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.
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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. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
Position: Winger
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
🧱 #4. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
Position: Flanker
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.”
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.”
DID YOU KNOW?
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.