All Black hardman Wayne 'Buck' Shelford knocked out Welshman Huw Richards with a single blow in a 1987 World Cup quarterfinal.
1 Wayne Shelford – New Zealand
Shelford's hardman reputation was secured the year before the 1987 World Cup triumph when he had his scrotum stitched during a test in France. But perhaps his greatest act came in the '87 semifinal against Wales. Coming to the defence of lock Gary Whetton, he knocked out Huw Richards with a single blow. When Richards came to, the Welsh lock was sent off for punching and big Buck escaped, having carried out the perfect hit.
2 Danny Grewcock – England
The big lock, who boasts a black belt in karate, was a serial offender whose numerous bans included a total 19 weeks for three separate incidents against the All Blacks. Grewcock's stuttering career with England included being part of the champion 2003 World Cup outfit. But he missed the defence of the cup four years later for – you guessed it – a suspension while playing for his Bath club.
3 Bakkies Botha – South Africa
Whether it was a blow in the dark or a blatant headbutt in the open, the Springboks lock was never shy to let his opponents know he was around. Yellow-carded in his 2002 test debut against France for stamping, he was tough as ivory. He even has his own seven-minute fight compilation on YouTube. Played in three World Cups and his no-nonsense approach helped the Boks to 2007 glory.
4 Jamie Cudmore – Canada
Don't be fooled by his nickname "Cuddles", the 37-year-old's dodgy background includes being a teenaged enforcer for a drug gang in Winnipeg. He claims rugby turned him around. His time with Clermont in France has given him a taste for wine. He started his own label called Sin Bin. The chardonnay is named Yellow Card and the Pinot Noir is Red Card.
5 Sebastien Chabal - France
With his long hair and big beard, Chabal earned the nickname Caveman and became the marketing face of the 2007 tournament hosted by France. Loved to stir the All Blacks and his taunting of the haka before the 2007 quarterfinal set the tone for France's aggressive approach and subsequent upset. He was at it to the end, ruthlessly knocking out Marc Giraud in a French second division match in 2013.
6 Alasdair Strokosch - Scotland
Playing in his second World Cup, the big backrower has a black belt in karate and a liking for cage fighting. Described as a "human piledriver", one of his most famous hits came at the expense of two teammates. Celebrating Scotland's 2012 win over the Wallabies, Strokosch leapt into the huddle and accidentally headbutted Joe Ansbro and then hit Nick de Luca with an arm on the way down.
7 Trevor Brennan – Ireland
Abrasive flanker involved in a ding-dong punch-up against Wallabies in the 1999 World Cup. Had his arms held by two Aussies as Toutai Kefu dished out punishment. Took his game to Toulouse, where he won two European titles. But in 2007 he received a life ban, later reduced to five years, for leaping into the crowd and punching an Ulster fan who had allegedly verbally abused Brennan's mother.
8 Mamuka Gorgodze - Georgia
Looks like he wouldn't be out of place in a scene out of The Sopranos with his hulking frame and glare. The giant loose forward has earned his Godzilla nickname and legend based on his sheer size and power. He lived up to that against the All Blacks two weeks ago with a standout performance that saw the skipper's final act a bone-rattling hit on Dan Carter that left the glamour No 10 shaken.
9 Brian Lima – Samoa
It's not often a wing falls into this category, nor that someone plays five World Cups. Lima earned his fearsome reputation the hard and legitimate way. His tackling technique saw him labelled The Chiropractor because his hits could supposedly rearrange the bones of the victim. Lima would often come from nowhere to blindside his opponents, meaning no team was at ease against him.
10 Owen Finegan – Australia
Ankle and knee reconstructions, plus operations on both shoulders, showed how hard the big backrower pushed his body in a 56-test career at the forefront of the professional era. Never took a step backward and in a team led by the genial John Eales, he provided the tough edge. In a 1999 World Cup final noted for French filth, Finegan had the final say with an injury-time try.
- Sunday Star Times
