Dan Carter and Richie McCaw didn’t hesitate when asked who the greatest rugby player of all time is
Rugby NewsSaturday, 27 December 2025 at 17:37
Dan Carter and Richie McCaw — two All Blacks icons, two double World Cup winners, and two of the greatest ever to lace up their boots.
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Carter, the silky fly-half, was the creative heartbeat of New Zealand for more than a decade. With 1,598 Test points in 112 appearances, he retired as rugby’s all-time leading scorer and the master of game management.
McCaw, meanwhile, redefined leadership as the ultimate openside flanker. With a record 148 Test wins from 148 caps, he captained the All Blacks to back-to-back World Cup glory in 2011 and 2015, and earned respect worldwide for his relentless drive and composure under pressure.
So when these two giants of the game were asked to name their toughest ever opponent, their identical answer spoke volumes.
? #5. George Smith (Australia)
Position: Flanker
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Weight: 233 lb
Caps: 111
Years Active: 2000–2013
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Weight: 233 lb
Caps: 111
Years Active: 2000–2013
? The Breakdown King
"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.”
Dan Carter said:
"I used to hate playing this guy because he was so bloody good. A true legend of the game."
"I used to hate playing this guy because he was so bloody good. A true legend of the game."
DID YOU KNOW?
Smith won the John Eales Medal twice — Australia’s highest rugby honour — in 2002 and 2008.
Smith won the John Eales Medal twice — Australia’s highest rugby honour — in 2002 and 2008.
BIO:
George Smith was a generational talent — a master at the breakdown with unmatched anticipation and skill. Debuting at just 20, he went on to earn over 100 caps for the Wallabies, becoming a mainstay in the back-row for over a decade. Renowned for his offloading, jackaling, and vision, Smith redefined what it meant to be a modern openside. He also starred in Europe and Japan, proving his class on every stage he graced.
George Smith was a generational talent — a master at the breakdown with unmatched anticipation and skill. Debuting at just 20, he went on to earn over 100 caps for the Wallabies, becoming a mainstay in the back-row for over a decade. Renowned for his offloading, jackaling, and vision, Smith redefined what it meant to be a modern openside. He also starred in Europe and Japan, proving his class on every stage he graced.
? #4. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
Position: Flanker
Height: 6 ft 2 in
Weight: 218 lb
Caps: 80
Years Active: 2006–2015
Height: 6 ft 2 in
Weight: 218 lb
Caps: 80
Years Active: 2006–2015
?️ The French Tackling Machine
Richie 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."
"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."
Dan 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."
"He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks."
DID YOU KNOW?
Dusautoir made a record 38 tackles in a single match — against New Zealand in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Dusautoir made a record 38 tackles in a single match — against New Zealand in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
BIO:
Nicknamed "The Dark Destroyer," Thierry Dusautoir was the heartbeat of France’s forward pack throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s. Best known for his World Cup heroics, including a record-breaking 38 tackles against the All Blacks in 2007, he captained Les Bleus to the 2011 final. Revered for his discipline, leadership, and tackle technique, Dusautoir’s consistency and quiet aggression made him one of the most respected flankers in modern rugby history.
Nicknamed "The Dark Destroyer," Thierry Dusautoir was the heartbeat of France’s forward pack throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s. Best known for his World Cup heroics, including a record-breaking 38 tackles against the All Blacks in 2007, he captained Les Bleus to the 2011 final. Revered for his discipline, leadership, and tackle technique, Dusautoir’s consistency and quiet aggression made him one of the most respected flankers in modern rugby history.
? #3. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
Position: Fly-half
Height: 6 ft
Weight: 200 lb
Caps: 97
Years Active: 1998–2011
Height: 6 ft
Weight: 200 lb
Caps: 97
Years Active: 1998–2011
⚖️ The Perfectionist
Dan 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."
"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."
Richie McCaw said:
"He'll go down as one of the greats of world rugby.”
