Top 10 Stars of the Men's Game with CEO of M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment Steve Martin | S4 Ep14

Who are the top 10 stars of the men's the game right now?
We have pulled together a shortlist of 20 players who we think are the brightest names on and off the field right now. They wouldn't necessarily make a World XV but they back up their deeds on the field with a willingness to try things off it.
Joining us at GBR GQ is Steve Martin, CEO of M&C Saatchi
Sport & Entertainment, Steve has 30 plus industry experience and has worked extensively with the likes of Tiger Woods, Messi, Beckham, Ronaldo, Rooney, McIlroy, and Jonny Wilkinson to name a few.
Season 4 of GBR is in partnership with Continental Tyres.
🎟️ TOUR TICKETS: bit.ly/GBRTourTickets 🎟️

[@5jacksonsjourney179]

We invited American friends to come and watch the semi final SA v France at our house in North Carolina. All of them loved Cheslin and they ordered Springbok jersyes online after the game. All 7/8 wanted 11 on the back and 1 said Siya’s number 6. That is the impact Cheslin Kolbe has for first time viewers. It was propbably the best game ever to show newcomers to the sport and it had a major impact on our friends. They instantly fell in love with the game and even watch the URC and premiership since their introduction to the game.

[@kurtsudheim825]

*quarter final. Bit yes, that was lucky, arguably best game in history. Imagine you invite them & end up seeing a bummer

[@pdvjourno5893]

How about a bit of love for Ox Nche? Brilliant player and great character off the field who comes up with own catchphrases ("Salads don't win scrums").

[@worldchampions4379]

Fun fact Ox has a sister her name is Fox Nche, she too plays rugby.

[@Martin_Mare]

Perhaps. But there are about half a dozen ahead of him.

[@LionOnSea]

Love Ox he is a fantastic character. I think some guys will be popular in their home country but not necessarily a "global superstar". He has a RWC gold medal and enough cake to keep him going - so I think the Ox is OK 🤣😀

[@robertbaynham2193]

Damien Willemse too I reckon 25 two world cups, plays with flair

[@jameswyatt4443]

Exactly, he’s been the Boks best backline player for about 18 months, really under appreciated. A move to France would propel him globally.

[@PFarrell]

Great player but from the point of this video he has the personality of a dead fish. Great on the field , apart from rugby fans off the field no one knows or cares who he is

[@LB_die_Kaapie]

​@@PFarrellDid you not see his Grealish tour?! Lmfao

[@kurtsudheim825]

But again for nothing about him, none smile, but distracted wise...?

[@jameswyatt4443]

@@kurtsudheim825 You need to fix your grammar, impossible to understand.

[@willhopley]

I liked this conversation, some names that potentially weren't mentioned were: Damian Penaud, Duhan van der Merwe, Semi Radradra & Waisea Nayacalevu

[@maori_brotha]

Semi is a phenom!

[@robw7676]

If Semi played for SA, NZ, England or France, he'd be top of the list. Properly box office on the field.

[@KL-qy4ye]

Well Roger Federer is also half South African and was wearing a Springboks jersey so that may have played into his reception…

[@bobok1541]

Yes exactly, surprised these guys didn’t mention that

[@jameswyatt4443]

Handre Pollard is the highest paid rugby player because he’s the most clutch rugby player to ever live.

[@willemsteyn7808]

Morne Steyn ties him.

[@Damcarnivore]

Or because he plays for one of the richest teams and that team knows kicking will win games

[@robw7676]

​@Damcarnivore Tigers aren't a rich team. They've made losses and the directors have had to pump funds in to keep the wheels on.

[@Laurentus]

Love him or hate him, Rassie has brought a lot of gen Z interest to the game, at least in SA. Chasing the Sun and similar, and his antics on social media, engage with the audience on a whole new level.

[@chrismouton1985]

Nice pod, lads. Just a mention at 46:10, I think Mack Hansen has the potential to be a an Irish star. He's quite a character!

[@Lesssvav]

Ardie Savea is the best player in the world. He’s the mix of Siya, Kwagga and DuToit all together. Explosiveness speed and energy like Kwagga, Leadership and heart like Siya, Breakdown and tackling ability like Dutoit. He’s EVERYTHING you want from a rugby player.

