Two-time World Cup-winning All Blacks captain — widely considered the greatest flanker in rugby history.
Richard Hugh McCaw was born in Oamaru, New Zealand in 1980 and studied agricultural science at the University of Canterbury before devoting himself fully to professional rugby. He made his All Blacks debut in November 2001 and went on to play 148 Test matches — a New Zealand record at the time of his retirement in 2015. He captained the All Blacks in 110 Tests — winning 107 of them — and holds the world record for Test victories as captain. He led New Zealand to the Rugby World Cup in 2011 on home soil and again in 2015 in England — the only captain to win the tournament twice. He was named World Rugby Player of the Year three times (2006, 2009, 2010) — a record he shares with no one at the time. His openside flanker play — winning turnovers at the breakdown, slowing opposition possession, organising defensive structures — was combined with consistent effectiveness as a ball-carrier and leader. He suffered a significant foot stress fracture before the 2011 World Cup and played through it. He received the Order of New Zealand in 2015. He qualified as a commercial helicopter pilot after retirement. He is universally regarded as the greatest openside flanker in the history of the sport.
World Cup 2011 2015
He won the World Player of the Year award three times — more than any other player.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- World Cup 2011 2015
- World Player of Year 3x