Rugby World Cup 2023: Most odd players in RWC's famous history

Posted by World Wide Tickets And Hospitality on July 22nd, 2023

The competition's newest part is sure to feature no lack of heroes and villains. New icons will join the likes of Francois Pienaar, Jonah Lomu, Jonny Wilkinson, Bryan Habana, Richie McCaw and Siya Kolisi in rugby legends. But what about the unusual heroes who have also made their mark during the 36-year history of the Rugby World Cup? Here, we give a shout-out to the silent players who made their mark on this hallowed competition.

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Sona Taumalolo from Tonga Rugby World Cup

A powerful, mobile and violent prop, Sona Taumalolo put in some notable acts at the 2011 RWC in New Zealand. Who could forget his bold screams to the French forwards as they raced a late try in what would be a tremor defeat by the Tongans in Wellington? Les Bleus knew the outcome was lost but they badly needed a late try to secure a losing bonus point one that allowed them to sneak into the knockout phases and, ultimately, the final at Eden Park.

They were strong-minded to use their scrum to secure it. Taumalolo and the rest of the Tongan pack had other thoughts. The fiery loosehead rejoiced in the late barrage of scrums. France, for the best, eventually scored through Vincent Clerc out wide but the triumph and the night belonged to Taumalolo, a well-travelled front-rower who had spells with the Waikato Chiefs, Perpignan, Racing Metro and Grenoble before he hung up his boots.

Marius Tincu from Romania Rugby World Cup

An important figure in a hardy Perpignan pack which gave Munster and Leinster plenty of glitches during the old Heineken Cup days, Marius Tincu was a tough client on the pitch but the most laid-back of fonts off it. Pool minnows in 2007 and 2011, Romania shipped some hard results.

But Tincu and the rest of the Romanian forwards arose with plenty of praise in bruising meets against the likes of New Zealand and England. Tincu was part of a Romanian team which almost pulled off an epic upset against the Scots in 2011, only for their memorable rivals to rally in the final 10 minutes of a notable pool clash to record a 34-24 RWC victory.

Pablo Lemoine from Uruguay Rugby World Cup

Uruguay was pure cannon fodder for a lush England side in 2003. The South Americans were destroyed 111-13 by Clive Woodward's star-studded side in Brisbane. There was one moment of insolence from Pablo Lemoine, however. The husky Los Teros prop fixed his name in Rugby World Cup history when he cleared over Danny Grewcock's tackle to score an outstanding try.

No mean feat, given the England lock, sloped the scales at 18 stone and was stared as something of an enforcer during his playing days. Lemoine, who won 48 caps as well as 90 arrivals for Stade. Francais has sustained to blaze a trail on the training front. He took his native Uruguay to the 2015 RWC and, most recently, he has taught Chile to a maiden World Cup thanks to a thrilling 52-51 total victory against the USA in a playoff.

Luke Thompson from Japan Rugby World Cup

Expert of four RWCs, Luke Thompson has pretty much seen it all. Born and bred in New Zealand, Thompson like many of his nationals sought fallows new and began to play some expert rugby in Japan. When he fit on residency, this teak tough lock was drafted into John Kirwan's France Rugby World Cup 2007 squad. But it was in 2015 and 2019 when Thompson would make an enormous impact.

He was on the pitch in Brighton when the Springboks were beaten, and he was in the thick of it four years later in Shizuoka when Joe Schmidt's Ireland hurt the same fate. Japan has been the great entertainer at recent RCWs, but it was tough, uncompromising forwards like Thompson who laid the basis. We are offering Rugby World Cup Tickets Rugby admirers can get RWC Tickets through our trusted online ticketing marketplace. Worldwide tickets and hospitality are the most reliable source to book France Rugby World Cup tickets.

Patricio Albacete from Argentina Rugby World Cup

Big, tough and mean. Patricio Albacete is a typically robust Argentine lock, but he could play a bit as well. Part of the Pumas pack which laid waste to all before them during that unforgettable charge to the RWC semi-finals in 2007, Albacete was a thorn in many hostility packs down the years. A skilful player too, he spent most of a sparkling career on the books of a stellar Toulouse side which stockpiled league titles and Heineken Cups for fun.

Juan Manuel Gaminara from Uruguay Rugby World Cup

Not the biggest or most powerful back-row forward, but full of heart and industry, Juan Manuel Gaminara exemplified the bright Uruguay team which won hearts and minds during the 2019 RWC. His post-match talk after his side produced a huge upset in thrashing Fiji 30-27 made him an instant star.

I don't want this to end, the winning captain said at the time. I'm proud of my nation. We're not the biggest, we're not the highest but we came here to win. We were cooking for this for four years since we qualified. We never take anything for decided. We had to qualify first. You saw the passion for RWC 2023.

Gordon Hamilton from Ireland Rugby World Cup

So near and yet? When Gordon Hamilton sprinted 50 metres downfield for a brilliant solo try against the Wallabies, the old Lansdowne Road vented into rapturous celebrations. The Ireland flanker back late try had seemingly secured the most unlikely of World Cup semi-final arrivals for Ireland. Alas, it wasn't to be. Michael Lynagh touched down to break Irish hearts and the Wallabies would go on to claim the 1991 title a few weeks later.

Mamuka Gorgodze from Georgia Rugby World Cup

'Gorgodzilla' first proclaimed himself on the RWC stage when he led a Georgian team which gave Ireland an almighty scare in Bordeaux. Eddie O'Sullivan's side were lucky to leak with a slender win on the night after Gorgodze and Co had battled to a standstill. The giant No8 would go on to play at three more World Cups and was a standout performer for Montpellier and Toulon in his club career.

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