New Zealand rugby is mourning the loss of one of its quiet legends. Bill McCaw, who held the distinction of being the oldest living All Black, has passed away at the age of 97. It’s understood the former flanker died in hospital in Christchurch on Tuesday.
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A proud All Black who left his mark
McCaw may not have the household name of his distant relative Richie, but between 1951 and 1954, he wore the famous black jersey in five tests and 27 matches. His standout contribution came during the 1953–54 tour of the UK and France — a mammoth journey that also included fixtures in Canada and the United States.
On that tour, he featured in 22 matches, including the tests against Wales and France. Though the All Blacks lost both, they bounced back to defeat the Barbarians 19–5 in what rugby historian Lindsay Knight described as a "virtual test."
Fierce competition, ferocious talent
McCaw had to fight for every international appearance. As a No.8, he went head-to-head with then-captain Bob Stuart, while at flanker he was up against names like Bill Clark and Peter Jones. Despite this, he shone — and even captained the All Blacks in a midweek match against North of Scotland.
From Gore to greatness
Born in Gore and educated at St Kevin’s College, McCaw’s rugby journey took off when he made the Southland representative team in 1949. Just a year later, he helped Southland defeat the touring British Lions 11–0 — a win that helped earn him a national call-up.
In 1951, he was part of the All Blacks squad that toured Australia, playing in all three test wins. Unfortunately, injuries in 1952 meant he missed out on further caps that year.
A leader off the field, too
McCaw’s leadership extended beyond his playing days. He captained Southland and the South Island, and led the New Zealand XV against the Māori All Blacks in 1954. After hanging up his boots in 1955, he continued to serve the game as a coach and administrator for the Marist club and on Southland’s union management committee.
A touching family connection
Though from different eras, Bill and Richie McCaw shared more than a name. For Bill’s 90th birthday in 2017, Richie — the two distantly related — took him and his family on a helicopter ride and picnic in the mountains, a fitting tribute from one All Black to another.
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Dan Carter and Richie McCaw Were in Agreement About ‘the Best Number 10’ in Rugby History
Now both retired, the legendary fly-half and iconic skipper linked up for the first of a two-part interview that dives into everything from McCaw’s pre-match rituals to Carter’s early bruisings at the hands of the best.
Let’s get stuck into their top five toughest opponents…
? #5. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
Position: Winger
Height: 6 ft 5 in
Weight: 262 lb
Caps: 63
Years Active: 1994–2002
Height: 6 ft 5 in
Weight: 262 lb
Caps: 63
Years Active: 1994–2002
? The Human Bulldozer
"He bowled me over about 5m when I tried to tackle him in one of my first games. A superstar. Gutted I never played with him."
Richie McCaw said:
"When I first became an All Black he was in the team. To play alongside a guy you have watched as a young fella was pretty amazing. He made me look silly in training more than once."
"When I first became an All Black he was in the team. To play alongside a guy you have watched as a young fella was pretty amazing. He made me look silly in training more than once."
DID YOU KNOW?
New Zealand sevens star Eric Rush once played a game of touch with a 14-year-old Lomu — and invited him to a sevens tournament in Singapore the next day.
New Zealand sevens star Eric Rush once played a game of touch with a 14-year-old Lomu — and invited him to a sevens tournament in Singapore the next day.
BIO:
Jonah Lomu changed rugby forever. Bursting onto the scene at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, he was a one-man wrecking ball, blending terrifying pace with raw power. At just 20, he was already an international superstar. Off the field, he remained humble, admired for his grace and courage battling a rare kidney disease. Lomu’s influence transcended sport — he became the game’s first global icon and remains rugby’s most enduring legend.
Jonah Lomu changed rugby forever. Bursting onto the scene at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, he was a one-man wrecking ball, blending terrifying pace with raw power. At just 20, he was already an international superstar. Off the field, he remained humble, admired for his grace and courage battling a rare kidney disease. Lomu’s influence transcended sport — he became the game’s first global icon and remains rugby’s most enduring legend.
? #4. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
Position: Flanker
Height: 6 ft 2 in
Weight: 218 lb
Caps: 80
Years Active: 2006–2015
Height: 6 ft 2 in
Weight: 218 lb
Caps: 80
Years Active: 2006–2015
?️ The French Tackling Machine
Richie McCaw said:
"Over the years I've played him a few times and you always know he's there. He was always pretty big defensively and in the breakdown area. A menace."
"Over the years I've played him a few times and you always know he's there. He was always pretty big defensively and in the breakdown area. A menace."
Dan Carter said:
"He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks."
"He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks."
DID YOU KNOW?
Dusautoir made a record 38 tackles in a single match — against New Zealand in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Dusautoir made a record 38 tackles in a single match — against New Zealand in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
BIO:
Nicknamed "The Dark Destroyer," Thierry Dusautoir was the heartbeat of France’s forward pack throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s. Best known for his World Cup heroics, including a record-breaking 38 tackles against the All Blacks in 2007, he captained Les Bleus to the 2011 final. Revered for his discipline, leadership, and tackle technique, Dusautoir’s consistency and quiet aggression made him one of the most respected flankers in modern rugby history.
Nicknamed "The Dark Destroyer," Thierry Dusautoir was the heartbeat of France’s forward pack throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s. Best known for his World Cup heroics, including a record-breaking 38 tackles against the All Blacks in 2007, he captained Les Bleus to the 2011 final. Revered for his discipline, leadership, and tackle technique, Dusautoir’s consistency and quiet aggression made him one of the most respected flankers in modern rugby history.
