Heaviest Rugby Players in the World (2025 Rankings)

Rugby union has always celebrated players of all shapes and sizes, but some athletes push the boundaries of what seems physically possible on a rugby field. These massive players combine extraordinary weight with the athleticism, speed, and skill required to compete at the highest level. Their size creates unique challenges for opposition defenses while requiring exceptional fitness to maintain effectiveness over 80 minutes. Here are the heaviest players currently competing in professional rugby and throughout the sport’s history.

#1 Uini Atonio (France) – 145kg (320lbs)

The French tighthead prop stands as the heaviest player to regularly compete at Test level, with his weight recorded at over 145 kilograms during his career. Atonio’s massive frame provides extraordinary scrummaging power that has demolished opposition packs throughout his career with La Rochelle and France.

Standing at 6’2″ (188cm), Atonio’s weight is concentrated in a powerful, compact frame. His scrummaging technique combined with his mass makes him virtually immovable, providing France with dominant set-piece platforms. His ability to anchor scrums while maintaining surprising mobility around the field demonstrates exceptional conditioning.

Atonio’s carrying in tight channels creates go-forward momentum that few can stop. His defensive work, while not flashy, provides solid tackling and physical presence. The Tongan-born prop’s impact on French rugby has been significant, helping La Rochelle achieve European success while contributing to France’s international resurgence.

#2 Will Skelton (Australia) – 140kg (308lbs)

Will Skelton stands as one of the heaviest players in modern professional rugby. The Australian lock’s combination of height (6’8″/203cm) and weight creates an imposing physical presence that few can match. Playing for La Rochelle in France and the Wallabies internationally, Skelton has transformed perceptions about what heavy players can achieve.

His ball-carrying ability is devastating, regularly requiring multiple defenders to bring him down. Skelton’s impact in mauls is enormous, with his weight providing unstoppable momentum in both attacking and defensive situations. His scrummaging anchors the Australian pack, while his improved lineout work has eliminated what was once considered a weakness.

What makes Skelton remarkable is his ability to play significant minutes despite his size. His fitness levels allow him to contribute throughout matches, not just in short bursts. His success at club and international level proves that extreme size, when combined with skill and conditioning, can be a tremendous asset in modern rugby.

#3 Ben Tameifuna (Tonga) – 135kg (298lbs)

The Tongan tighthead prop has consistently played at weights around 135 kilograms throughout his career. Tameifuna’s scrummaging power earned him cult hero status during his time with the Chiefs in Super Rugby, where his dominance at scrum time became legendary. His ability to destroy opposition scrums made him one of the most feared props in world rugby.

Standing at 5’11” (180cm), Tameifuna carries his weight on a relatively short frame, creating a low center of gravity that makes him extremely difficult to shift. His technique combined with his mass produces scrummaging power that has humiliated international props. His mobility, while not matching lighter players, remains sufficient for Test rugby.

Tameifuna’s career has taken him from New Zealand to France and back to the Pacific Islands. His performances for Tonga have showcased his world-class scrummaging ability on the international stage. His size and skill combination represents the traditional Pacific Islands power that has influenced rugby globally.

#4 Nemani Nadolo (Fiji) – 135kg (298lbs)

The Fijian wing brought unprecedented size to the back three, regularly playing at 135 kilograms while standing 6’5″ (196cm) tall. Nadolo’s combination of size, speed, and skill made him one of rugby’s most devastating attacking threats. His ability to run over defenders or around them created nightmares for opposition defenses.

What made Nadolo exceptional was maintaining wing-like pace despite his massive frame. His acceleration and agility for a player of his size defied physics, allowing him to score spectacular tries while trampling defenders. His kicking game added another dimension, with his boot providing territorial control and points.

Nadolo’s career included success in Super Rugby, European club rugby, and international rugby with Fiji. His performances in Rugby World Cups showcased his ability to dominate at the highest level. His size revolutionized thinking about what body types could succeed on the wing.

#5 Opeti Fonua (Tonga) – 130kg (286lbs)

The Tongan prop has played much of his career at around 130 kilograms, bringing traditional Pacific Islands power to the front row. Fonua’s scrummaging ability and physical presence in tight exchanges exemplify the powerful style Pacific Islands props bring to rugby. His size creates problems for opposition packs throughout matches.

Fonua’s carrying ability in close quarters generates crucial meters and quick ball. His defensive work provides solid tackling and physical confrontation that opposition backs prefer to avoid. His experience across various competitions has demonstrated his ability to compete at multiple levels.

#6 Carl Hayman (New Zealand) – 125kg (276lbs)

The legendary All Blacks prop played at around 125 kilograms during his career, which spanned from 2001 to 2011. Hayman is widely regarded as one of the greatest tighthead props in rugby history, combining size with exceptional technique and work rate. His scrummaging demolished opposition packs while his work around the field rivaled many back-rowers.

