For many, the bonds formed on the field and the lessons learned from working as a team have helped propel them to success in other areas of life. From Hollywood actors to world leaders, the discipline and solidarity of rugby have left a lasting impact on these famous figures.
Here's a look at 10 well-known personalities who once embraced the rough and tumble of rugby before they reached stardom.
Luke Combs
The country music sensation played rugby during his college days at Appalachian State University. Rugby gave Combs an outlet for his competitive spirit before he fully committed to his music career.
Gareth Bale
Known for his skills in soccer, particularly at Real Madrid, Bale also played rugby in his younger years in Wales. His agility and speed on the rugby field likely contributed to his eventual success as a world-class footballer.
Elon Musk
Known for founding Tesla and SpaceX, Musk briefly played rugby while at Pretoria Boys High School in South Africa. Though his time on the field was short, it helped him develop resilience and teamwork skills that he later used in his business ventures.
Dakota Kai
WWE star Dakota Kai has a strong rugby background from her childhood growing up in New Zealand. She excelled in touch rugby as a kid, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Pat Crowley, who was an All Black in the late 1940s. Pat Crowley represented New Zealand as a flanker, making 21 appearances for the All Blacks between 1949 and 1950, and was well known for his physicality and tenacity on the field. Traits that Dakota has carried into the WWE wrestling ring.
Javier Bardem
Before becoming an Oscar-winning actor, Bardem played rugby for the Spanish national age grade team. His experience on the pitch gave him discipline and focus, qualities that have served him well in his acting career.
Bill Clinton
Before he became the 42nd President of the United States, Clinton played rugby at Oxford University while studying as a Rhodes Scholar. His time on the field helped shape his physical endurance and ability to work within a team.
Prince William
The future King of England played rugby during his school years at Eton and is now a patron of the Welsh Rugby Union. His love for the sport continues to be evident in his support for rugby initiatives in the UK.
André the Giant
Famous for his towering presence in professional wrestling, André also played rugby in his youth in France. Standing at 7 feet 4 inches, his sheer size and strength made him an imposing figure even on the rugby field.
Robert Patrick
The Terminator 2 star grew up playing rugby in Ohio, which helped him maintain a high level of fitness throughout his acting career. The ruggedness of rugby matches has undoubtedly contributed to his ability to play tough roles on-screen.
Daniel Craig
The actor famous for playing James Bond honed some of his toughness during his rugby days at Hoylake Rugby Club in England. Craig has often credited rugby for helping him develop the physicality needed for his intense film roles.
Notable mentions: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Chris Farley, Mark Cuban, Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka cricket star), George W Bush, JRR Tolkien, Kris Kristofferson.
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