Richie McCaw loses 25kg as he swaps sports after quitting rugby 

 podcast. “But on a footy field, things happen. My mistake was not admitting it. I later apologised to Richie.”

Since retiring, the double World Cup-winner has become obsessed with ultra-hardcore marathons and has shifted a lot of that weight to give him a speed advantage.

The 41-year-old, who weighed 110 kg, is now closer to 85kg since dropping the weight.

For context, that's a weight drop of over three stone.

McCaw, the epitome of rugby excellence, is a New Zealand sporting legend. Born on December 31, 1980, in Oamaru, New Zealand, McCaw rose to prominence as a dynamic and tenacious flanker.

His illustrious career with the All Blacks saw him become the most capped player in rugby union history, with numerous accolades including two Rugby World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015, both as captain.

McCaw's leadership, unmatched work ethic, and unparalleled skills on the field have solidified his status as one of the greatest rugby players of all time, inspiring generations with his relentless pursuit of greatness.

From contentious tackles to outright confrontations, McCaw’s career was filled with moments that showcased not just his skill but his resilience in the face of adversity.

Here, we dive into the unforgettable clashes that defined McCaw’s journey and left a lasting legacy in the rugby world.

STEPHEN LARKHAM
Aussie icon Stephen Larkham was no pushover, and when he clashed with McCaw, sparks flew. The Wallabies fly-half matched McCaw’s ferocity, proving he could dish it out as well as take it.

LOTE TUQIRI
The infamous spear tackle. Tuqiri’s shocking hit on McCaw somehow escaped the referee’s attention, but it left fans stunned. It’s remarkable that McCaw walked away without serious injury. Then again, he wasn’t nicknamed Captain Courageous for nothing.

QUADE COOPER
The man Kiwis loved to hate.
During the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Cooper became public enemy number one in New Zealand after appearing to knee McCaw in the head during a Bledisloe Cup clash. Although he beat the charge, Cooper’s reputation was tarnished.

New Zealanders weren’t quick to forgive, booing him relentlessly throughout the World Cup and long after. Years later, Cooper admitted the knee was intentional but said he regretted not owning up earlier.

“Yeah, it was on purpose,” Cooper confessed on The Ice Project

McCaw, for his part, made it clear there was no love lost between them during their playing days.

DEAN GREYLING
A cameo to forget.
South African prop Dean Greyling’s substitute appearance in the 2012 Rugby Championship is remembered for all the wrong reasons. In a reckless moment, Greyling charged into a ruck and delivered a forearm smash to McCaw’s face, leaving the All Blacks skipper writhing in pain.

The crowd at Forsyth Barr Stadium erupted in boos as Greyling was shown a yellow card. Many believe the act would warrant a straight red in today’s game. McCaw, bruised but unbowed, got up and led the All Blacks to yet another victory, cementing his status as one of rugby’s toughest players.

We’ve given you FIVE minutes to see, with the number of appearances each nation has made given as a clue.

Note: this list and the total number of appearances is up to and including the 2018 World Cup – but not any of the national teams that have qualified for the 2023 tournament, which includes Chile.

The score from the geography whiz in the RUCK office to beat is 23/25. Getting 100% is achievable if you really put your mind to it.