Richie McCaw

Who is Richie McCaw?

Richard Hugh "Richie" McCaw is a New Zealand rugby union player, and is the current test captain of the All Blacks – the country's national team. He predominantly plays in the openside flanker position for the New Zealand, Crusaders and Canterbury teams, but had also played as blindside flanker and no. 8. McCaw is considered by many as the greatest openside flanker of all time, with his ability to anticipate play and adaptability to the referee's rulings two of his key attributes. He was raised in rural North Otago, before moving to Dunedin in 1994 to board at Otago Boys' High School. In 1999 he moved to Christchurch to study at Lincoln University and was selected in the national under-19 team. The following year he played for the Under-21s and Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship, before debuting in 2001 for the Crusaders in Super Rugby.

He was selected for the All Blacks' 2001 end-of-year tour, despite having played only eight minutes of Super 12 rugby. His debut for New Zealand was against Ireland, where he was awarded man-of-the-match and was selected as New Zealand's first choice openside flanker for the 2003 World Cup.