Richie McCaw only admitted to hating one rugby player – and he had every reason to

Wednesday, 05 August 2026 at 14:48

bySteven Smith

New Zealand legend and two time Rugby World Cup winner Richie McCaw has ranked his three toughest back-row opponents from his incredible rugby career.

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The legendary flanker, who won a record 148 caps for the All Blacks between 2001 and 2015, went toe-to-toe with some of the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of boots during his stellar career.

Still not on speaking terms, McCaw didn't even mention the controversial fly-half Quade Cooper when listing his five toughest opponents during his stellar career.

For reasons the New Zealand-born star has not yet divulged, he played McCaw off the ball then later in the same game, whacked him on the head deliberately.

A few months later he kneed the All Blacks skipper in the head, creating a bitter rivalry between himself and the whole of New Zealand.

RICHIE MCCAW: TOUGHEST OPPONENTS

#5. 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"

DID YOU KNOW? He broke the record for most tackles in a match, making 38 tackles against the All Blacks in the 2007 World Cup

#4. David Pocock (Australia)

Position Flanker
Height 6 ft 0 in
Weight 227 lb
Caps 80

The Zimbabwe-born openside flanker, who made his debut for the Wallabies in 2008 and played at his first Rugby World Cup in 2011, was widely considered one of the best players in his position.

Richie McCaw said: "Ever since I started playing rugby I've looked forward to games against other No7s who are highly rated," he said. "Pocock was one of the best."

DID YOU KNOW? Pocock and his friend Luke O’Keefe run a not-for-profit organisation, Eightytwenty Vision, which has the aim of helping the less fortunate people of Zimbabwe.

#3. Richard Hill (England/Lions)

Position Back-row
Height 6 ft 2 in
Weight 224 lb
Caps 76

Hill played 288 times for Saracens and 71 times for England making him one of the modern greats of the English game. He also played five Tests for the British and Irish Lions between 1997 and 2005.

McCaw said: “Extremely gifted player who had all the ability in the world to play and run the ball. When England needed someone to dig in he was your man. He had the full tool bag and quietly got on with it.”

DID YOU KNOW? On his mother's side, Hill is a second cousin removed of film director Peter Jackson

#2. Schalk Burger (South Africa)

Position Back-row
Height 6 ft 4 in
Weight 242 lb
Caps 86

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."

DID YOU KNOW? When not playing rugby, Burger lives and works with his family on the Welbedacht Wine Estate near Wellington, Western Cape.

#1. George Smith (Australia)

Position Back-row
Height 5 ft 11 in
Weight 233 lb
Caps 111

Smith was a great contributor to Australian rugby in the modern era, playing in 111 tests across 13 years donning the green and gold jersey. 24 of those tests were against the All Blacks, of which Smith triumphed in seven – but only three in which McCaw also played.

McCaw said: Speaking in a Q+A with World Rugby, McCaw's revealed former Wallabies flanker George Smith as the one he feared most on the field, saying 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.”