Richie McCaw names the FOUR opponents he couldn’t stand facing

Tuesday, 03 February 2026 at 22:00

bySteven Smith

Richie McCaw is rugby royalty. 148 Test caps. Two Rugby World Cups. Fifteen years of dominance in the All Blacks’ No.7 jersey.

So when the greatest openside flanker of all time is asked who

really pushed him to the limit, the answers carry serious weight.

Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Speaking in a Q&A with World Rugby, McCaw revealed the four back-row forwards he hated coming up against the most during his glittering career – and despite their reputations, Michael Hooper and Sam Warburton didn’t make the cut.

Instead, McCaw named four men who combined physicality, intelligence and sheer menace at the breakdown.

#1. George Smith (Australia)

Position: Back-row
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Weight: 233 lb
Test caps: 111

If there was one man who truly mirrored Richie McCaw’s breakdown mastery, it was George Smith.

The Wallabies legend debuted for Australia at just 19 years old and went on to become one of the most tactically astute openside flankers the professional era has ever seen. Smith wasn’t the biggest or the fastest, but his reading of the game was exceptional. He always seemed to arrive first, lower, and smarter than anyone else.

Smith earned 111 Test caps across 13 years, a remarkable achievement given Australia’s constant regeneration during that period. He faced the All Blacks 24 times, winning seven of those encounters – an impressive return against one of the most dominant teams in rugby history.

McCaw admitted Smith stood out early.

“He was always pretty tough. I remember playing him when I was in the under-19s against Australia and thinking just how good a player he was.”

Expanded bio:
Smith was a two-time winner of the John Eales Medal, Australia’s highest individual honour, and starred for the Brumbies during their golden Super Rugby era. After leaving Australia, he extended his career with Toulon in France and Suntory in Japan, proving his class translated across leagues and styles.

Even into his late 30s, Smith remained good enough to earn Wallabies recalls – a testament to his rugby IQ and conditioning.

Did you know?
Smith was instantly recognisable for his dreadlocks, which he famously sold in 2006 to raise money for a charity supporting young people with cancer.

#2. Schalk Burger (South Africa)

Position: Back-row
Height: 6 ft 4 in
Weight: 242 lb
Test caps: 86

Where Smith was subtle, Schalk Burger was seismic.

The Springbok bruiser redefined physicality in the back row, combining explosive power with ferocious intent at every breakdown and collision. Burger didn’t just want to win contact – he wanted to dominate it.

McCaw knew every time he lined up opposite him, it would be a war.

“You can come up against another tough team but never feel like you’ve had a tough match against your opposite. But with Burger, you knew where they were going to be and how hard they play near the ball.”

Expanded bio:
Burger made his Springbok debut in 2002 and quickly became the heartbeat of South Africa’s pack. His crowning moment came in 2007, when he played a pivotal role in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup triumph, earning World Rugby Player of the Year honours the following season.

In 2009, Burger’s career – and life – was nearly cut short by a rare and life-threatening spinal infection. Many feared he would never play again. Instead, he returned to Test rugby, captained his country, and added even more ferocity to his legacy.

At club level, Burger starred for the Stormers and later Saracens, where he became a cult hero and Premiership winner.

Did you know?
Away from rugby, Burger runs the Welbedacht Wine Estate with his family near Wellington in South Africa’s Western Cape.

#3. Lewis Moody (England)

Position: Back-row
Height: 6 ft 3 in
Weight: 225 lb
Test caps: 71

Few players embodied intensity quite like Lewis Moody.

Nicknamed “Mad Dog”, Moody was relentless, confrontational and utterly fearless. Whether chasing down backs, smashing into rucks or carrying into heavy traffic, he played every game as if it were his last.

McCaw respected both his attitude and his versatility.

“I had a lot of respect for the way he plays – he throws himself into a lot of it.
Moody was a little bit different to most flankers – he was also a ball carrier and he could put a lot of pressure on backlines.”

Expanded bio:
Moody won 71 caps for England and was a key figure in their historic 2003 Rugby World Cup victory, coming off the bench in the final. He later captained England and was widely regarded as one of the emotional leaders of the side.

At club level, Moody was a cornerstone of Leicester Tigers’ dynasty, winning multiple Premiership titles and European Cups. His confrontational style and unbreakable work ethic made him a favourite with teammates and supporters alike.

Though injuries curtailed his career, Moody’s reputation as one of England’s toughest-ever flankers remains intact.

#4. Thierry Dusautoir (France)

Position: Back-row
Height: 6 ft 2 in
Weight: 218 lb
Test caps: 80

If one man ever single-handedly haunted the All Blacks, it was Thierry Dusautoir.

The former France captain earned legendary status after producing one of the greatest defensive performances in World Cup history during France’s 20–18 upset over New Zealand in 2007, making an extraordinary number of tackles.

McCaw never forgot the experience.

“Over the years I played him a few times and you always knew he was there.
He was always pretty big defensively and in the breakdown area. A menace.”

Expanded bio:
Dusautoir made his Test debut in 2006 and quickly became the heartbeat of the French pack. In 2011, he captained France to the World Cup final, scoring a try against New Zealand and being named Man of the Match despite an 8–7 defeat.

Renowned for his defensive work rate, humility and leadership, Dusautoir was twice nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year and is widely considered one of the greatest defensive forwards the game has seen.

Quiet off the field and relentless on it, Dusautoir represented everything McCaw valued in an opponent – discipline, durability and danger.