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
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“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.
25 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
6 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.
10 Go to comments