[@andy_olive]

In Rugby and cricket the national side is the pinnacle of the sport, players make their names for their national teams where football is all about the club side with the World Cup as a cherry on top. I think this makes the star players less easy to be transcendent unless you have a generational unicorn like Lomu or maybe Kolisi. Man U or Barca have fans all over the world in every city so their star players are supported. You wont really sell more boots in NZ with Kolisi rather than Savea.

[@Damcarnivore]

Very much agreed

[@DerekChaplin-mu1gc]

Great debate Guys, many thanks for a truly entertaining hour!!

[@fraserposford144]

Fascinating discussion about stardom in rugby and in sport. I believe because of the way the game is played with 15 players on the field and 23 in a matchday squad, it's hard for individual rugby players to stand out. Compared to 11 players on a football field, 5 on a basketball court, 1 tennis player or 1 quarterback running the show for an NFL team, there's a lot of competition within your team to be seen as a cut above the rest. Especially when you consider the scoring system and the 'good' tactical plays that players have to make in a game to help their team win. Looking at Dupont vs Kolisi, both are massive stars in the sport for broadly different reasons. If you ever watch a game he plays, Dupont's fingerprints are all over it, he's impossible to ignore and does incredible things that get people off their seat excited. He is also immensely marketable in France however, as he doesn't speak much English, he struggles to break into more global markets as a personality. On the other hand, Kolisi is almost exclusively famous BECAUSE of his personality. He is the historic first black captain of the Springboks and a double world chp winning captain who had a troubled upbringing. When anyone speaks about him, the first thing most people will mention is his character and the way he interacts with others. He's a model person first and an athlete second. Yes, he's one of the best performers in the Springboks team but he doesn't play in a way that excites people like Dupont. He doesn’t stand out as much for the way he plays, he just works very hard and does his job very well. South Africa could afford to sub him off after about 50 minutes in every World Cup game because of how good their bench is and how selfless Kolisi is as a leader. Both players are excellent ambassadors for the sport but offer very different qualities. Overall given how Rugby isn't as mainstream as we think it should be, Dupont is the eye candy that casual viewers during the World Cup or Six Nations can instantly enjoy whereas Kolisi is the slow burn you appreciate after watching a few games and following his team play. Reminds me of what Dan Carter and Richie McCaw used to bring to the sport when they played.

[@Sharkman1963]

Excellent comment.

[@axxey]

You can also look at it and none of the biggest football stars are non strikers, only those that can score goals can achieve the pinnacles so despite being 11 man sport it's not an 11 man distribution of "stardom". Rugby is the same, media promotion(including these GBR pundits) loves attacking players and ignores if they're useless on defense or lose the ball all the time as long as they look good scoring points.

[@chokistick9581]

I agree with most of the comment, but I think you need to understand how kolisi from a black African eye is eyecandy.

[@roryingle2246]

Would love you to get Siya in studio. Other than Saffas most people know he has a story but don't actually know what it is. When you hear that he got a scholarship for rugby to a good high-school as a teenager and that was the first time he ever slept in a bed or owned a pair of socks, to then go on a lead his country to 2 WC titles.

[@maori_brotha]

Great show. But I would have liked to hear more from the M&C Saatchi guy cos he does it for a living and knows what star talent looks like - What I took away was, they are looking for (1) Star player - delivers on the field consistently, (2) Interesting Life style - their off field activities are of interest to others, and (3) Want it - keen on enaging with the social media/PR machine and will put up with the necessary privacy invasion! The other thing he never discussed was audience and markets, but that's more what his people do and who they are trying to sell to!

[@JamesMacleanEsq]

So true, which is why Dupont is actually the most marketable player. South Africa is small fry in terms of marketing and earning potential.

[@janevanreenen8768]

Handré does not seek fame…he has all that he needs…and a top player.

[@mcewan-media]

I get your point and it's true. They're discussing something else though.

[@lifecycleproject]

A great episode with a strong message to RWC and the various Unions. Growing player profiles is growing the sport if done correctly. The winning formula is 'performance x desire = success". RWC and the Unions have a steep learning curve ahead of them !

[@daucreates]

When looking for somebody who is doing everything right at the moment I would actually look to a non-international player in Hacjivah Dayimani. He's got a great social media presence, a back rower but plays with the flair and pace of a winger, one of the stormers biggest stars, great sense of fashion, just launched his own shoe brand made and produced in SA, and only 26 years old. His appearance on the Behind the Ruck podcast is super interesting, as he talks about being super aware of a rugby players career only lasting until mid to late thirties, and it being very important to him to have something to fall back onto for then. Hopefully a springbok at some point. He also shows character and charisma, as he did what Damian Willemse and Jack Graelish have kinda done since when stormers won the urc, by not changing out of his kit, even showering and swimming in it, and just celebrating very openly.

