Richie McCaw never forgave Australia star for deliberate act of foul play

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

But with greatness comes rivalry, and McCaw's relentless style often saw him locked in fierce battles with some of the game’s most fiery characters.

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.

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.

The infamous spear tackle involving Lote Tuqiri and Richie McCaw occurred during the 2006 Tri-Nations Test at Eden Park in Auckland. Early in the second half, Tuqiri lifted the All Blacks captain and drove him head-first into the turf in a dangerous spear-style motion. McCaw was left clutching his neck, yet the referee astonishingly let play continue without issuing a penalty. For many, the lack of immediate sanction made the incident even more controversial.

The tackle quickly became a flashpoint beyond the match itself. Fans, commentators, and even political leaders voiced outrage at what they had seen. That McCaw walked away without serious injury was remarkable, given the risks of neck and head damage. His reputation as “Captain Courageous” only grew, as he played on and continued to lead New Zealand without complaint.

In the aftermath, Tuqiri was cited by SANZAR’s judiciary panel. After reviewing the video, officials handed him a lengthy suspension that ruled him out until early November 2006. Depending on how it was counted, the ban was described as around ten weeks or five matches, but it cost Tuqiri both international and provincial game time. The decision showed how seriously rugby authorities viewed spear tackles, even if referees sometimes missed them in real time.

Tuqiri later issued McCaw a written apology, which the All Blacks legend accepted, but the incident left a lasting impression on rugby’s approach to dangerous play.

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.

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.