#1. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
He captained the national team, the All Blacks, in 110 out of his 148 test matches, and won two Rugby World Cups. He has won the World Rugby player of the year award a joint record three times and was the most capped test rugby player of all time from August 2015 to October 2020.
Owens said: “If anybody had to pick the greatest player in history, it would surely be a difficult choice between him and Gareth Edwards.
“How McCaw managed to put his body on the line and sometimes the wrong side at rucks for so many years at flanker is incredible. A terrific leader.”
DID YOU KNOW? McCaw was the first All Black to reach 100 caps, and the first rugby union player to win 100 tests