Jamie Ritchie's brilliant post-match interview, pays tribute to Doddie Weir
Rugby NewsSunday, 13 November 2022 at 21:51
Scotland's new captain Jamie Ritchie is certainly growing into the role with the flanker paying special tribute to Doddie Weir following the All Blacks clash.
The players and fans were inspired by the presence of Weir at Murrayfield today. The legendary lock presented the match ball five years after launching his foundation, which has raised millions for motor neurone disease research.
Doddie Weir presents match-ball:
Jamie Ritchie interview:
He said: "We’re speaking about being brave, but I don’t think anything defines brave more than Doddie Weir. So we are just proud that we could wear his heart on our back and so proud we could represent him."
Doddie Weir reveals his five toughest opponents - includes his hero
RUCK takes a look at who legendary Doddie Weir has selected as the toughest opponents from his incredible rugby career.
The former Scotland international, whose charity the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation has raised more than £5m for MND research, played with and against some of the best players of all-time.
The ranking you see is made up of players Doddie Weir singled out for praise in his Autobiography, My Name'5 DODDIE.
#5. Scott Quinnell (Wales)
- Major teams British and Irish Lions, Richmond, Wales
- Position No. 8
- All Tests 55
He was a cross-code star of the 1990’s, representing Wales in both Union and League. His Test debut came against Canada in 1993, but it was against France in 1994, as Wales were on their way to the Five Nations title, that he announced himself with a stunning solo try. He retired in 2005 to focus on coaching Llanelli, before later becoming a well-liked television pundit.
Weir said: "I've known Scotty for a long time, as a rival, as a fellow tourist, as a pundit, and a lot of hospitality functions. He was the complete player."
DID YOU KNOW? He is the son of legendary Wales flanker Derek Quinnell
#4. Simon Shaw (England)
- Major teams Barbarians, British and Irish Lions, Toulon, Wasps, England
- Position Lock
- All Tests 73
The powerhouse played for Bristol, London Wasps and Toulon. He won 71 caps for England between 1996 and 2011, and two for the British & Irish Lions, with whom he toured 3 times.
Weir said: "I think he is one of the most underrated players in recent history. He had everything."
DID YOU KNOW? Shaw was born 1 September 1973 in Nairobi, Kenya
#3. Richard Hill (England)
- Major teams British and Irish Lions, Saracens, England
- Position Back-row
- All Tests 76
Hill played 288 times for Saracens and 71 times for England making him one of the modern greats of the English game. He also played five Tests for the British and Irish Lions between 1997 and 2005.
Weir said: "He was fantastic guy and a terrific player, someone I got to know really well on that trip (1997 Lion). But in terms of bedroom manners, he was abysmal."
DID YOU KNOW? On his mother's side, Hill is a second cousin removed of film director Peter Jackson, who directed The Lord of the Rings
#2. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
- Major teams New Zealand
- Position Wing
- All Tests 63
The giant All Blacks wing was rugby's first global star. He burst on the scene at the 1995 World Cup with some of the most destructive performances the rugby world had ever seen and with professionalism in its infancy Lomu became rugby's first millionaire.
Weir said: "He took the 1995 World Cup by storm. There were plenty of players who were six foot five and nearly nineteen stone, but none I knew who could run the 100m sprint in 11 seconds."
DID YOU KNOW? Lomu scored tries against every major test playing nation in World Rugby except South Africa (12 matches) and Wales (3 matches)
#1. Joost van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
- Major teams Blue Bulls, Bulls, South Africa
- Position Scrum-half
- All Tests: 89
Regarded as one of the greatest scrum-halves the game has ever seen, Van der Westhuizen was capped a total of 89 times during a 10-year international career and was a key member of the Springboks side that lifted the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Weir said: "From a rival who almost single-handedly ended my career as an international number 8, to a standard-bearer in the fight against Motor Neurone Disease, and, eventually, a victim of this cruel disease. He was unstoppable on his day."
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading
