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.
Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
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.
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. George Smith (Australia)
Position: Flanker
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Weight: 233 lb
Caps: 111
Years Active: 2000–2013
💪 The Breakdown King
Richie McCaw said:
“Smith was always pretty tough. I remember playing him when I was in the under 19s against Australia and remember then thinking just what a good player he is. I’ve never seen a guy as gifted in all facets of the game.”
Dan Carter said:
“I used to hate playing this guy because he was so bloody good. A true legend of the game.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Smith won the John Eales Medal twice — Australia’s highest rugby honour — in 2002 and 2008.
BIO:
George Smith was a generational talent — a master at the breakdown with unmatched anticipation and skill. Debuting at just 20, he went on to earn over 100 caps for the Wallabies, becoming a mainstay in the back-row for over a decade. Renowned for his offloading, jackaling, and vision, Smith redefined what it meant to be a modern openside. He also starred in Europe and Japan, proving his class on every stage he graced.
🧱 #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.
Like this:
Like Loading…