Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Dylan James

The five most watched rugby videos ever with a quarter of a billion views

It is in no doubt that rugby has provided some of the greatest moments in sporting history, from spell-binding tries to dramatic finales and unexpected moments.

We've taken a look at the most viewed rugby videos of all time, the 'crème de la crème' of rugby theatre:

5. Maori All Blacks haka against Canada (32million)

The fact the haka makes it into the top five will be a surprise to nobody, such is its global appeal. In this match, the Maori All Blacks put Canada to the sword, with Akira Ioane and the late Sean Wainui featuring for the historic New Zealand team.

The final score was 51-9, but the demolition job in Vancouver wasn't why this one was remembered: the haka is always impressive, but this version is simply breathtaking.

The Maoris performed their rendition of the haka, which is known as "Timatanga". The war dance was met with a rousing applause from the audience, and the atmosphere inside the ground was electrifying. This video has racked up a huge 32million views on YouTube, making it one of the most watched rugby videos ever.

4. England's incredible haka response (43million)

You can picture it now. The bold V-shape, Owen Farrell's broad smile and the tension reaching boiling point. Arguably the most iconic response to the haka in recent years, it is no surprise England's challenge against the famous Maori tradition is on this list.

At the World Cup semi-final in 2019, England made a hugely impressive challenge against the All Blacks haka, forming a huge V-shape with their players. They would later be fined for the incident, but that fact would fade into insignificance because they won the match.

Farrell's smile in the midst of the haka has gone down as one of the most memorable images in the modern game. Across Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, the video has amassed 43million views.

3. 'Mo Salah' playing rugby (67million)

This video has done the rounds in recent years. Apart from the try being absolutely exceptional, Rhys Williams has an incredible likeness with Liverpool footballer Mohamed Salah. Williams shot to fame back in 2020, when footage of his try for Salford Red Devils against Toronto Wolfpack went viral.

Williams has since given his Salah-like hair the chop, but his iconic video will always have a place in the internet's rugby folklore. He also captained Wales' rugby league team recently and broke the appearance record when they played France in June. From YouTube to TikTok, this clip has garnered 67million views.

2. The greatest haka ever? (68million)

It does what it says on the tin, this one. First of all, you have arguably the most revered New Zealand team in recent history. Secondly, a rip-roaring haka, and finally it was the preamble for the Rugby World Cup final. This one simply could not disappoint.

The All Blacks were over-flowing with world-class ability at the time, with Ma'a Nonu, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read all lining up for the haka. France challenged the New Zealanders with a V-shape much the same to England's, and you would have been able to cut the tension with a knife inside Eden Park that day. Get the popcorn out for this one, it's an incredible watch.

1. Sonny Bill Williams, the nicest man in rugby? (100million)

Across Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, this world-famous video has an incredible 97.5 million views across three separate posts. With a series of reuploads by various accounts across these platforms the figure is likely to have eclipsed the 100million mark.

Sonny Bill Williams had just won the 2015 Rugby World Cup with New Zealand. They had beaten Australia at Twickenham and the players were walking around the ground soaking up the atmosphere when a young boy sprinted onto the field towards Sonny Bill, before being tackled by security. Sonny picked up the boy from the floor, and assured the security guard everything was fine. With his arm around the young man, he walked him back to the stands while they engaged in conversation.

Sonny brought him back to his parents and even handed him his World Cup medal. It is human kindness at its very best, and will go down as one of the best moments in sporting history.

Read next:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.