[@pdvjourno5893]

Great call. Dayimani is a superstar in the making.

[@JamesMacleanEsq]

Maybe to come, but most people, including diehard rugby fans would say "who"?

[@peterwomersley]

Siya transcends sport

[@thembamadi]

On the bare facts... Kolisi is the biggest star. My sense is he will become bigger... new audience in France with new Racing 92 move and loads of global brands in France. Being Europe based, his appeal if well managed by Roc Nation will transcend all of Europe. Ardie needs to consider move to Europe too. But Japan pays well and with less hectic schedule, family life is key for him, so he may not be able to grow any bigger. Antoine has the right platform and will in my view easily in three to four years time be able to contend for first position with Siya. Siya will endure... irrespective of any of the changes in rugby's popularity, he will endure and transcend into RWC 2027 and beyond. Cheslin Kolbe and Eben Etsebeth may break into that top four. The pressure of World Cup is gone and they may now be free to be OUT THERE than ever before.

[@shawnberry6110]

Someone who has won only a 6N will never be able to compete with Siya. If this were football, Siya would be Messi and Du Pont would be Thierry Henry.

[@willemsteyn7808]

​@@shawnberry6110Siya is a great talker, Messi is a great player...cannot compare Siya to him.

[@alpozongo1485]

@@willemsteyn7808Siya has won two world cups…Messi, one.

[@willemsteyn7808]

@alpozongo1485 Messi played 90 minutes of all the games and scored crucial goals, thereby contribut8ng hugely to his side's success. Siya played 40 or 50 minutes in 95% of the games in both world cups and did not really contribute in a noticeable way like Messi.

[@victordastile5204]

​@@willemsteyn7808it doesn't matter how much time Siya played. He's bigger than you and messi combined. Also can't compare a sissy's game to rugby😂😂😂

[@user-vd8uq8mx9r]

it was touched on a couple of times in the conversation, re the culture in the ABs and Ireland. Putting one above the team isn't really in rugby's values. Do we really want people pulling stunts on the pitch to increase their profile? The other factor is the "selling of your soul". Not everyone wants the media following their every move! We're not all Hask!

[@jobe1888]

Lewis Hamilton, Roger Federer, David Beckham to name a few...the GOATS with the business end of the careers. We don't want our rugby stars to be flashy please. We like them grimy.

[@daucreates]

Very interesting conversation, thanks guys!

[@andy_olive]

Italian players are used a lot in advertising in Italy because companies here love the values, the Bergamasco brothers and Sergio were all over the show and Capuozzo is going to take over. Won’t translate internationally for my previous point of rugby being a national team game rather than a club game.

[@lifecycleproject]

An honourable mention for Martin Castrogiovanni as well who's done a fair amount of advertising. Generally very obvious low brow stuff though.

[@JamesMacleanEsq]

Spot on. They dismissed Sergio Parisse, but he's a household name in Itlay and France. He married Miss France for goodness sake.

[@ryanberelowitz7464]

Seems like a UK problem. Rugby players are huge stars in South Africa

[@JamesMacleanEsq]

But nobodies outside of SA. This convo was about global star power.

[@ryanberelowitz7464]

@JamesMacleanEsq never mentioned "global". And in any case you need to be a domestic star before becoming a global one anyway. My point is more that you don't first get stars and then the game becomes popular, rather the game is popular in a country or "globally" and then stars emerge. Rugby is very popular here so it's natural you have stars.

[@thomashenrycomedy]

Great interview this lads. Another topic rugby badly needs on the table that other pods / media outlets don't touch. So interesting that it wasn't THAT easy to find a top ten that everyone could look at and go, "yep, those are our sport's superstars."

[@DuaneHeath1973]

Cannot believe more Fijians weren’t mentioned. Radradra has Presence. But Kolisi is undisputed No 1.

[@JamesMacleanEsq]

Yeah, but he's never going to front a global brand campaign. So it's mute.

[@nickysebastianmiller]

Love this channel.

