Rugby sevens is the fastest version of rugby, played with seven players per side on a full-sized pitch. This creates enormous amounts of space and rewards athletes who combine height with speed, agility, and endurance. Taller sevens players are invaluable at lineout time, in kickoff contests, and when using their reach to offload in tackles. The sport became an Olympic event in 2016 and has attracted some remarkable tall athletes.
⚡ Quick Facts:
- The tallest rugby sevens player ever is Collins Injera at 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
- This list covers the top 10 tallest rugby sevens players of all time
- Heights are shown in both feet/inches and centimetres
Complete List: Top 10 Tallest Rugby sevens Players
| Rank | Player | Height | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Collins Injera | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | Kenya |
| 2 | Carlin Isles | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) | United States |
| 3 | Perry Baker | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | United States |
| 4 | Fiji Napolioni Bolaca | 6 ft 3 in (190 cm) | Fiji |
| 5 | Semi Kunatani | 6 ft 3 in (190 cm) | Fiji |
| 6 | Kalione Nasoko | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | Fiji |
| 7 | Tim Mikkelson | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | New Zealand |
| 8 | Terry Kennedy | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | Ireland |
| 9 | Antoine Dupont | 5 ft 9 in (174 cm) | France |
| 10 | Joe Ravouvou | 6 ft 1 in (186 cm) | Fiji/New Zealand |
| 11 | Scott Curry | 6 ft 2 in (187 cm) | New Zealand |
1. Collins Injera — 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Country: Kenya
Collins Injera is the second-highest all-time try scorer in World Rugby Sevens Series history and helped put Kenyan rugby on the global map. The tall Kenyan winger used his height and explosive speed to score over 270 World Series tries. Injera was one of the most recognisable sevens players in the world during his career.
2. Carlin Isles — 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Country: United States
Carlin Isles is known as the fastest man in rugby and helped grow the sport’s profile in the United States. The former track sprinter used his lightning speed to become one of the most exciting players on the World Series circuit. Isles represented the USA at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics in rugby sevens.
3. Perry Baker — 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Country: United States
Perry Baker was named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year twice and was one of the most lethal finishers in the history of the game. The tall American winger combined pace with height to dominate on the World Series circuit. Baker represented the United States at the Olympic Games and was nearly unstoppable in one-on-one situations.
4. Fiji Napolioni Bolaca — 6 ft 3 in (190 cm)
Country: Fiji
Note: Replacing with correct entry for Semi Kunatani.
5. Semi Kunatani — 6 ft 3 in (190 cm)
Country: Fiji
Semi Kunatani was one of the most physically imposing sevens players in history and won Olympic gold with Fiji at the 2016 Rio Games. The tall Fijian forward was named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year and was devastating in open play. Kunatani later moved to professional fifteens in France with Toulouse.
6. Kalione Nasoko — 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Country: Fiji
Kalione Nasoko is one of the tallest players in World Rugby Sevens Series history and was a key member of Fiji’s Olympic gold medal-winning squad. The tall Fijian forward provided invaluable lineout possession and used his height to offload in tackles. Nasoko was a consistent performer for one of the greatest sevens teams ever assembled.
7. Tim Mikkelson — 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Country: New Zealand
Tim Mikkelson captained New Zealand in rugby sevens and was one of the most experienced players in World Series history. The tall All Blacks Sevens captain played over 90 World Series tournaments during his career. Mikkelson used his height and leadership to guide New Zealand through multiple Olympic campaigns.
8. Terry Kennedy — 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Country: Ireland
Terry Kennedy was named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year and was the breakthrough star of the Ireland sevens programme. The tall winger and fullback combined pace with aerial ability to become one of the most dangerous players on the circuit. Kennedy helped establish Ireland as a competitive force in world sevens.
9. Antoine Dupont — 5 ft 9 in (174 cm)
Country: France
Antoine Dupont is widely considered the best fifteens player in the world and made a remarkable switch to sevens to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The French scrum-half led France to Olympic gold on home soil in one of the greatest stories in rugby history. While not tall, Dupont is included for his historic achievement in crossing between both codes.
10. Joe Ravouvou — 6 ft 1 in (186 cm)
Country: Fiji/New Zealand
Joe Ravouvou played sevens for both Fiji and New Zealand and was one of the fastest players in World Series history. The tall winger was known for his devastating acceleration and ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations. Ravouvou won medals at the Olympics and multiple World Series tournaments.
11. Scott Curry — 6 ft 2 in (187 cm)
Country: New Zealand
Scott Curry captained New Zealand in rugby sevens and was one of the tallest and most physical players on the World Series circuit. The New Zealand forward was known for his incredible work rate, tackling, and ability to win turnover ball. Curry led by example in every tournament and was a core player for the All Blacks Sevens.
📏 Want to see how you compare?
Use our free Height Converter to convert your height, or try the Height Comparison Tool to visually compare yourself with these rugby sevens giants. Browse our Celebrity Heights database or check out Average Height by Country for more data.
Final Thoughts
Rugby sevens is a sport where height combined with speed creates devastating athletes. The wide-open spaces on a full-sized pitch with only seven players mean that tall, fast players can exploit gaps and dominate aerial contests in ways that are not possible in fifteens. The tallest sevens players on this list combined their height with the elite fitness and skill levels required for the most demanding version of rugby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does height help in rugby sevens?
Height is very valuable in rugby sevens for lineout possession, kickoff contests, and using reach to offload in tackles. However, speed and agility are arguably more important than in fifteens due to the wide-open spaces on the full-sized pitch with only seven players.
What is the average height of a rugby sevens player?
Male World Series rugby sevens players average approximately 6 ft 0 in (183 cm). Forwards tend to be taller at 6 ft 2 in to 6 ft 4 in for lineout and restart work, while backs range from 5 ft 9 in to 6 ft 2 in.
Which country is the best at rugby sevens?
Fiji has been the most successful rugby sevens nation at the Olympics, winning gold in 2016 and 2020. New Zealand and South Africa have dominated the annual World Rugby Sevens Series. France won Olympic gold in 2024 on home soil.