Richie McCaw

Lore & Background

McCaw was the first All Black to reach 100 caps, and the first rugby union player to win 100 tests. He was the most-capped player in rugby union history with 148 caps, having overtaken Brian O'Driscoll's record in 2015 and losing the record to Alun Wyn Jones in 2020. McCaw has also equaled the record for most appearances at the Rugby World Cup, with Jason Leonard. McCaw predominantly played in the openside flanker position for the New Zealand, Crusaders and Canterbury teams, but also played as a blindside flanker and no. 8. During McCaw's career, Canterbury won the NPC (later Mitre10 Cup) five times, and the Crusaders won four Super Rugby titles. In addition to winning two world cups, the All Blacks won seven Tri-Nations titles, completed three successful Grand Slam tours and won the Bledisloe Cup eight times.

Reader's Guide

McCaw made his debut in 2001 for the Crusaders, and was selected for the All Blacks' 2001 end-of-year tour, despite having played only eight minutes of Super 12 rugby. His debut for New Zealand was against Ireland, where he was awarded man-of-the-match. McCaw became a regular selection for New Zealand, only missing a few games due to recurring concussions. In 2004 he was appointed captain of the All Blacks, whom he led at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

After their elimination in the quarter-finals, his captaincy came under criticism, but he was retained and eventually led the team to consecutive Rugby World Cup titles in 2011 and 2015, becoming one of only 43 players who have won the Rugby World Cup on multiple occasions. McCaw is however one of the two only captains to have won two Rugby World Cups, the other one being Siya Kolisi. McCaw holds the international record for most game wins as a player at 131. He also holds the international record for most games as a captain at 110.

Captaincy and World Cup Triumphs

Richard Hugh McCaw was appointed captain of the All Blacks in 2004. After leading the team to a quarter-final exit at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, his leadership came under fire, but he was retained. He went on to lead New Zealand to consecutive World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015, becoming one of only two captains ever to win two World Cups, the other being Siya Kolisi. Out of his 148 test matches, he captained the side in 110, setting an international record for most games as a captain. During this era, the All Blacks secured seven Tri-Nations titles, eight Bledisloe Cup wins, and three successful Grand Slam tours. He is also one of only 43 players to win the Rugby World Cup multiple times.

Record-Breaking Longevity and Accolades

McCaw was the first All Black to reach 100 caps and the first rugby union player to win 100 tests. With 148 caps, he held the record as the most-capped test rugby player of all time from August 2015 until October 2020, when Alun Wyn Jones surpassed him. He holds the international record for most game wins (131). His individual excellence was recognized with three World Rugby Player of the Year awards, a joint record at the time. In 2021, he was awarded World Rugby Player of the Decade (2011–2020) and also won the New Zealand Sportsman of the Decade award. Additionally, he equaled Jason Leonard's record for most appearances at the Rugby World Cup.

Domestic Dominance and Positional Versatility

McCaw played primarily as an openside flanker but was versatile enough to play blindside flanker or number eight. He made his Super Rugby debut in 2001 with the Crusaders after playing only eight minutes of Super 12 rugby that season. Despite this limited experience, he was selected for the All Blacks' end-of-year tour. With the Crusaders, he won four Super Rugby titles, including a final victory over the Brumbies in 2002. At the provincial level with Canterbury, he contributed to five NPC (later Mitre10 Cup) victories. His rapid rise from a local club player in Kurow to a national star was highlighted by his man-of-the-match performance on debut against Ireland.

Early Life and Educational Background

Born on New Year's Eve 1980 in Oamaru, McCaw grew up on a farm with his sister Joanna. His great-great-grandfather immigrated from the Scottish Borders in 1893, settling in the Hakataramea Valley. He started flying gliders at age nine with his grandfather, Jim McCaw, a WWII pilot who shot down 20 V1 missiles. Attending Otago Boys' High School from 1994, he became head boy and played in the 1st XV. In 1998, he featured in the national secondary schools final but missed selection for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Team. He left university after completing all but two papers of his degree to pursue rugby full-time, later receiving an honorary doctorate in April 2012.