[@GoodBadRugby]

0:00 - Intro 2:24 - Welcome Steve Martin 3:10 - Who is the biggest star in any sport right now? 7:41 - Rugby versus other sports 9:59 - Does rugby have a problem promoting stars? 13:23 - Jonny Wilkinson and David Beckham 16:58 - From Top 20 to Top 10 26:54 - Owen Farrell and Andy Murray 45:17 - Rugby players and social media management 46:00 - Who is the star of Irish rugby? 48:10 - Performing on and off the field 48:57 - Future-proofing rugby 49:57 - The biggest star in rugby

[@kurtsudheim825]

I was talking about this just before last wc, vdeo games are a big one, look at jonah rugby & sachin cricket games on ps1

[@user-sh4rf5dk3x]

Fantastic episode

[@mxifly]

Working for M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment and Steve Martin is the dream , this will happen for me

[@LionOnSea]

If the 2018 Springboks can win back-to-back Rugby World Cups you can work for M&C Saatchi my friend.

[@boshoff814]

Do the players really need to do more or should World Rugby get with the times. Many cant even watch the live game or rewatch the full games afterwards. We have tons of fans promoting the game like Squidge but World Rugby works against them.

[@Flooonky]

Imagine inviting a knowledgeable guest and then not letting him finish a sentence.

[@salomonligthelm14]

I agree with Siya, Antoine and Ardea. I think Ardea needs to be Captain of the AB's!

[@philsimon4457]

Another top show gents! Question is, how many similar conversations are being had behind closed doors in world rugby???

[@andreduplessis9465]

Got to say that in SA we see slot of ads with Siya. And other Boks. So maybe not the international spots that they talking about I guess

[@albandegerminy535]

Damian Penaud ??? How is he not in the top 10 ?

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

Finn Russell has a lot of marketing potential because he combines humility with staggering talent.

[@mikesmith-sv6bt]

Jonah was never one for publicity he left it to PKJ. As long as he had the largest sound system in his car he was happy . He did all his best work on the pitch.

[@chokistick9581]

Damian is blowing up in South Africa, still at 250k but he is going up daily

[@matthewvanrensburg3824]

Siya went to a NBA basketball match post this last WC in the states and he was featured live on the big screen same way Federer ect were featured at the Rugby WC and the crowd went ballistic! Not sure how many other rugby players have that sort of presence at the moment?

[@user-sj6jy1sj1o]

Mack Hansen

[@mireilledavidson9427]

What no Faf???

[@marcdaniels9079]

Too annoying like a yapping Jack Russell 😅

[@victordastile5204]

​@@marcdaniels9079so are you😂😂😂

[@ZambeziKid]

One thing going for Kolbe is that he gets the crecit for 2 players. So many obersvers cant tell him apart from Arendse, so he gets all Arendse's great plays too. hehe

[@jobe1888]

Lol I can't believe you really didn't mention Damian Willemse.

[@barlj1]

Rugby needs to get back to what makes it an exciting product - big hits from the front , skill and pace from the back. Everything else to the casual viewer is just noise. It's like the UFC. Casuals love the knockouts as an intro and that is used as a gateway drug so to speak into gradually learn the more nuanced stuff like grappling and submissions as they become more invested. If the commentators were to use annotations in game, and show what is happening in a ruck or maul after each phase (like the NFL) that could help. They explain it as if everyone knows what a 50:22 is or a box kick and why it's being done. More needs to be done on this level to make rugby a watchable product for the masses

[@rohanolwage5766]

How they don’t have Siya Kolisi on that list is shocking he’s the most followed player on social media. That bold guy is something else

[@deborahlawson5109]

Siya is their number 1 on the list?

[@contactdaffodilmachete7282]

There is a point here - rugby appeals to a valuable demographic. It doesn't necessarily have to be broad. These agents ought to get this right.

[@slayerbot1394]

Kolisi. Kolbe. Savea. Aaron Smith. Love watching any game with any of these 4

[@Rob981.]

Nathan cleary, latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Tom trbojevic, Reece Walsh, James tedesco, Payne haas, Brian to’o, Harry grant and Ryan papenhuyzen there you go end of video

[@barryryan1070]

Louis Rees - Zammit. 100%

[@dre7767]

Rugby needs younger more open leadership. Bill Beaumont needs to go, I think RG Snyman can be huge as well.

[@whtwht]

You know Tindall reads the comments..👋🏽 Interesting discussion playing success / Authenticity/ good looks .. usually gets you far enough and can transend the sport. Does anyone really crave the celebrity of a Beckham?

