Top 10 Greatest WINGERS in Rugby History

In this video we take a look back at the Greatest Wingers to ever play Rugby and rank them through 1-10.
We take into account try scoring records, longevity, peak ability and trophies won when determining each player's ranking.

[@RelentlessRugby]

I asked people to vote before making this list and Cauacaunibuca didn't make the cut kzbin.infoUgkxQa6iWBW8rt8DtPi8WDTFJPEN6hSawlwh In terms of peak ability maybe he is Top 10 but only 9 appearances at test level counts against him when considering achievements and longevity

[@rikimackey7984]

Peak ability he is number 1 and daylight second 😂

[@francisraw2459]

Caucau played his rugby on club level his only good at club level not international

[@liamyoung1299]

@@francisraw2459 oh yeah?! Basically destroyed Scotland on his own. The only difference between Rups and all these others is opportunity. Caucau is definitely the best.

[@hanyazzam5073]

If you had asked the professional players or the commentators to vote and you will be surprised only 1 or 2 from your list would have appeared on their list.

[@championthewonderhorse9733]

It's also worth pointing out that Lomu scored the winning try in the 83rd minute in the greatest game of all time - All Blacks v Wallabies in Sydney, 2000.

[@user-oc1fh6eb8g]

Finally list where jeff wilson is included from south african this guy was great to watch

[@alfredkillian3656]

As a South African, it was awful, watching him.

[@EnricoduPlessis]

Agree 100% with the top two. Would have preferred Campo as no 3 at least. Even as a South African, Campo is mah man! Had the pleasure of making his acquaintance on local flight from Jhb to Durban once, when he was still training the Sharks. His humble demeanour and huge rugby-wisdom made me one of his biggest fans. Kudos to Campo. As for Lomu - well, words fail to give proper honour. What a role model for NZ youth. You will live on in the heart of every true lover of this wonderful game. RIP big guy.

[@vaitoloa5473]

Yes Campese should be up there

[@thepeanutbutterpickerings396]

Rupeni Caucaunibuca was amazing to watch live. He moved like Christian Cullen and had the strength of Jonah Lomu. He should have had a much better career than he ended up having.

[@zatoichi3134]

like Cullen, Rupeni was smooth they had the style and speed that would've suited 200m track events imo. peace

[@teawaruaedwards274]

The Cucumber had to LEARN how to be a PROFESSIONAL....and he was a failure at it. Too LAZY and prone to HOMESICKNESS. HE had the TALENT but was TOO FLACKY when you wanted CONSISTENCY from an OBVIOUS running machine.

[@jldp24]

He was good for 2 years at the highest level..then he played 2nd div in Framce.

[@neilbe7118]

Bro jonah was stronger lol

[@andrewcavenagh9016]

Almost certainly the most naturally talented of them all, but can hardly make any top 10 list given his lack of longevity at the highest level and relatively few international appearances. But so watchable in his prime, especially for the Auckland Blues....

[@easygarden777]

And Lomu turned down $1,000,000 for one year to move from rugby to play NFL for the Dallas Cowboys ... RIP Jonah ❤ He was such a great ambassador for New Zealand, too ... Made us all proud to be New Zealanders 🏅

[@foley6449]

Great vid! Gotta shoutout these greats too! Cristophe Dominici John Kirwan Rory Underwood Rupeni Caucaunibuca Daisuke Ohata Tony Woodcock that one time against Australia in 2008 Ieuan Evans Julian Savea

[@groovedohg]

@Foley. Woodcock?!?!?! I take it sarcasm is in place here like Dane Coles being a great winger. Can recall Woodvocks try against Ausdue bug willvsearch it now. Legendary Prop

[@tombutcher3021]

ahhh what about the grey fox Philippe Bernat-Salles. He was grey in his 20s and my gid he gassed all the best in the world. Including the 99 rwc when they took apart NZ. The silver fox was brilliant.

[@A-Tango]

All great players but no list would be complete without Gerald Davies.

[@johnf991]

Agreed!!

[@nevillescates1379]

Who?

