"Martin Johnson’s presence" - Richie McCaw ranks the three best captains he faced - Page 3 of 3 - Ruck

“Martin Johnson’s presence” – Richie McCaw ranks the three best captains he faced

#1. Martin Johnson (England)

  • Position Second-row
  • Height 6 ft 7 in
  • Weight 119kg
  • Caps 92

Captained the Lions on two tours, including the triumphant 1997 trip to South Africa, while he will always be remembered as the man presented with the 2003 World Cup, which England won in Sydney.

As well as being an inspirational leader, the Leicester lock was also a formidable player in his own right. A rock like presence in the tight, whose rugby motto was if in doubt, go forward.

Richie McCaw said: “Martin Johnson’s presence, it was just his body language, and I always wondered what has he done to do that?” 

“Just the way he carried himself and the way he spoke to his players, it had a big influence on players around him.

“I always thought if you could go someway to having that sort of influence, that’s what leadership is about.”

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