Richie McCaw

Richie McCaw’s 148 test caps remain the highest of any player in rugby history, and his leadership delivered back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles in 2011 and 2015. At the breakdown, he averaged over 3 turnovers per match during his prime, a rate that outperforms #2 Jonah Lomu’s defensive contributions by a wide margin. His relentless work rate redefined the openside flanker position, setting a standard of excellence that remains unmatched in the professional era and making him the definitive benchmark for modern forwards.