Rugby union: 10 of the most engaging and funny interviews ever seen featuring Nick Cummins and Joe Marler
Rugby union is full of some of the wildest and most wacky characters who have been known to express themselves both on and off the pitch.
As the game entered the digital age of comprehensive media coverage, it was certain that there were to be some brilliant interviews with rugby’s stars.
Planet Rugby unearths 10 of the most engaging and funny interviews from some of the game’s greatest characters to date.
Ruby Tui at the Olympics (Black Ferns)
Blacks Ferns star Ruby Tui with an absolute gem of an interview filled with togetherness crediting their Russian opponents on and off the field. The 30-year-old also teases the English stars in the Great Britain side! A brilliant character who is only looking for joy.
🙌 Loving the energy of the Black Ferns' Ruby Tui.
🇳🇿 Surely the best interview of #Tokyo2020pic.twitter.com/fHxZQ8auxs
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) July 30, 2021
Ruby Tui at the Rugby World Cup (Black Ferns)
Passion personified, Tui is back on our list as she commands the microphone after filling up Eden Park for the first time in this year’s World Cup. So if you are thinking of doubting Tui and her team, think again.
What a performance in front of a home crowd by the @mastercard #POTM, @rubytui 🇳🇿
This is what it means to her 🔥#RWC2021 | #AUSvNZL | #Priceless pic.twitter.com/bWrXcy9AVq
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 8, 2022
Nick Cummins (Wallabies and Western Force)
The ‘Honey Badger’ was an excellent exponent of the post-match interview, so much so that only a compilation of all his best moments was fitting. A player who littered similes and metaphors whenever he spoke but was “as tough as Woodpecker lips” on the field! Simply legendary from one of the great character’s of rugby union.
😭 We miss Nick Cummins' interviews.
There are some absolute classics here. 🤣pic.twitter.com/jBoagoU3tI
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 23, 2022
Brendan Venter (Saracens)
“Three cheers for Sireli Bobo!” Absolutely priceless from a fuming Brendan Venter, who wanted anything else but to be interviewed after his side’s defeat. One thing is for certain, he will “think about it deeply”. Some say Venter is still in thought to this day.
🗣️ “Three cheers for Sireli Bobo…”
It's been 11 years to the day since this classic Brendan Venter interview. 🤣pic.twitter.com/Z820nDlLHP
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) December 11, 2021
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Joe Marler being, well, Joe Marler with his ‘Irish horse’! A metaphor stretched far too much for his own good simply results in a comedic monologue from the front-row. Do us all a favour, never ever change, Joe.
Best rugby interview of the decade Part 4.#HesASlightlyIrishHorse pic.twitter.com/GlpxJ6qZ5a
— Jamie Phillips (@JNPhillips4) December 31, 2019
Max Lahiff (Bristol Bears)
Another legendary character in front of a microphone, only this one is prepping for a “gladiatorial confrontation”! Simply brilliant from Lahiff, who brings a relatable honesty to this interview as he searched for his lungs in his last game. Excellent stuff and someone who was always destined to be a media star when he hung up his boots.
Don't really know what to say about this… 🤷♂️
The one, the only @LahiffMax delivering once again in his pitch walk interview! 🤣🤣🤣#BRIvWAS | #BristolBears pic.twitter.com/GwS2wTnABy
— Bristol Bears 🐻 (@BristolBears) March 12, 2021
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)
The front-row wears his heart on his sleeve over his emotional rejection from the British and Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa in 2021. What a way to respond with a man-of-the-match performance straight after being omitted. Sinckler would end up going on the tour after Andrew Porter withdrew because of injury.
"It means so much to me.
"In a year or two i'll look back on it and it'll all make sense, but right now it doesn't."
Incredible honesty from @BristolBears' @KyleSinckler.
Visibly emotional, he discusses how it felt to miss out on #LionsRugby selection. pic.twitter.com/60H30rku4R
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) May 8, 2021
Ellis Genge (England)
The England star is completely fed up in this one with how the media responds to the English performances and takes the sting out of every question and adds venom to every answer. Wonder how much the “sausages” enjoyed that!
When Ellis Genge delivered this memorable #SixNations post-match interview
And called everyone a bunch of sausages 🌭😆
— Steve Trenchard (@SteveTrenchard1) April 4, 2020
Juan Gaminara (Uruguay)
This one is a real tear-jerker as the Uruguay skipper simply cannot contain his pride in his team and his country after their maiden win against Fiji! These are the moments where rugby shows what it is all about. Look at how much it means to him!
¡FELICITACIONES CAPITÁN!@Juangaminara @RugbyUruguay #RWC2019 #RWCKamaishi #FIJvURU #WebbEllisCup pic.twitter.com/j22mhDlYvK
— Rugby World Cup ES (@rugbyworldcupes) September 25, 2019
Constant Beckerling (Wits Rugby)
“The guys played with enormous testicles!” There was no mincing of the words for the University of Witwatersrand captain Constant Beckerling. Bizarre, to say the least but bursting with joy and pride, he certainly does look a happy skipper!
"The guys played with enormous testicles". 🔥🙌 #MondayMotivation
On 4 April the FNB Varsity Cup 2021 kicks-off & we can't wait to see captains inspire their teams with passion like this! Former @WitsSport captain Constant Beckerling's speeches were legendary!#RugbyThatRocks pic.twitter.com/ugN4EwDJMp
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) March 29, 2021
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