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7 Biggest Rugby Players In The World (2024 Edition)

We scour the rugby world to find out which players are the heaviest around.

Published

10 months ago

February 8, 2024

The world of professional rugby has some rather large human beings, but in terms of sheer weight, we’ve rounded up the heaviest and largest players out there.

7. Opeti Fonua (134kgs)

Easily one of the toughest and bestial like players in the world, Opeti Fonua is an absolute giant for A highly physical player, both with and without the ball, Fonua is known for big tackles and strong carries, and is outrageously difficult to tackle, as Mr. Jonny Wilkinson can vouch for (see video below):

6. Will Skelton (140kgs)

The older of the Skelton brothers has become a rugby star in Australia, playing a massive role in the Waratahs’ successful campaigns over the past couple seasons, as well as making an impact for the Wallabies on the international stage. Skelton has incredible ball-handling skills and speed given his gargantuan size.

5. Edwin Maka (142kgs)

The youngest of the Maka brothers has added another 11kg since signing with Toulouse to his already massive frame and he’s still only 24. The massive No. 8 is a difficult customer to bring down with the ball, and he manages to put in some huge hits on defence too. Maka is incredibly mobile for his size too – making him an unpredictable threat for the opposition.

4. Ben Tameifuna (148kgs)

Big Ben Tameifuna has been a massive force for the Chiefs, Racing Metro, Tonga, and Bordeaux and even captained the national side in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where he put in some amazing performances. His sheer size makes him a nightmare to scrum against, but he is also surprisingly mobile and skilful for a prop forward. His fitness is also impressive too, as he can move his frame around for the majority of games without being subbed.

3. Posolo Tuilagi (149kgs)

Son of former Samoa international Henry Tuilagi, and nephew to England centre Manu Tuilagi, Posolo Tuilagi is a big boy that is about to explode on the international scene for France. Coming in at 149kgs and 1.94 metres tall at 19-years-old, Posolo is a sizable unit that plays in the second row for Perpignan. He’s mobile too, being a powerful ball carrier with the ability to break tackles and offload too.

2. Uini Atonio (152kgs)

The world got a glimpse of the giant La Rochelle prop, Uini Atonio, in action when he came off the bench during Les Bleus’ 29-26 win over the Wallabies at Stade de France in November 2013. Since making his international debut, Uini has become a crowd favourite and powerful scrummager and ball-carrier in the French Top 14.

1. Cameron Skelton (153kgs)

The “little” brother of Wallaby and Waratahs star Will Skelton (currently the largest player in Super Rugby) is set to dwarf his colossal sibling when he makes his eventual debut for the Chiefs after signing for the two-time champions last year. The big second-rower wears a size 17 boot (UK) and has moved to New Zealand in hopes of playing for the All Blacks.