2. Jonny Wilkinson – “A bit of a fanboy moment”
“Someone I really looked up to and I tried to have a similar work ethic. The 2005 Lions tour was a bit of a fanboy moment for me.”
Carter and Wilkinson are often mentioned in the same breath, but for the Kiwi great, the admiration was clear. Wilkinson’s relentless dedication, trademark drop goals, and 2003 World Cup-winning kick etched him into rugby folklore. The Englishman was more than just a boot—he was a generational talent.
Bio: Jonny Wilkinson (England) – 91 caps, 1,246 international points, World Cup winner (2003).
1. Richie McCaw – “A real leader”
“I learnt a lot from playing alongside my old mate. A real leader and took us to back-to-back World Cups. Thank God I was never on the opposite side!” said Dan Carter.
No list from Dan Carter would be complete without Richie McCaw. The two shared the pitch for the All Blacks during their most dominant era, including back-to-back World Cup wins in 2011 and 2015. Carter calls him a “real leader”—and few would argue. McCaw was the ultimate captain and competitor.
Bio: Richie McCaw (New Zealand) – 148 caps, 110 wins, two-time World Cup-winning captain (2011, 2015).
Can You Name These 10 Legendary British & Irish Lions?
Test your rugby knowledge and see how many of these iconic Lions players you can name! You’ve got 4 minutes on the clock—think fast!
Let’s see if you can nail this quiz and prove you’re a true rugby expert. Ready? Let’s go!
