All Blacks and Springboks greats headline unreal Hall of Fame inductees : PlanetRugby

All Blacks and Springboks greats headline unreal Hall of Fame inductees : PlanetRugby

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World Rugby has confirmed its latest inductees into the Hall of Fame and the list is absolutely loaded with some of the greatest players to ever pick up a rugby ball.

Planet Rugby takes a closer look at the legends who will be joining rugby’s most prestigious group of players.

Inductee #162 – Dan Carter (New Zealand)

Many will argue that the legendary All Black is one of the greatest players to ever grace the game. Carter was unique; so complete in his skill-set from top to bottom with a rugby IQ off the scale.

He burst onto the scene with 20 points in his debut back in 2003 before truly coming into his own in 2005 against the British & Irish Lions when he scored 33 points in what has been described as as the greatest fly-half performance in history.

The All Black would go from strength to strength in his career both with the Crusaders and at Test level. Carter would finish his career with 112 caps for his country scoring 1,598 points – the highest in Test rugby.

During his 12-year Test tenure the superstar won two Rugby World Cups, nine Rugby Championships/Tri-Nations, 13 Bledisloe Cups, one British & Irish Lions series win and three World Rugby Player of the Year awards (2005, 2012, 2015).

Inductee #163 – Thierry Dusautoir (France)

A warrior of a flanker who would hit hard and carry the ball like a man possessed. His influence extended far beyond his playing abilities as he was an inspirational leader for Les Bleus.

Dusautoir skippered France to the 2011 World Cup final where he scored in the game as Les Bleus came close to upsetting the All Blacks in their own backyard.

Over the course of nine years, the great Frenchman amassed 80 caps for his country which included a Grand Slam and a World Rugby Player of the Year award in 2011.

A superstar of a strong era of French rugby and a player who was at the forefront of a lot of good from Les Bleus during that period. A gladiator of our game.

Inductee #164 – George Smith (Australia)

Another flanker on the list and a vastly experienced one at that with a whopping 111 caps won over a 13-year period in Wallaby gold.

Smith redefined the work-rate and skill-set required for his position. The Wallaby was so influential on both sides of the ball with his trademark dreadlocks flying about.

Often touted as one of the greatest Wallabies in history and certainly a big player in the debate for the greatest flank in history. A remarkable figure for club and for country.

Inductee #165 – Juan Martin Hernandez (Argentina)

A Los Pumas legend through and through and a player who could feature in multiple positions across the backline owing to his impressive all-round skill-set and masterful rugby IQ.

Hernandez played a key role in his country achieving their best-ever finish at a World Cup in 2007 as Argentina claimed bronze in France.

Over the course of 15 years, he managed 74 caps for his country which perhaps could have been more if it were not for club commitments, most notably to Stade Francais who he represented over 100 times.

Nicknamed ‘El Mago’ or ‘The Magician’ for good reason, Hernandez is one of the finest players to ever don the blue and white of Argentina.

Inductee #166 – Bryan Habana (South Africa)

A truly rapid wing who burst onto the scene for the Springboks in 2005, scoring tries with unparalleled ease from the word go.

Habana was prolific personified in his playing days and still holds the tier one all-time try-scoring record with a whopping 67 tries at Test level.

The lethal wing showed impressive longevity as well, notching up an impressive 124 Test caps in 12 years, a period during which he would play a vital role in winning the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

During the 2007 edition, Habana equalled the great Jonah Lomu’s record of eight tries in a World Cup which would earn him the World Rugby Player of the Year accolade. Fast forward two tournaments later and in 2015 the Springbok equalled another Lomu record – this time for the most total tries at World Cups.

A simply brilliant rugby player and a legend of the game.

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