The powerful prop has been hailed as “one of the most mind blowing athletes in the universe”
Bordeaux and Tonga prop Ben Tameifuna has left rugby fans stunned yet again with his latest act of superhuman strength.
The 34-year-old tighthead is the heaviest professional player in world rugby, tipping the scales at a whopping 150kg (23st 9lbs). Unsurprisingly known as ‘Big Ben’, he can reportedly bench press around 190kg (420lbs) in the gym, while he is renowned for his destructive scrummaging and ability to steamroll opponents with powerful carries and hard-hitting tackles out on the rugby pitch.
Clips of him tearing up the Top 14 with Bordeaux have previously gone viral and Tameifuna caught the eye again over the weekend as he helped his side to victory in a 64-14 mauling of Leicester Tigers in the Champions Cup on Sunday.
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The French side ran in nine tries on the way to a resounding win, with the Tongan international getting on the scoreboard just over six minutes into the second half, as he utilised his wrecking ball physique to devastating effect.
Picking up the ball inside the Leicester half, Tameifuna was able to beat one defender before offloading to teammate Matis Perchaud as he was hauled to the ground.
However, he was able to get back to his feet and raced upfield to catch up with the action, hitting the perfect line as he thundered into the Leicester defence at speed.
His sheer power saw him knock Tigers flanker Joaquin Moro to the ground in the tackle, before powering his way through the rest of the defence and bumping off England international Freddie Steward as he crashed over the line.
Tameifuna’s act of super strength brought the crowd to its feet at the Stade Chaban Delmas and fans watching at home were similarly impressed as they took to social media to praise what they had just seen.
“150kg MONSTER,” wrote one, while another added: “He’s a serious unit. When he gets a head of steam up, someone is going to feel pain.”
“Every season I always think he looks too heavy to play elite rugby,” said a third. “Every season I’m wrong.”
Another wrote: “Big Ben Tameifuna is one of the most mind blowing athletes in the universe.
“His fitness levels and work rate are higher than blokes half his weight. Incredible ball skills to boot, simply phenomenal player.”
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