Richie McCaw went head-to-head with some of the greatest players in rugby history during his legendary career with the All Blacks.
The former New Zealand captain faced world-class flankers across the globe, but a select few stood out above the rest.
McCaw previously ranked the five best flankers he played against, picking out the rivals who gave him the toughest battles at the breakdown and beyond.
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#5. Lewis Moody (England)
Position: Back-row
Height: 6 ft 3 in
Weight: 225 lb
Caps: 71
Nicknamed “Mad Dog”, Lewis Moody was renowned for his relentless energy and fearless style of play. Whether chasing down opponents or contesting possession at restarts, Moody brought intensity to every moment on the field.
McCaw admired his unique approach:
“I had a lot of respect for the way he played — he threw himself into everything. Moody was a little bit different to most flankers; he was also a strong ball carrier and could really pressure backlines.”