Ioan Gruffudd lost the plot after the final whistle was blown. Photo: Instagram / Ioan Gruffudd
Ioan Gruffudd lost the plot after the final whistle was blown. Photo: Instagram / Ioan Gruffudd
The Rugby World Cup is fast gathering some worldwide celebrity fans with Hollywood leading the way.
American actors Samuel L Jackson and David Hasselhoff have emerged as closet oval ball fans since the tournament began a fortnight again and were at it over the weekend when England faced Wales in their Pool of Death clash.
Hasselhoff, known worldwide as 'The Hoff" following his celebrated stint as a lifeguard on the long-running Bay Watch series, was at Twickenham for the match with girlfriend Hayley Roberts. Just a week earlier, Hasselhoff had tweeted Dan Carter wishing him and the All Blacks luck in the tournament.
The 'Hoff' appeared to be enjoying the atmosphere at the packed stadium - as well as the attentions of Roberts - ahead of the match between British rivals.
But he wasn't the only star to take an interest. During the match, Samuel L Jackson of Pulp Fiction fame tweeted how much he was enjoying the clash and offering Wales tactical advice.
Then there was the Fantastic Four star Ioan Gruffudd who enjoyed the Wales rugby triumph over England so much he forgot to put any clothes on.
Aging crooner Tom Jones was also no doubt thrilled with the Welsh win. Jones, whose famous hit Delilah has become a Welsh anthem at games, was at Twickenham taking in the atmosphere.
Also there was also Prince Harry who wore an England shirt while his brother William sported Welsh colours as they sat together in the stands - with the younger Prince giving his sibling a comical sideways glance while singing the national anthem.
Among other celebrities who have taken an interest in the World Cup are Arsenal manager Arsene Wegner who says he loves rugby and always wanted to play it. "I would've been a fly half," Wegner said.
Introducing rugby's top celebrity fans:
1. The Princes of Buckingham Palace
Prince Harry and Prince William attending the England v Wales match. Photo / Getty Images
They support rival teams but Wills and Harry just love the oval ball game.
Harry was the star of the World Cup opening ceremony which included a cameo from the prince as a peasant gardener. But he had to cop it on the chin when his older brother, the Duke of Cambridge, naturally supported the Welshmen at Twickenham over the weekend. No sign yet of what Betty, aka the Queen, thinks. She's yet to show at the tournament.
2. The Hoff
David Hasselhoff hugs girlfriend Hayley Roberts during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium. Photo / Getty Images
Nobody quite knows what sparked David Hasselhoff's interest in rugby but he's become quite the fan.
Whether it's tweeting All Blacks like Dan Carter or prancing around Twickenham with his leggy girlfriend at Twickenham, the Hoff is into it and is one of the few Hollywood stars to know what a ruck is compared to a ruckus. He even has an All Blacks replica jersey he souvenired from John Kirwan several years ago.
3. Tom Jones
David Hasselhoff and Sir Tom Jones in discussion prior to the match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium. Photo / Getty Images
No real surprise that the crooner from the Welsh valleys loves his rugby. He's the first in a long list of Welsh, English and Irish singers and actors to have held a life-long attraction to the game. Others included the late Richard Burton and Richard Harris.
4. Samuel L Jackson
Samuel L Jackson in Pulp Fiction. Photo / Supplied
The Pulp Fiction star is English-based now and seems to have just discovered rugby. Judging by his tweets, the game has captivated him.
The tough-talking veteran actor tweeted several times about the England-Wales match, even handing out some tactical advice! Just imagine big Sam delivering the pre-match address a'la his infamous character Jules when he delivers his sermon-like eulogy to the young drug dealers in Quentin Tarantino's classic movie.
Hollywood star Samuel L Jackson had some words of comfort for England captain Chris Robshaw:
Tough but epic game @ChrisRobshaw . Still all to play for against Oz. Hope Wales can get backline together for Fiji! #ENGvWAL@One4theBoys
The Welsh actor is seen leaping around his home in delight, wearing just a pair of boxer shorts, after the 28-25 victory at Twickenham after his wife posted a video to Instagram.
"My husband loses his mind in his underwear. Must watch," she wrote.
6. Matt Damon
Matt Damon in Invictus.
He played Francois Piennar in the Hollywood movie Invictus based on South Africa's 1995 World Cup win (Morgan Freeman played Nelson Mandela but we reckon Samuel L Jackson might have been too!).
Damon, who is considerably smaller than Pienaar in real life, said he found the rugby training "gruelling" but said he developed a love of the game while filming the 2009 movie which was directed by Clint Eastwood (whom we suspect may have made quite a tough forward in his day!).
7. George W Bush
George W Bush turned out at fullback for Yale University. Photo / Yale University
Yes, we kid you not. The former Leader of the Free World is an old-time rugby player. He turned out at fullback for Yale University. And yes, that is him in the photograph attempting to make up for blowing a tackle by punching his opponent in the face.
8. Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig playing James Bond. Photo / Sony Pictures
Hoylake RFC's most famous Old Boy. Those rugged good looks and that famous six-pack that led to him playing James Bond were shaped by his teenage years playing the oval ball game. No sign of 007 at the tournament so far though!
Famed for his performance as a psychopathic hit man in No Country for Old Men, Bardem would be an intimidating presence on the rugby field. He was a good enough player to represent Spain at national under 21 level as a flanker and prop.
He once said in an interview that "playing rugby in Spain is like being a bullfighter in Japan" which suggests he suffered one concussion too many.
10. Shane Warne
Shane Warne. Photo / Getty Images
We can't work out if the serial Aussie philanderer is a rugby fan or not. But he didn't miss the chance to rub English noses in it after the loss to Wales.
Here's Warne twisting the knife ahead of England's crucial clash with the Wallabies this week.
Congrats Wales, even sweeter when Australia Smash England next week & knock them out of the tournament hahah.... Dry your eyes England !!
In her final concert in Auckland in 2012, she appeared in poufy, sparkly gown with an All Blacks jersey over it. Photo / Getty Images
T-Swizzle, an All Black fan? In her final concert in Auckland in 2012, she appeared in poufy, sparkly gown with an All Blacks jersey over it.
The team was chuffed, issuing her a thank you from their Facebook page: "Hey Taylor Swift, we would just like to thank you for your beautiful gesture in appearing in the jersey of the World Champion All Blacks your final concert in Auckland!"