[@rorymkirk]

Interesting chat, and indeed elevating the game's most exciting talent is an important part of the mix. But we've also heard this refrain for a few years now, and the fact we're still talking about it is a little abysmal. A far more pertinent issue right now is World Rugby's clanger of a decision to heavily restrict the use of digital media in the community. We can't share clips, content creators can't produce excellent videos that the fans love. With respect to GBR, to the Rugby Pod, with less respect to Rugby Pass.... you guys are just not producing the kind of content that creators like Squidge do week in week out. There is no better expression of fan enthusiasm for the game than these grassroots creators, who provide a deeper and more meaningful level of analysis than any official media does. The lack of attention on this issue from GBR and the rest is very dissappointing.

[@fraserposford144]

Agreed. The heavy restriction of digital media by World Rugby is really damaging for fans wanting to share their passion for the game.

[@marcdaniels9079]

GBRA rocks !

[@chiefgl1161]

The biggest star must be Novak Djokovic. Editing. The greatest athlete Novak, biggest star still Roger.

[@user-Steele42]

Canan Moodie is a potential star. He is only 20 years old

[@ray4mondo]

McEnroe V Bjorn Borg. The Lovable Brat or The Super Cooool Layed back dude

[@andy_olive]

Marler is the biggest star in the England team

[@victordastile5204]

😂😂😂😂

[@christoduplessis8177]

Based on the social media interaction off the back of the RWC, just pick 10 Springboks?

[@marcdaniels9079]

Got to say Djokovic won me over after his loss to Acatraz - beautiful speech. Although his opinions on most non tennis subjects are absolutely absurd.

[@ljawgtn1393]

Great show - to be a star - 1. An excellent player 2. Handsome face ---- Will Jordan - eg perfect almost a manmade look. Christian Cullen was a star over here, word is JMitchell dropped him because he was bigger than the team??!! (Apparently) a car company approached Jonah and said Hi Jonah, here's a car for you, and he said "Wow thanks, and where are the rest of the cars for everyone else?" they said "No it's only for you", and he said "No thanks!" thats what made him a star ironically.

[@rhestephens]

A question would be worth asking is are clubs and national teams reducing the natural flow and the personality of players in post match interviews and social media, if they are becoming too controlling to on there overall life. I know from experience of my son playing in a premiership academy and during this time so many rules were passed {you can and can do's} on and taught in lessons that they had to have the club or national teams. I feel the clubs and national teams are over controlling personalities

[@Ruah236]

Antoine Dupont, for me, his charisma and the presence he holds and there is this coolness from him, its like why waste my energy trying to impress, I'll just be myself - since its been mentioned, on the Irish scene, Garry Ringrose has it naturually and Caelan Doris is gutsy, enthusiastic and would be good with the marketing side and not being always rugby centric and Hugo Keenan has a persona thats likable and could be marketed off the field. there could be others. These irish guys have it in them and could be encouraged to be more themselves via social marketing. Now that Sexton has retired it will be interesting to watch whose personalitiies shine through since Sexton tended to cog the limelight being captain and the longest playing. Agreed I don't think its in Irish rugby culture or Irish society culture to encourage to rise above the team spirit and get out there and to me that is a negative mentality, It is a big opportunity for some of these guys, just lets not overplay it. It comes naturally or it does not come, simple, so lets not force it or restrict it.

[@JamesMacleanEsq]

A big issue for the SA players is they're the bad guys of world rugby. Mainly down to Rassie, but they're an incredibly difficult team to like, which limits their brand potential.

[@MichaelDeRossi16]

Jack Crowley is one for the future. Couple years. You watch

[@charlottewalsh1030]

Jordy Barrett / Ardie Savea to NRL ? Nathan Cleary ? Joseph Sualli .? Cam Murray ? Kalyn Ponga? rugby bound? Nawaqatanse , Angus Bell … 22? If they goes to Europe? Israel Folau and Ma? Sam Kerr! 💯

[@spottersworld3135]

They have the questions wrong! If you want to find a superstar you only have to ask which player(s) do people want to be/mould themselves after

[@mrdrevilporkchop666]

Uk and ireland only top 10!(in no particular order): Zammit Russell Smith Care Arundell Marler Genge Itoje Hansen Lowe

[@Thromboc]

Top 10 Stars of the Women's Game would be a lot easier to do

[@KarenDay-me8ri]

Easy Ruby is no. 1

[@reechimz4602]

Dont know who is on your list but every rugby fan and half fan knows that theres a siya kolisi

[@tribalpeacock]

Bokke🎉🎉🎉

[@lauren547l]

What about like a all of nothing with the six nations, So people can see behind the scenes and that way can grow stars.

