finished 3rd place at the 2010 World Cup. As her career wound down, Kristy found great success as part of the highly successful Australian touch rugby team.
6. The Hastings
Brothers Gavin and Scott were stalwarts of a successful Scotland team throughout the 90s. Both brothers represented the British and Irish Lions and were part of the Scotland team that came within a penalty kick of the 1991 World Cup Final. The brothers were renowned for their attacking flair and educated kicking games. Until 2008 Gavin held the Scottish points record with 667 International points, a figure which was surpassed by Chris Paterson. Gavin’s son Adam is a current Scotland international flyhalf who plays his club rugby for English Premiership side Gloucester.
5. The Vunipolas
Fe?ao, Elisi and Manu are all former Tongan international rugby players who have all played at Rugby World Cups. Manu the eldest was a scrumhalf in his playing days and has since gone on to coach the Tongan sevens team. Currently he is the Tongan Minister of Sport. Fe?ao was a hooker and played at both the 1995 and 1999 World Cups. In 1998 he signed for Welsh side Pontypridd where his family settled. Elisi who is the youngest of the brothers was a flyhalf for Tonga at both the 1995 and 1999 World Cups. Elisi also played for ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby before joining the Bay of Plenty in the New Zealand competition. Fe?ao’s sons Mako and Billy are star players for both their club Saracens and international side England. Billy who is renowned as one of the most physical number eights in World Rugby has played for England 64 times at the time of writing and was selected to tour with the 2017 British & Irish Lions. Unfortunately, he had to withdraw from the squad due to injury. Older brother Mako is a dynamic loosehead prop who is sitting on 70 England caps and has played for Lions on 9 occasions on their successful tours of Australia in 2013 and New Zealand in 2017. As key members of Saracens the brothers have won both the English Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup. Elise’s son Manu plays alongside his cousins a Saracens, following in his father’s footsteps he is a flyhalf. Whilst has not made a senior debut for the England national side he has represented them at both U18 and U20 levels.
4. The Whitelocks
Headlined by senior All Black Sam, the four Whitelock brothers have each enjoyed successful professional careers. Sam, who is currently the second most, capped All Black of all time, remains an integral cog in the international game. Sitting 14 caps shy of the legendary Richie McCaw on 134, Sam looks set to take the record by the time he retires. Eldest brother George is a one time All Black backrow who had a stellar career for both Canterbury and the Crusaders. The only backline player in the family, Adam was an All-Blacks sevens player and like his brothers had a long career with the Crusaders before heading joining Japanese side Panasonic Wild Knights. Luke who is the youngest of the four has made 8 appearances for the All Blacks and has played for both the Crusaders and Highlanders in Super Rugby. Luke has most recently played for French Top14 side Pau.
3. The Barretts
The Barrett’s are one of New Zealand’s most famous rugby families. Father Kevin represented Taranaki in the late 90s whilst all four sons have gone on to play professionally in New Zealand. Eldest brother Kane is now retired but followed in his father’s footsteps representing Taranaki and later the Auckland Blues. The three current players Beauden, Scott and Jordie are regulars in the All-Blacks squad at the time of writing. Beauden is a two-time World Player of The Year who plays flyhalf and Fullback for the Blues. Scott is a secondrow-cum-backrow who represents the Crusaders and Jordie is a utility back who regurly plays fullback and centre for the Hurricanes. All three players are renowned for their great ball skills and attacking flair. Both Beauden and Jordie are goal kickers with Jordie being the current first choice kicker for the All Blacks. The young fullback has a large kicking range and has been known to take shots at goal from over 60 meters out. Beauden is known to be one of the of the fastest players in the professional game which is a unique trait for a number ten.
2. The Farrells
Andy Farrell was regarded as one of the greatest ever Rugby League players before switching codes to represent Saracens and England in Union. Since then, he has gone on to become one of the preeminent coaches in World Rugby. Starting his coaching career as an assistant at Saracens, Farrell was quickly snapped up as defence coach for England. Whilst working with England, Farrell was called up to tour with the British & Irish Lions for their 2013 tour of Australia. In the wake of the Lions 2 – 1 series win, Andy was regarded as one of the world’s top defence coaches. After England crashed out of the 2015 World Cup, he was let go along with the rest of the coaching staff. England’s loss would be Ireland’s gain as he was snapped up by the Irish Rugby Football Union as the side’s new defence coach under Joe Schmidt. In this role, Ireland rose to number one in the world. During this time Farrell was once again selected to be an assistant coach with the Lions this time for their tour of New Zealand. The Lions enjoyed a successful drawn series with Farrell getting many of the plaudits as one of the key architects for the success. In 2019 following Ireland’s very disappointing World Cup quarterfinal exit, Farrell took over as head coach. At the time of writing, he has returned Ireland to the number one spot on the world ranking and has just overseen a first ever Irish win in New Zealand as they beat the All Blacks 2 – 1 in a three-test series. Andy’s eldest son Owen is a senior figure and former captain of the English national side. A multiple European, Premiership and Six Nations champion, Farrell is regarded as one of England’s greatest ever players. Owen is set to become a centurion for England in their upcoming November series as he currently sits on 97 England caps.
1. The Tuilagis
Rugby’s first family has had six brothers go on to play professional rugby. Five brothers Alesana, Anitelea, Freddie, Henry, Sanele Vavae have represented Samoa. Whilst the youngest brother Manu has gone on to represent England and the British & Irish Lions. The brothers are synonymous with the English Premiership side Leicester Tigers having all represented the club at some stage. Known for their trademark physicality, videos such as the one below highlights just how dominant the Tuilagi’s have been in the game for the past twenty years.
Comments on RugbyPass
It’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
2 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
24 Go to commentsIf rugby wants to remain interesting in the AI era then it will need to work on changing the rules. AI will reduce the tactical advantage of smart game plans, will neutralize primary attacking weapons, and will move rugby from a being a game of inches to a game of millimetres. It will be about sheer athleticism and technique,about avoiding mistakes, and about referees. Many fans will find that boring. The answer is to add creative degrees of freedom to the game. The 50-22 is an example. But we can have fun inventing others, like the right to add more players for X minutes per game, or the equivalent of the 2-point conversion in American football, the ability to call a 12-player scrum, etc. Not saying these are great ideas, but making the point that the more of these alternatives you allow, the less AI will be able to lock down high-probability strategies. This is not because AI does not have the compute power, but because it has more choices and has less data, or less-specific data. That will take time and debate, but big, positive and immediate impact could be in the area of ref/TMO assistance. The technology is easily good enough today to detect forward passes, not-straight lineouts, offside at breakdown/scrum/lineout, obstruction, early/late tackles, and a lot of other things. WR should be ultra aggressive in doing this, as it will really help in an area in which the game is really struggling. In the long run there needs to be substantial creativity applied to the rules. Without that AI (along with all of the pro innovations) will turn rugby into a bash fest.
24 Go to commentsSouth Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
2 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
3 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
24 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
3 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
24 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
2 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
14 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
24 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
14 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
24 Go to comments