Standing at 6’4″ (193cm), Hayman’s size was complemented by remarkable athleticism. His ball-handling and support play created tries, while his defensive work was tireless. His success with the All Blacks, including being part of teams that dominated world rugby, demonstrated how size combined with skill creates complete players.

Hayman’s later career in European rugby with Newcastle Falcons and Toulon showcased his sustained excellence. His influence on prop play continues through current players who study his technique and approach. His combination of size and skill set standards that modern props still chase.

#7 Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy) – 120kg (265lbs)

The Italian prop played at approximately 120 kilograms throughout his decorated career. Castrogiovanni’s personality matched his size, bringing flair and character to the front row position. His scrummaging power provided Italy with competitive set pieces, while his work around the field demonstrated surprising mobility.

Standing at 6’0″ (183cm), Castrogiovanni carried his weight on a powerful frame. His ball-carrying often broke tackles, while his offloading created attacking opportunities. His longevity at Test level, earning 119 caps for Italy, proved his consistency and durability despite his size.

Castrogiovanni’s club career with Leicester Tigers brought him European success and recognition as one of the Premiership’s best props. His impact on Italian rugby extended beyond playing, helping raise standards and inspiring younger players. His combination of size, skill, and personality made him one of rugby’s most recognizable characters.

#8 Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa) – 120kg (265lbs)

The Springbok legend, known as “The Beast,” played at around 120 kilograms during his career from 2008 to 2019. Mtawarira’s scrummaging power and low center of gravity made him one of the most destructive loosehead props in rugby history. His ability to dominate scrums and carry in tight channels was crucial to South Africa’s success.

Standing at 5’11” (180cm), Mtawarira’s weight was concentrated in a powerful, compact frame. His technique and strength created scrummaging dominance that won penalties and destroyed opposition confidence. His work rate around the field, including his defensive contributions, demonstrated complete forward play.

Mtawarira’s career highlights include winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup with South Africa. His consistency over 117 Test matches proved his durability and sustained excellence. His nickname and reputation made him one of rugby’s most feared competitors, with his size and skill combination creating matchup problems for every opposition.

#9 Brodie Retallick (New Zealand) – 120kg (265lbs)

The All Blacks lock plays at approximately 120 kilograms while standing 6’8″ (204cm) tall. Retallick’s size is distributed across a tall frame, giving him excellent lineout presence while maintaining mobility. His combination of weight and athleticism makes him one of the most complete locks in modern rugby.

Retallick’s ball-handling and offloading ability set him apart from traditional locks. His support play and ability to create tries demonstrate skills rarely seen in players of his size. His defensive work and breakdown contributions add flanker-like dimensions to his game.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, Retallick has maintained excellence across multiple Rugby World Cup cycles. His size combined with skill revolutionized expectations for lock play, proving that heavy players can excel in all aspects of the modern game when properly conditioned.

#10 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) – 120kg (265lbs)

The Springbok lock plays at approximately 120 kilograms while standing 6’8″ (203cm) tall. Etzebeth’s size and physicality make him one of the most imposing forwards in world rugby. His combination of scrummaging power, lineout expertise, and aggressive ball-carrying creates complete lock play.

Etzebeth’s tackling is dominant, regularly driving ball carriers backward and creating turnover opportunities. His work rate across 80 minutes demonstrates exceptional fitness for a player of his size. His leadership and on-field presence provide South Africa with crucial organizational skills.

With over 120 Test caps, Etzebeth has proven his durability and sustained excellence. His performances in multiple Rugby World Cup campaigns showcase his ability to deliver when stakes are highest. His size and skill combination continues setting standards for modern lock play.

The Challenge of Playing Heavy

Playing rugby at extreme weights presents unique challenges. Cardiovascular fitness becomes crucial, as heavier players must work harder to maintain intensity throughout matches. Joint health and injury prevention require careful management, with the additional weight placing greater stress on knees, ankles, and backs.

Modern sports science has enabled heavier players to compete effectively. Specialized conditioning programs, nutritional planning, and recovery protocols allow massive athletes to maintain the fitness levels required for professional rugby. The success of players listed above demonstrates that size, when properly managed, can be a tremendous advantage.

Evolution of Size in Rugby

Rugby has generally trended toward larger players as professionalism has allowed athletes to focus entirely on physical development. However, the heaviest players must balance size with the mobility and endurance required in modern rugby. The game’s pace and duration mean that extreme weight only succeeds when combined with proper conditioning.

Different positions accommodate different body types. Props and locks can carry more weight while remaining effective, whereas backs generally require more speed and agility. The players listed above succeeded by matching their size to their position’s requirements while maintaining the fitness to contribute throughout matches.

The biggest rugby players by weight demonstrate that size, when combined with skill, technique, and conditioning, creates formidable competitors. These athletes have redefined what’s possible for heavy players in professional rugby, proving that mass can be a tremendous advantage when properly utilized. Their success inspires larger athletes to pursue rugby careers while challenging perceptions about optimal body types for the sport.