Richie McCaw faced just about every great player of his generation during one of rugby’s most decorated careers.
The All Blacks legend won 148 caps for New Zealand, captaining his country 110 times and leading them through an incredible period of dominance.
His biggest achievements came at the Rugby World Cup. McCaw led New Zealand to glory on home soil in 2011 before doing it all over again four years later in England.
He retired after that 2015 triumph, becoming the first captain to lift the Webb Ellis Cup twice. The official All Blacks website has since looked back at his remarkable record across four World Cups.
McCaw remains one of the biggest names in the sport. He recently opened up on why he turned down a knighthood, while former All Blacks boss Sir Graham Henry also had his say on where McCaw sits among rugby’s greatest-ever players.
But which players actually gave him the toughest time?
Here are five opponents McCaw held in particularly high regard.
5. Lewis Moody – England
Position: Back-rowEngland caps: 71
Nicknamed ‘Mad Dog’, Lewis Moody built his reputation on throwing himself into almost everything.
The former Leicester Tigers and England star was relentless around the pitch, particularly when chasing kicks and putting opposition backlines under pressure.
McCaw had plenty of respect for the 2003 Rugby World Cup winner.
“I had a lot of respect for the way he played. He threw himself into everything, and he was a ball carrier who could also pressure backlines.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Moody was part of England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning squad and later captained his country.
The former flanker has remained one of English rugby's most recognisable figures since retirement. You can read our feature on 10 things you might not know about Lewis Moody.
4. Thierry Dusautoir – France
Position: Back-rowFrance caps: 80
Few players caused the All Blacks more World Cup pain than Thierry Dusautoir.
The France great was immense when Les Bleus stunned New Zealand in the 2007 quarter-final in Cardiff.
Four years later, Dusautoir scored France’s only try and was named Player of the Match as the All Blacks squeezed home 8-7 in the World Cup final.
McCaw knew exactly what to expect whenever they met.
“Over the years, I've played him a few times, and you always knew he was there. He was a menace, especially defensively and at the breakdown.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Dusautoir was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2011, despite France losing that year's World Cup final.
3. David Pocock – Australia
Position: FlankerAustralia caps: 78
David Pocock versus Richie McCaw was about as good as it got for breakdown fans.
Born in Zimbabwe, Pocock made his Wallabies debut in 2008 and quickly developed into one of the world's leading opensides.
His strength over the ball made him a nightmare to shift and produced some memorable battles with McCaw.
“I always looked forward to games against top No.7s, and Pocock was one of the best.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Pocock's story since retirement is almost as interesting as his rugby career.
After leaving professional rugby, he entered politics and was elected as an independent senator for the Australian Capital Territory in 2022. His official Australian Parliament profile confirms he was re-elected in 2025.
2. Schalk Burger – South Africa
Position: Back-rowSouth Africa caps: 86
This was never going to be a gentle afternoon.
Schalk Burger was one of the most physical back-rowers of his era and a huge part of a Springboks side that regularly went toe-to-toe with McCaw's All Blacks.
The 2004 World Rugby Player of the Year combined aggression with serious skill and athleticism.
McCaw knew exactly how difficult Burger could be when he was at his best.
“With Burger, you always knew what to expect. He was always in your face, and when he was on form, he was scary good.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Burger survived a life-threatening battle with bacterial meningitis in 2012 before remarkably returning to international rugby.
He went on to represent the Springboks at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, where South Africa were eventually beaten by McCaw's New Zealand in the semi-final.
1. George Smith – Australia
Position: Back-rowAustralia caps: 111
George Smith gets the top spot.
The Wallabies legend was already on McCaw's radar before either man had established himself at Test level.
Smith went on to win 111 caps for Australia and became one of the finest breakdown specialists rugby has seen.
His clashes with McCaw became a feature of the Bledisloe Cup, with two of the best opensides of their generation constantly fighting for possession.
McCaw remembered Smith making an impression from a very young age.
“I remember playing against him in the under-19s and thinking even back then how good he was. He was always tough.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Smith famously wore dreadlocks for much of his career. In 2006, he had them cut off and auctioned to raise money for charity.
For McCaw to single him out says plenty.
The New Zealander faced almost every great back-row forward of his era, but Smith was causing him problems before either had even reached the Test stage.
McCaw has also spoken about the opponents he enjoyed facing considerably less, including the player with whom he had perhaps his most bitter rivalry. You can read that story here.