[@johnf991]

@@nevillescates1379 Great Wales and British Lions winger winger form the 1970s era (played in the winning 1971 series against the All Blacks) who had acceleration and a sidestep to die for.

[@matthewbrotman2907]

New Zealand had Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, and Jeff Wilson playing together.

[@dirkmeatwhistle3552]

Greatest back three in All Black history...greatest back three in rugby history

[@theooberholzer3734]

Making them the most amazing back three combination in history!

[@morapelimokokomali7907]

Should've been illegal 😂

[@JohanSchmidt]

Nice pic - so many could have been included Carel du Plessis (SA 1986), Ray Mordt (SA 1981 Patrick vs NZ), Joe Roff (Aus), N'tamak (France), JJ Williams (B&I Lions 1974), Bryan Williams (NZ 1970 tour to SA) etc - wonderful to watch these legends

[@harrycallahan9069]

It's not very often but Jonah picks himself in the top spot and by a clear margin

[@santomusic3981]

The only ‘top ten’ that everyone knew who’d be no 1! RIP Jonah.

[@jonjoe21194]

Shane Williams was always a joy to watch

[@jzkramer]

Not a bad fist of it, would have to put Campese above Williams for the fact that he was the best back in the World in his prime, and Rugby World Cup MVP in 91.

[@B1000ad]

Great video. I'm Irish and have to agree the southern hemisphere has always produced the best wingers. Maybe its the good weather and hard tracks but definitely the standard is better below the equator.

[@MartensAD]

I think the little bok steppers Kolbe and Arendse might be climbing the ladder.

[@daniebooysen1703]

Thanks for a great video. A truly objective assesment. Agrees 100% with 1 and 2. Thank you Sir.

[@1982PRA]

Before his career was hampered by injury I thought nehe Milner skudder was shaping up to be a great all black wing. Devastating side step

[@thomas_corbet]

Good vid! Just fyi though, Clerc isn't the one who scored the most tries for France, that's Serge Blanco.

[@MarcelMank]

The first goosestep I ever saw, was Campeses. My mind is still trying to proces it.

[@lonestar6709]

If Jason "Billy Whizz" Robinson had committed to Union earlier, he'd top the list, for me. The most dangerous runner, I ever saw.

[@montyking6552]

I know it’s a small thing, but Shane Williams did not score the winning try against Australia 8’ 28” He scored the last try, but Wales lost the game. Campo was an incredible winger for his time, I get that Jonah is 1 for his size and power, but size isn’t everything

[@strangemachines_]

Great video, I have to say, I think Jeff Wilson is top 5 but that’s my own opinion, otherwise loving this list brings back memories. Well done.

[@rogerhawkins6433]

Nah! Wilson wouldn’t make my top 50 & I’m a Kiwi!!! Terry Wright???

[@RedGloveBoxing]

That move by North at 0:48 was ridiculous

[@theooberholzer3734]

I endorse this list ... 100% spot on!

[@StevenBenjaminAuthor]

as a South African, I must say Brian Williams has to be on the list. (I would have special mentions of Joe Roff and Ray Mordt/Niel Burger/Carel Du Plessis tho the latter few didn't have many International appearances due to sanctions)

[@jasonsmith7001]

Good call on Joe Roff..

[@mikestray76]

It's so hard with top 10 lists like this because so many great players and depends how far back you want to go. From a New Zealand perspective I look back at some wingers not in the list such as John Kirwan (Try against italy in first world cup has to be a contender for greatest solo try ever) Also Stu Wilson, Brian Williams, Inga Tuigamala, Julian Savea, Rieko Ioane, Joe Rokococo, Ron Jarden, so many great players, as do the other teams have so many also.

[@monian2877]

Shane Williams above Campese? You Kidding!! How about Inga Tuingamala!

[@tombutcher3021]

good call

[@derekmahony3227]

Rory Underwood should be on that list. Campese is number 2 for me, hard argue with the rest.

[@Naasjpn]

Ray Mordt

[@user-nf3ro5rg7t]

Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett deserve a shout here.

