"Sometimes he didn't need teammates" - Martin Johnson Names His Five Toughest Opponents
Rugby NewsMonday, 23 August 2021 at 15:35
Here are the five players England legend Martin Johnson selected as his toughest opponents in international rugby.
A giant of the game in more ways than one, the 2003 World Cup-winning captain is widely regarded as one of the greatest locks to have ever played the game.
That famous night in Sydney was Johnson's 84th and final international cap after a stellar career that included playing in three World Cups.
Below he discusses his five toughest opponents from his time on the rugby field.
MARTIN JOHNSON: TOUGHEST OPPONENTS
5. Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand)
Johnson said: " “Played for the All Blacks for ten years, a fantastic competitor and a great captain.”
#4. Joe Roff (Australia)
Johnson said: “You’d put David Campese up there but Roff is my choice. A fantastic all-round rugby player, and old-style wing.”
#3. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
Johnson said: "The Ireland captain was a very special player. A character on and off the field, playing against a young O'Connell in 2002 it was clear he was going to be something really special."
#2. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Johnson: “Just the way he carried himself and the way he spoke to his players, it had a big influence on players around him. A legend of the game,"
#1. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
Johnson said: "A guy like Jonah Lomu could do things that nobody could do and change games.
"We played New Zealand in a really tight pool game in 1999 and we were getting on top of them, then he ran 60 yards and scored a try.
"Nobody else on the field could've scored that try and they went on to win the game. But even he needed his teammates... sometimes he didn't."
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