? #3. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
Position: Fly-half
Height: 6 ft
Weight: 200 lb
Caps: 97
Years Active: 1998–2011
Height: 6 ft
Weight: 200 lb
Caps: 97
Years Active: 1998–2011
⚖️ The Perfectionist
Dan Carter said:
"You might have heard of him? Former England captain and Toulon player Jonny is probably the closest thing I've seen to the perfect rugby player."
"You might have heard of him? Former England captain and Toulon player Jonny is probably the closest thing I've seen to the perfect rugby player."
Richie McCaw said:
"He'll go down as one of the greats of world rugby.”
"He'll go down as one of the greats of world rugby.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Jonny’s brother, Mark Wilkinson, also played for Newcastle Falcons, making 16 Premiership appearances between 2002 and 2005.
Jonny’s brother, Mark Wilkinson, also played for Newcastle Falcons, making 16 Premiership appearances between 2002 and 2005.
BIO:
Jonny Wilkinson was England’s golden boy — the drop-goal hero of the 2003 Rugby World Cup final and a relentless perfectionist. Known for his intense training routines, pinpoint kicking and defensive steel, Wilkinson was equally admired for his humility. Injuries plagued his career, but he bounced back to shine at Toulon, winning two Heineken Cups. A tactical maestro and clutch performer, Jonny remains one of the most technically gifted fly-halves ever.
Jonny Wilkinson was England’s golden boy — the drop-goal hero of the 2003 Rugby World Cup final and a relentless perfectionist. Known for his intense training routines, pinpoint kicking and defensive steel, Wilkinson was equally admired for his humility. Injuries plagued his career, but he bounced back to shine at Toulon, winning two Heineken Cups. A tactical maestro and clutch performer, Jonny remains one of the most technically gifted fly-halves ever.
? #2. Schalk Burger (South Africa)
Position: Flanker
Height: 6 ft 4 in
Weight: 242 lb
Caps: 86
Years Active: 2003–2015
Height: 6 ft 4 in
Weight: 242 lb
Caps: 86
Years Active: 2003–2015
? A Wild Warrior with Engine for Days
Richie McCaw said:
"You can come up against another tough team but never feel like you have had a tough match against your opposite. But with Burger you knew where they are going to be and how hard they play near the ball."
"You can come up against another tough team but never feel like you have had a tough match against your opposite. But with Burger you knew where they are going to be and how hard they play near the ball."
Dan Carter said:
"I kept looking at my All Black jersey wondering if I had a target like in the middle of the jersey or something because he kept coming for me. He was having a huge battle with our big forward pack. He just kept going. He didn’t stop. He was physical and just his leg drive was incredible. A real competitor and absolute top bloke off the field as well."
"I kept looking at my All Black jersey wondering if I had a target like in the middle of the jersey or something because he kept coming for me. He was having a huge battle with our big forward pack. He just kept going. He didn’t stop. He was physical and just his leg drive was incredible. A real competitor and absolute top bloke off the field as well."
DID YOU KNOW?
Burger was awarded the IRB Player of the Year in 2004, aged just 21.
Burger was awarded the IRB Player of the Year in 2004, aged just 21.
BIO:
Schalk Burger was a fearless enforcer and fan favourite in the Springboks jersey. With his wild blond hair and bruising tackles, he embodied raw physicality and relentless effort. A 2007 World Cup winner, Burger was known for his tireless work at the breakdown and thunderous ball-carrying. Off the field, he survived a life-threatening illness and returned to elite rugby, cementing his place as one of South Africa’s most courageous and committed players.
Schalk Burger was a fearless enforcer and fan favourite in the Springboks jersey. With his wild blond hair and bruising tackles, he embodied raw physicality and relentless effort. A 2007 World Cup winner, Burger was known for his tireless work at the breakdown and thunderous ball-carrying. Off the field, he survived a life-threatening illness and returned to elite rugby, cementing his place as one of South Africa’s most courageous and committed players.
? #1. George Smith (Australia)
Position: Flanker
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Weight: 233 lb
Caps: 111
Years Active: 2000–2013
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Weight: 233 lb
Caps: 111
Years Active: 2000–2013
? The Breakdown King
Richie McCaw said:
"Smith was always pretty tough. I remember playing him when I was in the under 19s against Australia and remember then thinking just what a good player he is. I've never seen a guy as gifted in all facets of the game.”
"Smith was always pretty tough. I remember playing him when I was in the under 19s against Australia and remember then thinking just what a good player he is. I've never seen a guy as gifted in all facets of the game.”
Dan Carter said:
"I used to hate playing this guy because he was so bloody good. A true legend of the game."
"I used to hate playing this guy because he was so bloody good. A true legend of the game."
DID YOU KNOW?
Smith won the John Eales Medal twice — Australia’s highest rugby honour — in 2002 and 2008.
Smith won the John Eales Medal twice — Australia’s highest rugby honour — in 2002 and 2008.
BIO:
George Smith was a generational talent — a master at the breakdown with unmatched anticipation and skill. Debuting at just 20, he went on to earn over 100 caps for the Wallabies, becoming a mainstay in the back-row for over a decade. Renowned for his offloading, jackaling, and vision, Smith redefined what it meant to be a modern openside. He also starred in Europe and Japan, proving his class on every stage he graced.
George Smith was a generational talent — a master at the breakdown with unmatched anticipation and skill. Debuting at just 20, he went on to earn over 100 caps for the Wallabies, becoming a mainstay in the back-row for over a decade. Renowned for his offloading, jackaling, and vision, Smith redefined what it meant to be a modern openside. He also starred in Europe and Japan, proving his class on every stage he graced.
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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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