[@southpacific3160]

Lomu was mercurial when he first came onto the international scene, but his star eventually faded and was routinely criticized for being lazy and washed up. Little did the rugby public know of his stuggle with kidney disease, which ultimately robbed him (and us) of what should have been a far longer and devastating career, perhaps without the slump in form - what could have been, and yet he still makes the top of many lists such as this.

[@MrSuperdave75]

JJ Williams. The end.

[@runganomagadu3607]

I respect this as someone's opinion, but using facts, two comments: 1. Jonah Lomu will probably be the most iconic wing to play the game. He was big, fast and made try scoring look easy. But to call him the greatest wing is not accurate in my opinion. His strike rate was eclipsed by a few other wings. He was the first of the big, tough wings but his numbers are not as great as many others on the list. 2. Julian Savea CANNOT be outside the top ten wings of all time. The number of tries he scored and his strike rate while doing it cannot be ignored. Also, he was crucial on the All blacks RWC victory of 2015 so he wasn't scoring"meaningless" tries. I am an Aussie fan btw, but I don't like how these ratings always portray Lomu as an unparalleled genius yet others have better stats

[@hannotn]

I'm a kiwi, but I'd rate Habana as a better all-round winger than Lomu. Had a much broader skillset and strike rate. Also Lomu was hopeless in defence... the odd big hit, but didn't mark up well or move that great in defence.

[@1737kushu]

@@hannotn Agree about Lomu's defence, but he put lots of fear and doubt in the opposition which I reckon made him more dangerous than Habana. But Habana's skills are definitely a spot above. Campo is another with not so great defence stats. He had a couple of howlers in Bledisloe matches! The only one missing to me is JK.

[@sinceagesago5258]

Stats don't mean everything, when jonah got ball in hand the crowd will light up everytime and he did things on the field that no one has done before him and since. It's the way jonah scores his tries what makes him great not how much tries he scored. Jonah fell ill when he left high-school and at the age of 19 he was the youngest ever all black not even classified as an adult beating full grown beard men at there own positions with only 4 class matches prior before the all blacks. He was the first rugby global superstar who put rugby union on the map! Sink that in for a minute and appreciate greatness. Stats ain't everything.

[@1737kushu]

@@sinceagesago5258 Agree on all you say. Jonah played U19's for Mt Wellington Club and nearly beat the top team that year (Marist) on his own. He really carved them up. A great memory. That's from a Marist ex-player and Union delegate.

[@AfroGaz71]

​​@@sinceagesago5258 Agreed! People tend to forget just how much of a phenom he was. He was a global superstar. There was nothing better in rugby than watching Lomu in full flight as he casually swatted away opponents. 😂

[@jldp24]

If we talking wingers who performed in big games ..Jonah takes it hands down..man had bmt. Nadolo is top 3..he is a destroyer with offload skills to boot. Robinson and Folau were both fb and wingers. Thats my top 4. Maybe Savea or habana..in their primes..if you talking best careers the top 10 would look different. Rupeni was special but was o ky exceptuonal for three years if that. I watched them all. Howlett was a finisher..but didnt create as much.

[@SJSchreuder]

Yet Lomu failed to win the World Cup against South Africa 😂😂😂 Lomu never even scored a try, in his whole career, against South Africa

[@BillOsano]

Best in the world at the mo is probably Damien Penaud. Phenomenal player over last 3 years

[@wellington12able]

Rupeni Caucaunibuca ?

[@wlk2408]

No, Cheslin Kolbe is strange. Habana should be no.1. His stats are insane. No other wing comes close. If you then consider Habana played in teams that played a forward dominated game and not a ball in hand attacking style, then you realize how special he was to achieve those record stats.

[@jmbcars]

Kolbe is too early in his career. I think Habana is technically the better player however Jonah defined a new age of rugby and changed the game like no one else. That's why he's seen as the greatest.

[@anotherstormer]

I also think Habana has a far greater range of skills and was as impactful without the ball (tackling, jackling, chasing and looking for the intercept) as he was with it but Lomu at his time defined the fledgling pro game.

[@johnmc3862]

Great list, forward pass @ 1:19

[@markrutherford6010]

Top 5 best wingers ever are: Lomu,Habana,Campese,Duckham,Kirwan. The top two in my opinion is : Lomu,Habana.

