With files from Rugby Canada and World Rugby Communications
Five legends of the game will be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame at a special ceremony to celebrate their lives and careers in the game at the hall’s official home in Rugby, England, on Friday 10 November.
An Englishman, an American, a Canadian, a Frenchman and an Argentinean will be honoured at the ceremony, which will also be attended by a host of other rugby luminaries at the Hall of Fame’s state-of-the-art physical home in the town that gave the game its name.
The full list of new inductees (with induction number and country) is: Felipe Contepomi (133, Argentina), Al Charron(134, Canada), Rob Andrew (135, England), Fabien Pelous (136, France) and Phaidra Knight (137, USA).
Confirmation of the class of 2017, as chosen by the World Rugby Hall of Fame panel of experts, takes the grand total of inductees to 137 with each celebrated and profiled within a physical experience in the birthplace of the game that is fully interactive, immersive and delivered in multiple languages.
This year’s induction ceremony coincides with the start of the Rugby World Cup 2019 trophy tour, which will kick off in Rugby town on 10 November taking the famous Webb Ellis Cup all over the globe before arriving in Japan in time for the game’s pinnacle tournament less than two years from now.
World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont, who will be in attendance at the induction ceremony on 10 November, said: “The World Rugby Hall of Fame recognises those who have made an indelible mark on our sport through feats on the field of play, displays of great character or through their tireless and inspirational work in driving forward our great game.
“The latest set of inductions includes some real legends, players who have helped to shape the image of rugby and inspire generations of fans. They all have contributed immensely to the enjoyment we have all felt watching top-level rugby over the decades. Each of these five inductees has made a positive impression on the sport, in their own countries and around the world, that will last the test of time.
"While the Hall of Fame has been in existence for many years, it was just 12 months ago that we opened a permanent home for it in the town that gave our game its name, Rugby. The physical Hall of Fame is proving to be a wonderful focal point for the game and is attracting fans from all over the world to relive the great exploits of rugby's most prominent and talented individuals.”
For more information about the World Rugby Hall of Fame click here.
https://www.worldrugby.org/halloffame/
Editors' notes:
To be eligible for consideration in the World Rugby Hall of Fame, inductees generally have been retired from playing and coaching international rugby for at least three years. They have made an outstanding contribution to the game of rugby while also demonstrating rugby's core values.
The World Rugby Hall of Fame panel consists of: Chairman John Eales (Australia, Hall of Fame inductee six), Pablo Mamone (Argentina), Henri Garcia (France), David Hands (England), Rob Cole (Wales), Anna Richards (New Zealand and Hall of Fame inductee 84).
At the beginning of each year, World Rugby determines if there is a relevant theme for that year's inductions and from there puts a short-list of candidates together. The list is then put to the World Rugby Hall of Fame panel for voting. These votes and a discussion with the World Rugby Chairman determine the final list of candidates to be inducted. Each year approximately five to 10 people are inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame at a presentation, normally held in November.
133. FELIPE CONTEPOMI (ARGENTINA)
Born: 20 August, 1977 in Buenos Aires, Argentina
From Buenos Aires to Bristol, Leinster to Toulon and finally Stade Francais, Felipe Contepomi was a cult hero wherever he played. The qualified surgeon could dissect even the most organised of defences with his dazzling distribution skills and footwork from fly-half, his will to win never clouding the bonhomie in which he approached the game. Forming a world-class half-back partnership with Agustin Pichot, Contepomi was the chief conductor of Argentina’s attack during his 15-year test career as well as being a top-level kicker. In June 2012, he overtook Hugo Porta’s all-time record for points scored and went on to notch 651 in 87 tests, including 16 tries. He appeared in four Rugby World Cups, most notably as an ever-present in the class of 2007 that beat the host nation France twice to claim a historic bronze medal.
134. AL CHARRON (CANADA)
Born: 27 July, 1966 in Ottawa, Canada
One of the most dominant loose forwards in the world during the 1990s, Al Charron played in four Rugby World Cups for Canada and managed the side at a fifth, in 2007. His record of 76 caps stood for 14 years until broken by Aaron Carpenter in the summer of 2017. Standing 1.96m tall and weighing close to 123kgs in his playing days, the Ottawa native cut an imposing figure on the field and opponents feared and admired him in equal measure for his high work-rate and uncompromising play. A fine leader, Charron captained the Canadian national team 25 times – a record he still shares with Gareth Rees. He was also a member of Canada’s squad at the inaugural Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1993 and turned out for the world-famous Barbarians five times. Professionally he played club rugby for Bristol and Moseley in England and with Dax in France. As a mark of respect for his contribution to rugby, not only in Canada but worldwide, Rugby Canada’s national training centre bears his name.
135. ROB ANDREW (ENGLAND)
Born: 18 February, 1963 in Richmond, North Yorkshire
Rob Andrew made a huge contribution to English rugby as a player, director of rugby and then RFU administrator before taking up a career in his second sporting passion, cricket. The Yorkshireman made his international debut for England as a fresh-faced fly-half in 1985 and went on to play an integral part in the side’s revival during the Geoff Cooke/Will Carling era. Andrew featured in three grand slam-winning sides in the 1990s and started the RWC 1991 final against Australia. He also played in the 1987 and 1995 editions, kicking a memorable drop goal to defeat the Wallabies in the quarter-finals. A superb kicker off both feet, the Cambridge Blue amassed 396 points for England and a further 11 in five test appearances for the Lions across the 1989 and 1993 tours. Andrew announced his international retirement in 1995, at which point he left Wasps to begin a decade of service to Newcastle, whom he led to the inaugural Premiership title in his dual role as player/DoR.
136. FABIEN PELOUS (FRANCE)
Born: 7 December, 1973 in Toulouse, France
Pelous is the all-time French record cap holder with 118 test appearances to his name in 12 years as an international. A totem of the French pack from 1995 through to 2007, Pelous was the first second-rower and only the second Frenchman after Philippe Sella to win a century of caps. At the time, Pelous described himself as “average” but that says more about his modesty than his ability which is beyond dispute. Never giving less than 100 per cent, Pelous’ spirit and robustness in the heat of battle made him perfect captaincy material. In total, he led France 42 times including at two Rugby World Cups. Only Thierry Dusatoir has worn the French armband on more occasions. Twelve of his 18 seasons as a professional were with Toulouse, where he helped his hometown club to win two European Cups and three French Championships before announcing his retirement at the end of the 2008-9 season.
137. PHAIDRA KNIGHT (USA)
Born: 4 July, 1974 in Milledgeville, Georgia, USA
Phaidra Knight was born and raised in the small, rural town of Irwinton, Georgia. It was there where she learned the core values of dedication, commitment, hard work, and discipline – qualities that served her well in a highly decorated rugby career that began in 1997 at the end of her first year as a law student. Knight won 33 caps for the USA and appeared at three Women’s Rugby World Cups, in 2002, 2006 and 2010. In the first two tournaments, she was included in the All-World Team twice, and was named USA Rugby Player of the Decade in 2010. Never one to shy away from the physical side of the game, Knight started out as a prop and concluded her playing days at hooker, but most of her 18 years on the field were spent as a tearaway flanker. The University of Winsconsin graduate also played for USA Women’s Sevens, from 2006 to 2009. Knight’s unswerving commitment to rugby continues to this day, as a coach, USA Rugby Board member, TV analyst, and judicial officer.
