When it comes to choosing the best rugby players of any era it is very subjective as everybody quite rightly has a valid opinion.

Some will agree with the choice others may not, but one thing is certain and that is the fact that the three players I am going to name were certainly legends of the game during their era and would comfortably fit in any era as gifted and extraordinary athletes.

The first player I am going to name in my humble opinion is quite possibly the best individual Sevens player of all time and that person is of course Waisale Tikoisolomoni Serevi affectionately known simply as Serevi.

Waisale Serevi was indeed a master of the Sevens game and understood as playmaker he could make or break teams defenses with his skillful and unorthodox playing style. In fact it was his silky skills and all round natural ability that put Fiji firmly on the map as the team to beat.

Standing at only 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing approx 75 kilos he was masterful as both playmaker and try scorer, his defensive skills were also pretty impressive for a man of his size.

Serevi once told me: “It wasn’t the size of the man but the size of the man’s heart that mattered”.

Next up is a man who certainly during his playing days was Fiji’s nemesis and the team he represented was one that was linked to Fiji’s throughout all the tournaments they played. The man in question is Eric Rush and the team he represented was New Zealand.

Rush standing at just over 6 feet tall and weighing 85 kilos was a standout 7s player and led his New Zealand team as captain with authority and discipline, not only was he a great captain but also a great player who was as good in attack as he was defense.

In stark contrast to Serevi’s magical moves and nimble skills, Rush was a true worker and a man who would chase you down 60 meters to make a tackle. He was the hard working engine of the team who would make the tackles and deliver the balls to make the tries. He was also a very dependable and courageous player who would give it 100 per cent every time he was on the park.

All these attributes made him a very versatile player who would indeed lead from the front and be there when it mattered making him a must pick for any team.

The third person is the only Rugby player to ever transcend the sport and get global recognition as Rugby’s first and only superstar. His name is Jonah Lomu, standing at a little over 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing approx 120 kilos he was one bear of a man.

His imposing physical presence was enforced even more by his lightening pace and strength in the tackle, this was one person to fear on the rugby pitch.

When it came to the 7s game the space that Lomu was afforded made it almost impossible for them to stop him as he quickly changed up gears and went into overdrive to score time and again for his beloved New Zealand.

Now let’s go into fantasy mode as we imagine all three of these legends playing together at the Hong Kong Sevens.

Can you imagine Rush picking up the loose ball deep inside his half and offloading to Serevi in the tackle? Serevi then glides past one of the players and jinxes another setting up Lomu who is coming into the pass at pace. Lomu would then let fly and hurtle down the try line like a freight train with no one to catch him.

That would indeed be a fine sight to see.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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