Dan Carter and Richie McCaw both agreed on the greatest number 10 in rugby history

Tuesday, 08 September 2026 at 22:34

byRugby Rucker

Dan Carter and Richie McCaw faced some of the greatest players rugby has ever produced during their glittering careers – but they were firmly in agreement when it came to one legendary number 10.

The iconic All Blacks duo were asked to pick out the toughest and best players they encountered, with England legend Jonny Wilkinson earning particularly glowing praise.

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Carter went as far as describing the 2003 Rugby World Cup winner as the closest thing he had seen to the “perfect rugby player”, while McCaw simply declared him one of the greats.

However, Wilkinson wasn't the only rugby icon to make their list.

From Springbok enforcers to breakdown masters, here are five players Carter and McCaw reserved some of their biggest praise for.

5. Jonah Lomu – New Zealand

Position: Winger
Caps: 63
Test career: 1994–2002

“He bowled me over”

Carter experienced Lomu’s extraordinary power first-hand during the early stages of his career.

Carter said: “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.”

McCaw, meanwhile, had the privilege – and occasional misfortune – of training alongside the All Blacks icon.

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.”

Lomu became rugby union’s first genuine global superstar after exploding onto the scene at the 1995 Rugby World Cup. His combination of size, power and pace transformed perceptions of what was possible from a winger.

DID YOU KNOW? New Zealand sevens great Eric Rush encountered Lomu when he was still a teenager and quickly recognised his extraordinary potential.

4. Thierry Dusautoir – France

Position: Flanker
Caps: 80
Test career: 2006–2015

“A menace”

Few players caused the All Blacks more problems on the biggest stage than Thierry Dusautoir.

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.”

Carter also singled out the Frenchman's ability to produce his best rugby when the pressure was greatest.

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.”

Dusautoir was instrumental in France’s famous 2007 World Cup quarter-final victory over New Zealand before captaining Les Bleus against the All Blacks in the 2011 final.

3. Jonny Wilkinson – England

Position: Fly-half
Caps: 91 for England, six for the British & Irish Lions
Test career: 1998–2011

“The closest thing I've seen to the perfect rugby player”

This was where Carter delivered perhaps the biggest compliment of all.

The two fly-halves were regularly compared during their careers, but Carter had no hesitation in acknowledging Wilkinson's greatness.

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.”

McCaw was similarly complimentary.

McCaw said: “He'll go down as one of the greats of world rugby.”

Wilkinson famously kicked England to World Cup glory in 2003, landing the match-winning drop goal against Australia in extra-time.

His obsessive preparation, defensive commitment and remarkable accuracy from the tee established him as one of rugby's greatest-ever fly-halves.

He later enjoyed a stunning second act with Toulon, helping the French giants win back-to-back European titles before retiring in 2014.

DID YOU KNOW? Wilkinson's brother Mark also played professional rugby, representing Newcastle Falcons alongside him.

2. Schalk Burger – South Africa

Position: Flanker
Caps: 86
Test career: 2003–2015

“He just kept coming for me”

Schalk Burger's relentless physicality left a lasting impression on both All Blacks legends.

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.”

Carter remembered regularly finding himself in the Springbok flanker’s sights.

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 added: “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.”

Burger was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2004 and later helped South Africa win the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

His remarkable career also included a comeback from a life-threatening illness before returning to international rugby.

1. George Smith – Australia

Position: Flanker
Caps: 111
Test career: 2000–2013

“I used to hate playing this guy”

Taking top spot is Wallabies breakdown master George Smith.

McCaw first encountered Smith before either had established themselves as Test rugby superstars – and immediately realised just how good the Australian was.

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.”

Carter was even more succinct.

Carter said: “I used to hate playing this guy because he was so bloody good. A true legend of the game.”

Smith earned 111 Test caps during an extraordinary international career and became one of the defining opensides of his generation.

His ability over the ball was legendary, but it was his complete skillset – carrying, passing, tackling and reading the game – that separated him from many of his contemporaries.

He was twice awarded the John Eales Medal as Australia's outstanding international player.

Dan Carter and Richie McCaw both agreed on the greatest number 10 in rugby history