Ben Tameifuna once weighed in at over 26 stone, and was forced to cut a huge amount of weight.
16:39, 27 Aug 2025Updated 16:45, 27 Aug 2025
The Tongan enforcer carries some serious weight. (Image: RugbyPass. )
Tonga skipper Ben Tameifuna is the heaviest top level rugby player on the planet, and he’s just wowed one million people in less than 24 hours. The big prop is currently leading his side in the Pacific Nations Cup, and footage of him moving around the park is spreading fast online.
There is a plethora of colossal specimens in Test rugby, such as Eben Etzebeth or RG Snyman, and these guys come in at over 19 stone. However, there are certain players who sit in their own category – like Uini Atonio and Posolo Tuilagi – who are pushing 23 stone. But Tameifuna takes the title for the heaviest of the lot.
Weighing in at almost 24 stone, the Tongan front row star does incredibly well to get himself around the field at such a jaw-dropping weight.
Footage of him playing against Samoa last weekend, a game they won 30-16, has been viewed by over one million in the rugby community online.
Tameifuna, who previously trained with the All Blacks, could be seen bulldozing opponents before picking his teammate up and literally carrying him over the line with remarkable strength to score a try.
You can watch the video below.
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There are over 900,000 views on Instagram, with another 150,000 on TikTok.
Tameifuna lasted 52 minutes before being taken off, an impressive feat considering his size.
Also playing for Tonga last weekend was ex-Bristol Bears and All Blacks full-back Charles Piutau.
Born in Auckland in New Zealand, Tameifuna previously played for Hawke’s Bay and Chiefs before being called up to train with the All Blacks in summer 2012, but never took to the field.
The prop left New Zealand to pursue a career in Europe a decade ago.
He then signed for Racing 92 in the Top 14, ruling himself out of contention for selection with New Zealand.
Ben Tameifuna of Tonga(Image: World Rugby)
He has spent the last 10 years in France, and left Racing 92 to join Bordeaux-Begles in 2020, where he plays now. Tameifuna changed his international allegiance to Tonga in 2017.
During his time with Racing, he was forced to lose weight after reaching a jaw-dropping weight of over 25 stone (160KG).
Midi Olympique reported that Racing told him to lose weight in 2019, explaining that he would not be considered for selection until he shedded some of his bulk.
That wasn’t the first time either, with Tameifuna returning to training in 2018 at over 26 stone (166KG).
Tuilagi, Skelton and Emmanuel Meafou are the closest to Tameifuna in terms of weight, but the Tongan captain takes the crown for the heaviest Test player.