That time Josh Lewsey taught Mat Rodgers a lesson and broke his ribs with a crunching tackle

In 2003 Josh Lewsey showed that he’s not to be messed with as he gave Wallaby Mat Rogers the treatment he probably deserved after an earlier altercation in the match.

The Aussie was having a go at him the whole day, and when Lewsey finally got payback, it was well worth it and spectacular to watch.

Rogers recently [edit: Oct 2008]  spoke to the Sun newspaper about how that hit was the hardest hit he’s ever taken, making him feel like he’d been run over.

The broken ribs he was left with were testament to the crunching power of that tackle.

Punches had already been exchanged before Rogers was hit with the now famous sledge-hammer tackle during the Aussies 2003 defeat Down Under.

Rogers, 32, said: “I’ve taken a fair few hits in my time. But that one was like getting run over.

“I think that hit will take the crown as the biggest ever. I just remember lying there writhing in pain, unable to breathe. It left me with broken ribs and for months afterwards I couldn’t go surfing because my rib stuck out on the board!

“I was a young, frustrated fella back then and I guess Josh taught me a hard lesson.”