[@mapesonetavui6287]

What happen to Wingers like AB’s The Legend BJ Williams, JK, S.Wilson or is this players ?

[@stephenjones7188]

We all have favs but Gerrard Davies and Dai Duckham have got to be included

[@ponk59]

No Gerald Davies? Tuigamala? Duckham? It’s not all about numbers. I’d put Campo at tree, above Williams, four, G Davies, five, etc.

[@euanwalters8246]

Julian Savea should be in there. His try scoring record is phenomenal.

[@markrutherford6010]

There is only two wingers ever who can run through entire teams from goal line to goal line. There is only two wingers who don’t need gaps to run through. John Kirwan and Jonah Lomu.

[@tamanimaiesia5344]

Rupeni Caucau would've been in this list had he played for a Tier 1 nation.

[@ciaranmac646]

Or had he not eaten an entire buffet and an extra large cheesecake everyday for the 10 years he spent in France.

[@babyjoe_679]

The Greatest Center of all time "Brian O'Driscol" had played with or against most if not all of those players, but one time he was interviewed on is the best player in the backlines of all players and he said, "Caucau is someone you Love playing with bur scared playing against as he can score almost abytime he wants to". That statement alone is enough to tell you where or what he'd do to all these names in that top 10

[@rikimackey7984]

In his prime he smoked every other winger he came up against and was on another level to Howlett, Rokocoko, Joe Roff etc

[@tombutcher3021]

@@rikimackey7984 He made international wingers look slow.

[@mikestray76]

Hmmm, the greatest centre of all time was smokin' Joe Stanley. (In my opinion of course!)

[@phillipjswanepoel8044]

A lot of arguments around this top ten list, bar for no1 and no2. Personally I would find place for John Kirwan, but gr8 list

[@Naasjpn]

Va'aiga Tuigamala

[@kennethjames9416]

Gerald Davies

[@sibusisosimama7501]

I understand Lomo was very strong winger with pase but Habana for me is the greatest winger who could also defend when needed,Habana is my number1

[@eugenetimihou6504]

Where’s John Kirwan,he was the man during his career

[@marctoleafoa5864]

Needed more All Blacks, but 💯 agree that Lomu is the GOAT.

[@montybrewster7]

Damned fine list that sir. Personally i'd have had joe roff in there but it's hard to argue with your top 10.

[@paulmihaere8270]

Rupeni was the best by far Unfortunately his discipline to training didn't match his sheer natural ability During his time with the blues he destroyed teams single handed making the best from Oz , NZ and SA look like amateurs. He done the same when he went to Europe scoring some ridiculous tries Definitely a once in a life time player who gets a spot in my fantasy team with Jonah on the other.

[@shaheempashua6924]

Habana is the greatest winger of all time

[@racketman2u]

The only problem with this list is the fact that the winger is at the end of a line of backs, and often his job is just to fall over the try line. If his team is never good enough to get the ball to him, he doesn't get to do anything. Conversely, champion sides make wings look like stars.

[@mikestray76]

"His job is just to fall over the try line..." Hehe so you're obviously not a rugby player. Finishing is a very unique skill and great wingers are great finishers. But that's not all they do, obviously they have to be part of the defense also. They have to take high balls, run the ball back from kicks, ensure they run the right lines, fulfill whatever role they have in various set plays, etc,etc. You should watch a video of Jonah Lomu at his best if you haven't already. Falling over the line is kind of an understatement...

[@ianmcmaster274]

Cheslin kolbe??? Good grief “the man that sidesteps raindrops needs to be here ” !!!!!

[@johnvane5240]

Campese at number 4? Jonah is rightly at number 1 but Campese is surely a clear second. I can only assume that you never had the good fortune to watch the man play.

[@melivulaisakalo2876]

#1 caucau #2 lomu #3 john kirwan

[@user-oc1fh6eb8g]

shane and jason unbelieve side steppers best the world have seen

[@SJSchreuder]

Not better than Kolbe.

[@bryanbabusi4977]

Brian Habana 🇿🇦

[@mauricemunoz242]

Dude seriously…. ? George north and Robinson… come on mate…!!!

