Opposition were never able to work out a weakness when it came to the legendary All Black captain Richie McCaw on the pitch.
However, the two-time Rugby World Cup winner has revealed his one weakness off the pitch
Richie McCaw couldn't go without it before any of his 148 All Blacks test. Now Dan Carter has spilt the beans. https://t.co/nynPr7voCm
— nzherald (@nzherald) May 4, 2020
McCaw had a 30-minute chat with good friend and former team mate Dan Carter as part of Carter’s “Lockdown Series” and it didn’t take long for his sweet tooth vulnerability to be exposed.
He revealed that ice-cream is his “first love” and it needed to be on his menu the night before a game.
“I always found by Friday night, you’d earnt it for the week and away you go,” McCaw smiled as he revealed his favourite flavours.
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“I’m pretty open to anything but I quite enjoy mint chocolate chip. But with an apple crumble the night before a game, vanilla ice cream was pretty perfect.”
Even when discussing fitness and food with the All Blacks dietician, McCaw insisted there was one item that was sacred.
“I said the last thing I’m giving up is ice cream.”
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World’s greatest ever XV:
15. Serge Blanco (France)
The French icon’s international career with France saw the flamboyant fullback perform various outlandish levels of skill while winning Five Nation Grand Slams in 1981 and 1987 as well as four further titles.
Blanco was a threat from everywhere on the field and often took risks that we very rarely see nowadays. In total, he won 93 caps for France during his 11-year international career between 1980 and 1991, which was a record when he retired.
He also scored an imposing 233 points and is a true legend of the sport.
Did you know: Images of Blanco’s on-field heroics can always be viewed ironically alongside images of him strutting along the touchline nursing a cigarette.
Honourable mentions: JPR Williams (Wales), Jason Robinson (England), Percy Montgomery (South Africa)
14. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
The New Zealander remains the joint all-time top try scorer at the Rugby World Cup along with Bryan Habana, crossing the whitewash on 15 different occasions across the 1995 and 1999 tournaments.
Originally of Tongan descent, it was Lomu who made it glamorous to be a big, bruising winger, even though his stature could have easily seen him fill in at centre or somewhere in the pack.
Much like the Juggernaut of the Marvel Universe, there wasn’t much that could stop Lomu once he’d gotten into a stride.
Did you know: In September 2009, Lomu took part in an amateur bodybuilding contest, finishing second in two categories
Honourable mentions: Bryan Habana (South Africa), Doug Howlett (New Zealand), Shane Williams (Wales)
13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
The former Ireland and British and Irish Lions Skipper Brian O’Driscoll was one of the most consistent performers in the world for over a decade.
He hung up his boots in 2014 after accumulating 133 caps for Ireland with a fantastic return of 245 points. In the emerald green, he triumphed in the Six Nations in 2009 (Grand Slam) and 2014 as well as being chosen as Player of the Tournament in 2006, 2007 and 2009.
The Dublin-born is also the highest all-time Irish record try scorer with an incredible 46 scores, and also led his country more times than any other player.