"He'll go down as one of the greats of world rugby.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Jonny’s brother, Mark Wilkinson, also played for Newcastle Falcons, making 16 Premiership appearances between 2002 and 2005.
Jonny’s brother, Mark Wilkinson, also played for Newcastle Falcons, making 16 Premiership appearances between 2002 and 2005.
BIO:
Jonny Wilkinson was England’s golden boy — the drop-goal hero of the 2003 Rugby World Cup final and a relentless perfectionist. Known for his intense training routines, pinpoint kicking and defensive steel, Wilkinson was equally admired for his humility. Injuries plagued his career, but he bounced back to shine at Toulon, winning two Heineken Cups. A tactical maestro and clutch performer, Jonny remains one of the most technically gifted fly-halves ever.
Jonny Wilkinson was England’s golden boy — the drop-goal hero of the 2003 Rugby World Cup final and a relentless perfectionist. Known for his intense training routines, pinpoint kicking and defensive steel, Wilkinson was equally admired for his humility. Injuries plagued his career, but he bounced back to shine at Toulon, winning two Heineken Cups. A tactical maestro and clutch performer, Jonny remains one of the most technically gifted fly-halves ever.
? #2. Schalk Burger (South Africa)
Position: Flanker
Height: 6 ft 4 in
Weight: 242 lb
Caps: 86
Years Active: 2003–2015
Height: 6 ft 4 in
Weight: 242 lb
Caps: 86
Years Active: 2003–2015
? A Wild Warrior with Engine for Days
Richie 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."
"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."
Dan 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 was having a huge battle with our big forward pack. 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."
"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 was having a huge battle with our big forward pack. 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."
DID YOU KNOW?
Burger was awarded the IRB Player of the Year in 2004, aged just 21.
Burger was awarded the IRB Player of the Year in 2004, aged just 21.
BIO:
Schalk Burger was a fearless enforcer and fan favourite in the Springboks jersey. With his wild blond hair and bruising tackles, he embodied raw physicality and relentless effort. A 2007 World Cup winner, Burger was known for his tireless work at the breakdown and thunderous ball-carrying. Off the field, he survived a life-threatening illness and returned to elite rugby, cementing his place as one of South Africa’s most courageous and committed players.
Schalk Burger was a fearless enforcer and fan favourite in the Springboks jersey. With his wild blond hair and bruising tackles, he embodied raw physicality and relentless effort. A 2007 World Cup winner, Burger was known for his tireless work at the breakdown and thunderous ball-carrying. Off the field, he survived a life-threatening illness and returned to elite rugby, cementing his place as one of South Africa’s most courageous and committed players.
? #1. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
Position: Winger
Height: 6 ft 5 in
Weight: 262 lb
Caps: 63
Years Active: 1994–2002
Height: 6 ft 5 in
Weight: 262 lb
Caps: 63
Years Active: 1994–2002
? The Human Bulldozer
Dan 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. The GOAT."
"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. The GOAT."
Richie 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. The greatest I think,"
"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. The greatest I think,"
DID YOU KNOW?
New Zealand sevens star Eric Rush once played a game of touch with a 14-year-old Lomu — and invited him to a sevens tournament in Singapore the next day.
New Zealand sevens star Eric Rush once played a game of touch with a 14-year-old Lomu — and invited him to a sevens tournament in Singapore the next day.
BIO:
Jonah Lomu changed rugby forever. Bursting onto the scene at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, he was a one-man wrecking ball, blending terrifying pace with raw power. At just 20, he was already an international superstar. Off the field, he remained humble, admired for his grace and courage battling a rare kidney disease. Lomu’s influence transcended sport — he became the game’s first global icon and remains rugby’s most enduring legend.
Jonah Lomu changed rugby forever. Bursting onto the scene at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, he was a one-man wrecking ball, blending terrifying pace with raw power. At just 20, he was already an international superstar. Off the field, he remained humble, admired for his grace and courage battling a rare kidney disease. Lomu’s influence transcended sport — he became the game’s first global icon and remains rugby’s most enduring legend.
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