RWC: Eight hardest men of rugby

They say playing international rugby is like going to war. Hard men with hard attitudes prevail. So who are hardest and toughest players at this Rugby World Cup? We single out the eight strongest most fearsome blokes at the tournament. If you were in the trenches, these are the men you want alongside you.

1. Richie McCaw (All Blacks)

Captain Richie has to top our list. Is there a tougher player and more inspirational leader than McCaw? He played through the successful 2011 World Cup campaign with a broken bone in his foot and has played more tests than anybody in the history of the game. McCaw is not just a giant of New Zealand rugby; he's a world rugby colossus.

2. Schalk Burger (South Africa)

They don't come much tougher than this Springbok brute. Kiwis have plenty of respect for Burger as a hard man. Not even a serious operation on his spine could stop the veteran South African forward. He's also overcome meningitis. Seeing Burger coming at you for cleanout at the breakdown must be one of the most frightening sights in rugby.

3. Sione Kalamafoni (Tonga)

This bloke reportedly saved seven children from a fire at a Tongan orphanage which means he already qualifies in our book as a tough man. When you add in his performances on the field for Tonga where his 'follow me' hard running style has rocked defenders, he had to be included in our list.

4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)

Have you seen this bloke play? Wow, is he tough. Jones has caught the eye in this tournament. He's gritty and as hard as granite. In fact he's one of the reasons why Wales could go deep in this tournament.

5. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)

Tough as teak and he's been around since Adam was a boy. The long-time Irish captain and Lions lock is not a man to mess with. He has been known to sort out "problems" on the field by letting his fists do the talking. Rivals mess with him at their peril.

6. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

We've just seen off Bakkies Botha and along comes this bloke. He's a giant and dead set frightening on a rugby field, if a lot more gentler off it, and every bit as intimidating as Botha was.

7. Sam Burgess (England)

OK, we know he hasn't yet made his mark in rugby but anybody who saw Burgess play league would never dare question his toughness. He played a starring role in South Sydney's NRL premiership win last year despite suffering a broken jaw in the first tackle of the game.

8. Sonny Bill Williams (All Blacks)
Maybe a controversial selection but would you get in the ring with SBW? He mostly keeps his fists to himself on the rugby field but if he ever waded in, we reckon he would cause some serious damage. And nobody can suggest the man is not mentally tough either.

Sonny Bill Williams takes part in a pool session during training. Photo / Getty Images