Six Legends to be Inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame

(28 Oct 2021) Osea Kolinisau (Fiji), Humphrey Kayange (Kenya), Huriana Manuel-Carpenter (New Zealand), Cheryl McAfee (Australia), Will Carling (England) and Jim Telfer (Scotland) are to be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame this year.

The six inductees excel within two themes selected by the Hall of Fame panel for 2021, rugby sevens and the Olympic Games in a big Olympic year, and the 150th anniversary of the first international match between Scotland and England in March 1871.

Kolinisau captained Fiji to their first-ever Olympic medal with gold at Rio 2016, while Manuel-Carpenter won silver with New Zealand as rugby sevens made its Olympic debut in Brazil.

Kayange also played in Rio but he and RWC Sevens 2009 winning captain McAfee (nee Soon) were members of the World Rugby bid team that convinced the International Olympic Committee members to elect rugby sevens to the Olympic programme in October 2009.

This year, Kayange was elected to the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission and as an IOC Member, furthering rugby’s voice within the Olympic movement.

In recognition of the 150th anniversary of the first international match, one player from England and Scotland will be inducted in former grand-slam winning England captain Will Carling and legendary former Scotland captain and coach Jim Telfer.

The six inductees will bring the number in the Hall of Fame to 154 since inception in 2006.

World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee (No.6) and Chairman of the Hall of Fame panel, John Eales, said, “The 2021 inductees for the World Rugby Hall of Fame are representative of all that is good in our game. Each of them have been outstanding players in either sevens or 15s and they have also been important contributors to rugby, in their own countries and globally, off the field. As Chair of the selection panel, I am so proud that the World Rugby Hall of Fame is able to recognise such worthy inductees, who have inspired generations of rugby players and fans through their many noteworthy achievements.”

The World Rugby Hall of Fame selection panel comprises Eales, secretary David Hands (England), Henri Garcia (France), Pablo Mamone (Argentina), Rob Cole (Wales), Anna Richards (New Zealand) and Wayne Smith (Australia).

Rugby pictures: Pictures from 2019 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2018 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2017 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2016 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2015, Pictures of the Asia Rugby Sevens Olympic Games Qualifier in Hong Kong, Pictures of Singha Thailand Sevens 2015, Pictures from the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour in Hong Kong, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2014, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2013, Pictures of Chartis Cup 2012 and Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2012.