[@user-fe9iw5yi3u]

I think Rugby League is the future. Far more exciting and entertaining than Union. Hopefully the NRL buys the Super league

[@DamianPratt]

By the time that ad came out Stone Roses had split up, reformed, split up. Even follow up bands had split by then.

[@christoserfontein4621]

Farrell marketable🤣🤦🏻‍♂️

[@christoserfontein4621]

Remember guys of these players choose not to be in limelight!

[@dominic7015]

Whatever mate! DJOCK = GOAT - LOVE HIM!! ❤️😂

[@fraserposford144]

My 20 biggest rugby stars in the world (now and in the next 4 years) in no particular order. 1. Dupont 2. Kolisi 3. Russell 4. Rees-Zammit 5. Kolbe 6. Itoje 7. Penaud 8. Ntamack 9. Hansen 10. Savea 11. Jordan 12. Etzebeth 13. Himeno 14. Capuozzo 15. Garbisi 16. Du Toit 17. Roigard 18. Curry 19. Moodie 20. Smith Not a definitive list but just some names who could really set the sport alight. Honourable mentions for Genge, Ollivon, Doris, Furlong and Woki.

[@pauldavies7251]

Itoje is a busted flush & was overhyped from the start

[@patrickchilds2987]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@pauldavies7251 It’s ok not to like Itoje but he has had a good career with several notable personal mom performances for England, Lions and Saracens , even if you refuse to acknowledge it. Save a RWC he has achieved a lot in the game . Is he currently the best lock in the game , no probably not, is he a good player yes certainly. All top players are hyped depending on what team you follow, but I thought Itoje had a superb RWC .

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

Rees Zammit and no DVDM???

[@user-qr5ki8ls2x]

Of course there are marketable (looks, physique etc) Plus quality (ability) Irish rugby players that would make that list. Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Ringrose. And they Can talk. The notion that you need to be lippy, or 'larging' it and doing the red carpet circuit defeats what was said about Federer in the beginning. Class, even a sense of mystery, just being nice, and being actually just bloody good at your sport. That's marketable. Look at McCaw. Charisma dripping from him. Hear him talk now he doesn't even look like the warrior he was..... but his stillness lets you know, this guy is it. Perhaps the issue is that it's inappropriate to market rugby players like they are football players. It's a different kind of sport and requires a different breed of role model/superstar.... and marketed so.

[@OTYoudecide]

Siya and 9 other boks..

[@JaemanEdwards]

Bundee Aki Beauden Barrett Antoine Dupont Eben Etzebeth Will Jordan Cheslin Kolbe Pablo Matera Ardie Savea Josua Tuisova Tamaiti Williams

[@adamfahey108]

Steve Martin nailed Marcus Smith, As did Eddie Jones...... Unlike Tins thinks, He hasn't produced it consistent.... NZ is to small to create a "superstar" world wide...

[@GM-fn3ku]

Trying not to sound negative but you guys could do such a better job with this content. You’ve got the CEO of MC Saatchi and you’ve not really got any real insight out of him. You’ve done top 10 and made him repeat himself 10x. Was like a hot or not flash quiz 😂. Thought your France content was a big decline on your Japan content as well. Love the pod generally though

[@joelyons886]

this is more about media and not playing ability... unfortunately Ireland will never match the "brand" of the AB's so their key players will always be front and centre then you have shere population and demographics when it comes to English, French and South African players regardless of where England sit their marque player will always have a media light no different to France or SA... All that said though for me there are 2 clear stand out "icons" and both for different reasons, Dupont who is unquestionably the best player and a media dream as he conducts himself like a Federer and then you have Kolisi whom not only is a quality player (not in the top 5 of his position in isolation mind) but the whole package his story everything and also again like ADP he is a media dream as far as brand or marketing in concerned

[@JamesMacleanEsq]

Gotta disagree on Ardie Savea. Outside of NZ he has little to no brand power. Incredible player, but ask the average rugby fan what they know about him and it would fit on a postage stamp. I'd put Russell in the top 3. He's already putting bums on seats at Bath and has x-factor a plenty. Saying that, there seem to be less 'personalities' of late. The likes of Castrogiovanni, Chabal, Wilko and Lomu are in short supply. But is that a bad thing? The other sportsmen cited are mostly from individualistic sports.

