World of Boxing and Rugby Union
7. Open-side Flanker
Richie McCaw
Quite simply there is no doubt in my mind that Richie McCaw is the best openside flanker who has ever lived.
Comparing players from different eras, particularly with the game now professional, is extremely difficult and it seems pointless to proclaim any one player as the ultimate All Black. Even cold statistics do not give an accurate assessment of the respective abilities of different players because the number of tests matches now played, compared to even 20 years ago, have made that irrelevant.
But the case for Richie McCaw being ranked at the front of all-time All Blacks is indisputable. His record as a player and as a captain is without precedent. At the end of 2012, having become the first All Black to reach 100 tests in 2011, he had played a staggering 116 tests, of which he had been captain 79 times. The true magnitude of that can be gained by a comparison with another icon, universally regarded as one of the best, if not the best, of all All Black captains, Wilson Whineray. In what was seen at the time as a stellar career, between 1957 and 1965 played 32 tests, and was captain 30 times. An even more startling contrast can be made by comparing McCaw with his 1920s equivalent, Maurice Brownlie, who between 1922 and 1928 played for the All Blacks 61 times, but in only eight official tests, none of which were in New Zealand.
As well as playing numbers, which once would have been inconceivable, McCaw has had a record of momentous feats and honours. He has participated in many All Blacks triumphs, culminating in
leading the side to World Cup victory in 2011. He has also been a player, or captain, in several Crusaders sides which have won the Super 12 in 2002 and 2005 and the Super 14 in 2006 and 2008. And though his international commitments have limited him to just 34 provincial games for Canterbury his appearances at that level have seen him share in national championship titles and in Ranfurly Shield wins. McCaw, too, has won several national and international individual awards.
At the age of twenty he went on the All Blacks' tour of Ireland, Scotland and Argentina. He played all three internationals and his speed, anticipation and athleticism marked him even at that tender age as a world class player. McCaw has been an automatic All Blacks selection ever since ; McCaw has remained the position's benchmark. In many respects he has been too accomplished for his own good. Few other players have been subjected to so much unwarranted criticism, even allegations of cheating, and few to so many illegal 'cheap shots' from opposition players, one or two of which have not been punished as severely as they might have been. McCaw's natural dignity, which marked him out as a born leader, has always remained intact.
Despite the triumphs and acclaim that has come his way, McCaw's rugby journey has not been without his setbacks. His uncompromising style of play, his willingness to put his body into intense physical contact, and the wear and tear inevitable over such a long career, have brought him many injuries. And even though, with him both as a player and a captain, the All Blacks as well as the Crusaders, have been remarkably successful, there have been any number of high profile setbacks. He was in the 2003 World Cup side, which lost in the semi-finals, and was severely criticised over the 2007 World Cup failure. That he has overcome all of this to eventually lead the All Blacks to the 2011 victory, playing for much of the tournament through the pain of a broken bone in the foot, is ample testament to his character and commitment to New Zealand rugby. Truly, he ranks high as one of New Zealand rugby's immortals.
A player who would have walked into any test side in history as a number one choice without hesitation.