"Martin Johnson’s presence" - Richie McCaw ranks the three best captains he faced
Rugby NewsFriday, 28 May 2021 at 13:49
All Blacks legend Richie McCaw, renowned as the greatest leader of the professional era, revealed his top three captains from his playing days.
#3. Sam Warburton
- Position Back-row
- Height 6 ft 2 in
- Weight 99kg
- Caps 79
Hung up his boots after his battered body could take no more following 74 Tests for Wales and five for the Lions.
Richie McCaw said: "A great player. Proper hard competitor. Packed a lot in for retiring at just 29."
#2. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
- Position Back-row
- Height 6 ft 2 in
- Weight 218 lb
- Caps 80
Dusautoir made his international debut against Romania in 2006 before making a name for himself the following year when France stunned New Zealand 20-18 in the World Cup quarter-finals.
The former France skipper also scored a try and was named man of the match in the 2011 World Cup final when New Zealand avenged their defeat of four years earlier with an 8-7 win in the final.
Richie McCaw said: "Over the years I've played him a few times and you always know he's there," said McCaw of Dusautoir. "He was always pretty big defensively and in the breakdown area. A menace"
#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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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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