[@annettekolb3103]

Siya are biggest at the moments because he have a agent that does his media. 1. He got a limited boot collaboration with Adidas 2. His movie/bio about his journey 3. 2 x rwc winning cap back to back taking bokke to 4 time champs. 5.He developed more of a voice compared to 2019. He is stick and believing in their coaches. He stand up for his players like Manie when everyone lost faith in him as our 10. Players worth being on your list. Ox Kitzhoff Bongi Marx Kock Trevor Psdt R.G Juan Mosterd Vermeulen man how you over looked him as a 8 blow my mind. When you debated about the 8 i was hoping you would mention him but you didnt Up and coming half back real natural talent Grant Williams that boy will play the spot light of du pont Manie up and coming no look kick and Play maker How did you not look at Moodie blows my mind. You touched on Arendse Damian Willimse big up coming already did 2019 and 2023 definitely young enough for 2027 and maybe 2031. Same can be said for Moodie and Grand. Ox and Trevor as well. I think you need to revisit and revise that list a bit because that dream team from World Rugby was put together 2 weeks before finals and i promise you if they had waited a bit on that there would have been more Boks on that list then just Eben. Tindall i am kind to you now however you still need to apologize to the boks and all the saffas you insulted 😂😂😂 otherwise i phone PSDT, RG and Eben to come and have a talk with you😜

[@samsambelfast]

Hey look it my uncle steve

[@stephenlorimer5598]

Joe marler is easilly the most marketable

[@20165776YEAR]

Pollard is the most valuable player

[@gdd2959]

Win world cups, and you guys will have your superstars

[@JohnHirsch88]

Rugby doesn’t have the international viewership that football has. So the notion that we can just boost rugby players’ profiles through marketing, like what’s done in football, tennis, or F1, recently is absurd. Those sports have the numbers and the sponsorships because they've captured a global audience's interest. Look at Messi: Is it his personality? It's part fame, part talent, part football's global footprint. Without the sport’s widespread appeal, Messi might be Luka Modric at best or James Maddison at worst. That's the power of audience numbers The marketing that turns athletes into stars relies heavily on the sport's overall appeal. Rugby, although popular within the Queens reach, doesn't have that universal intrigue. Pushing individual rugby players into the spotlight is tough when the sport itself doesn't even have a bulb. Granted anyone can manufacture being a social media star: Haskell? - but if we're talking about being stars purely from rugby, the audience really isn't there. It's not impossible, and we can promote within the game, but it's different globally. Rugby will need a tailored approach, one that recognises its unique position in the world and builds on that, rather than trying to borrow tactics from football or basketball. But shoutout to Hask for mentioning Dorris! He could be huge but expecting players to focus/even acknowledge social media is a dark road

[@paulwood9466]

Matt hansen

[@charlottewalsh1030]

Charlotte Caslick Oz 7’s girl! Payne Haas.? Saifiti twins ?

[@OTYoudecide]

Messi is great but Beckham was a bigger icon

[@wolle101]

After they go who’s Handre Pollard and why is he the highest paid player in the world I just new this was going to be another northern hemisphere bull crap show These people have zero credibility

[@jacqloock]

Kwagga, actually. Lean into the oddness

[@Brandon_ESA]

Harvey Norman > Continental

[@Beray1234]

It’s cheaper for me to take the wife and kids to watch f1 than it is to take them to watch English rugby at home 😳

[@petercresswell5402]

It's interesting to note how many Rugby Social Media outputs utilize Owen Farrell to increase clicks and traffic. Only five minutes ago I saw Ruck on FB with the tag, welcome back to club rugby, image 1 Farrell getting handed off, image 2 Farrell falling over. It's not rockets science people bizarrely love to hate Farrell, clickety clicking f*cking click. Social media accounts know it, and know he has his defenders too, they use him as a marketing tool anyway whether he embraces it or not.

[@JamesMacleanEsq]

Ruck is fan/meme blog, they're not paying a penny to Faz, or anyone else for that matter.

[@petercresswell5402]

@@JamesMacleanEsq I'm not sure I said they did.

[@texas3540]

15 minutes gone and not one player named.