[@duncanwilson5170]

Rugby was played before the year 2000…. TGR Davies, JJ, Duckham…

[@thefobbie0034]

WOW no Caucaunibuca Kirwan (the one guy Campese could not handle!) Ray Mordt, Carel du Plesis J J Williams Gerald Davies David Dukham

[@JoeTodd6]

Excluding Kirwan, your list of Dinosaurs have about 20 test tries combined

[@thefobbie0034]

@@JoeTodd6 LOL yeah and if you had watched these guys play then you would know that back then most of these guys played a maximum of 4 - 6 test matches per year! But as I digress - you obviously never saw these guys play that's why your comment is so limited to the amount of tries they scored!

[@douglasherron7534]

@@thefobbie0034 Agree completely. The number of test tries scored is meaningless because players in the amateur era played a lot fewer tests every year (for obvious reasons). Also, with the exception of the 5 Nations, there were no international tournaments for players to rack up "meaningful" tries. Apart from that, @Joe Todd merely demonstrated his complete ignorance of the sport since Gerald Davies racked up 20 test tries on his own, from 46 matches for Wales. By his measure, Naas Botha wouldn't make it into a list of the best outside halfs... BTW: No Ieuan Evans?

[@thefobbie0034]

@@douglasherron7534 - Exactly it was either 5 Nations or tours which was a massive attrition rate! People don't know that Gerald Davies and JJ WIlliams were speed merchants with a deadly in and out swerve! The fact that they don't know how massive the 1974 Lions in South Africa was yet these 2 players were massive contributors on that tour. Wales was the no1 team in the world at that time because of players like these 2 plus the other great 13 players that team had! They dominated the 5 Nations for quite some in the 70s - and the 5 Nations was strong then! Cracks me up when people do not understand how great Naas Botha was - he would dominate rugby today with that boot of his and his ability when to run it especially if he had Gerber outside him! Leuan Evans? Mm certainly had speed and could beat a man, some good foot work but thought his defence let him down sometimes but in saying that good covering blindside winger - understood that role well! None of those wingers in the list from this link would make my top 6 best wingers of all time except for Lomu and MAYBE Campese - Campese vs British Lions 1989 exposed all Campese's weaknesses

[@bengutsell]

Lomu No.1 without doubt. The greatest.

[@davidhogg657]

Like many here, i would highlight the glaring omission of rupeni caucaunibuca. Arguably the best ever winger, or at least the most capable.

[@brucefale6132]

His international career stats say otherwise.

[@davidhogg657]

@Bruce Fale that's Fiji though isn't it? Half their players playing abroad, unavailable in that era. Money to be made in France, which is exactly what I would have done if I had his natural talent.

[@rikimackey7984]

He scored 10 tries in 8 tests for Fiji.

[@nelsoncasquilho9654]

LOMU NEVER SCORED AGAINST THE SPRINGBOKS...IF YOU LOOK AT THE TRIES OF LOMU ..A FEW WHERE COS THE OPPOSITION WERE SCARED TO TACKLE HIM, FRANCE AND ENGLAND

[@bernardguynunns5658]

I'm a Kiwi and I have never rated Jonah as high as others do.

[@napstersmall1806]

Caucau can easily beat all the wingers mentioned in this list 🤣🤣🤣

[@normanharris6023]

mostly european wingers who never stood out amongst their southern hemisphere counters.....where is caucaunibuca on this list....he was far better than half of these guys...!!

[@quadecooper8508]

6 Southern Hemisphere players v 4 Northern Hemisphere players in this vid so it's not mostly European wingers

[@ifgfqageneration6939]

@@quadecooper8508 still too many

[@rikimackey7984]

He was better than all of them prime vs prime imo

[@2112TinTin]

Gerald Davies should be in the top 10 surely?

[@joshuafeni1833]

Savea ?? was whole BUS in his prime who did you leave him out

[@MrKev1664]

where's John Kirwan he made mincemeat of Campo every time they faced each other

[@williammaxwell1919]

40% of your top 10 wingers are Kiwi, Campo was amazing to watch but he paled against Lomu who played his entire professional career with a disability that ultimately took his life. He Toa Jonah

[@Naasjpn]

JJ Williams

[@Naasjpn]

Carel du Plessis

[@jeremaianiurua2122]

Caucau #1 and Lomu #2...

