5 greatest Rugby Union players of all time

Modified Aug 26, 2019 13:42 IST

#1 Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

It is quite befitting that the McCaw, the only player to have won 2 World cups as captain, is ranked as the greatest player the game has ever seen. He was an openside flanker and remains the benchmark for excellence in breakdowns. He won numerous turnovers in his career and was famous for standing up after tackling a player and snatching the ball at that instance. He was a terror for his opponents in the breakdowns and made sure that the All Blacks always dominated them.

McCaw won the 2011 and 2015 world cups as the captain of the all Blacks. He also played in 148 tests for them in a 14-year long career. McCaw was known for his leadership abilities also and remained a player his teammates looked up to. He also managed to score 27 tries in his international career and had a wonderful club career with the Canterbury Crusaders with whom he won 6 Super rugby titles. He also won 10 Tri-nations titles with the All Blacks and was twice selected as the World Player of the year.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Amar Anand