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The five rugby legends inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Monday Nov 25, 2024

Earning even a single top-level international cap is a remarkable accomplishment, but achieving multiple caps is a dream realized by only a select few. Those who not only amass numerous caps but also excel at the highest level, reaching the peak of greatness, deserve immense recognition for their contributions.

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Thankfully, the World Rugby Hall of Fame plays a crucial role in honouring those who have transcended the sport. The inductees for this year hail from both sevens and fifteens.

Emilee Cherry  (Australia) – Inductee No. 167

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 13: Emilee Cherry of Australia makes a break during the Rugby Sevens Women’s Pool B match between Australia and England on day nine of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Robina Stadium on April 13, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

An incredibly talented sevens player who became the first Australian to be named World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year. She performed in two Rugby World Cup Sevens tournaments, gained a Commonwealth Games silver, and gained gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

DJ Forbes (New Zealand) – Inductee No. 168

MONACO, MONACO – NOVEMBER 24: DJ Forbes of New Zealand, Donna Kennedy of Scotland, Chris Laidlaw of New Zealand and Sergio Parisse of Italy pose for a photo as they are inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame, alongside Emilee Cherry of Australia (not pictured), during the World Rugby Awards on November 24, 2024 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Another sevens legend, Forbes won 26 tournaments, six overall series titles, one Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2010, silver in 2014 and a Rugby World Cup Sevens title in 2013. He was also named World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in 2008

Sergio Parisse (Italy) – Inductee No. 169

Sergio Parisse of Italy during the Six Nations International Rugby Union match between Italy and France at Stadio Olimpico on March 16, 2019 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Danilo Di Giovanni/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Arguably Italy’s greatest player and one of the best number eights the game has ever seen, Sergio Parisse had an incredible career that spanned over two decades.

With his white boots and ability to offload and break the line Parisse was not your conventional forward, but he won the respect of rugby fans the world over for his dynamic displays from the back of the scrum, often single-handedly lifting the Azzurri to greater heights.

The first Italian to be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame

Donna Kennedy (Scotland) – Inductee No.170

MONACO, MONACO – NOVEMBER 24: Ugo Monye speaks with Donna Kennedy of Scotland, Chris Laidlaw of New Zealand and Sergio Parisse of Italy during the Hall of Fame inductions during the World Rugby Awards on November 24, 2024 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
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Scotland’s most-capped player, male or female, Donna Kennedy was synonymous with the country’s women’s national team for much of the first two decades of its existence.

Kennedy made her test debut in Scotland’s first-ever international, lining up in the second row and helping her country to a 10-0 victory against Ireland on Valentine’s Day in 1993. A year later she appeared in her first Women’s Rugby World Cup, on home soil, and she would go on to play at five editions of the showpiece tournament.

Chris Laidlaw (New Zealand) – Inductee No. 171

MONACO, MONACO – NOVEMBER 24: John Eales presents a Hall of Fame Induction to Chris Laidlaw of New Zealand during the World Rugby Awards on November 24, 2024 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Considered something of a rugby prodigy in his youth, Chris Laidlaw would fulfil his undoubted potential both on and off the pitch. One of the greatest scrum-halves to ever pull on an All Black number nine jersey, he has gone on to have an influential and varied career outside of the game. After he retired from rugby in 1970, he went on to enjoy a long and distinguished career as a diplomat, politician and broadcaster.

MONACO, MONACO – NOVEMBER 24: A general view as all of the Award Winners from the World Rugby Awards 2024 pose for a photo on the stage with their trophies during the World Rugby Awards on November 24, 2024 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
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Speaking about the selections, new World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “These inductees, representing both sevens and 15s, have graced our sport with their remarkable talent, enduring dedication, and performances at the highest level. On behalf of World Rugby, I extend heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to them for their incredible achievements and the inspiring legacy they have left, which continues to resonate throughout the game.”

Fellow World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee and Chairman of the Hall of Fame panel John Eales said: “Again, this year’s World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees showcase rugby’s values, diversity, and evolution. The class features two rugby sevens stars, marking another Olympiad, and three legends from different eras. Notably, congratulations to Italy’s first-ever inductee, Sergio Parisse. Sergio’s selection celebrates a brilliant career and highlights Italy’s growing achievements amid rugby’s expansion worldwide.

Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)

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