[@philippemartin2905]

1/ Lomu 2/ Campese 3/ Habana 4/ Penaud 5/ Williams

[@kumulsfan8090]

No caucau, pointless list

[@Naasjpn]

John Kirwan

[@wobblertv8083]

Gerald Davies was a top ten winger ...

[@kiwishamoo6494]

Doug Howlett? 49 tries...

[@RelentlessRugby]

4:10

[@kiwishamoo6494]

@@RelentlessRugby Cheers, I was scrubbing through the timeline and it was showing Jason Robinson

[@john-cx4ez]

Peak the bus Julian savea

[@sidgoing1]

Ok...let me explain something. If you rank New Zealand rugby wingers only in order, it should go something like this.... Jonah John Kirwan Jeff Wilson Bryan Williams Julian Savea Stu Wilson Ron Jardin Doug Howlett Joe Roc's I do not care how many tries they scored. That is the ranking I believe they should come roughly in at. John Kirwan should be ranked right beside David Campese and easily ahead of Shane Williams. It is also a crime not to have Repeni on here. He is probably the most freakish rugby player I have ever seen. When he was with the Blues in '03'. Crazy! So I would take both Howlett and Joe Roc's off this list and replace with JK and Repeni! Apart from that, I agree with your top 2. Whilst I feel there have been better wingers than Habana, it is his ability to stay at the level he did for the length of time he did that makes him so good. And Jonah just goes without saying.

[@sidgoing1]

And I'd also put Joe Roff right up there as well as Ray Mordt as some of the greatest wingers I've seen. I also enjoyed watching Ieuan Evans back in the day.

[@RelentlessRugby]

Thanks for your comment, can you give me your ranking of the Top 10 All Blacks Fly Halves ever?

[@sidgoing1]

@RelentlessRugby Carter Fox Merts Wayne Smith B. Barrett Spencer Mounga Thats about it. The rest sort of all merge into one.

[@tombutcher3021]

No sivivatu?

[@sidgoing1]

@tombutcher3021 yep. Personally I'd have him ahead of Joe Roc's. Just jamming a list together. Can't remember everyone 😅

[@jasonsmith7001]

Shane Williams above Campese? No not at all. Yes Lomu the Legend at 1 and with Campo at 3 he could easily be 2. But good list all round otherwise. Would have Rokoku at 4.

[@kaopointmanneil5862]

This list is lucky noone can decide if Isreal Folou is a Fullbaxk or a Winger. Probably the best at both to be honest.

[@Naasjpn]

Jannie Engelbrecht

[@TheAidanomalley]

John Kirwan?

[@Naasjpn]

Yoshihiro Sakata

[@Naasjpn]

Tom van Vollenhoven

[@melonfarmers1]

Where is John Kirwan?

[@krulesports5339]

Julian savea

[@usul1807]

Rupene was better than Howlett. He didn't get many internationals because he played for Fiji.

[@SJSchreuder]

Lomu was great, but not the best. He wasn’t a good defender or good under the highball. Habana definitely nr1, his strike rate was better and he is the top try scorer. Kolbe should also be on the list.

[@horiraniera9649]

Porsché Woodman?? 200 first class tries?

[@gavinlocke5980]

John Kirwan the king 🤴

[@PeterAdams-fx3my]

Top spot belongs to Brain Habana. Jono Lumo could never score a trie against South Africa. Habana outscored him by nearly 3 times.

[@kumulsfan8090]

Caucau is the best on this list lol, although i do really like shane williams, i think hes abit underated

[@tombutcher3021]

He struggled against the southern Hem teams, he was great though.

[@SPEED-si4xy]

And none of them are even close to what Rupeni could do .... hopeless video!!!

[@tumbleweedlyfe]

Howlett ?? You must be kidding?

[@samoabeast2757]

FAR OUT ONLY 1 CAN GO PASS DEFENSE