Richie McCaw knows exactly what it takes to lead the All Blacks.
The legendary openside flanker captained New Zealand to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles and remains widely regarded as one of the greatest leaders the sport has ever seen.
So when McCaw speaks about the current All Blacks skipper, Ardie Savea, rugby fans take notice.
Far from offering criticism, the two-time World Cup winner has made it abundantly clear just how highly he rates the dynamic loose forward.
“I Love Watching Ardie Savea”
In an interview with The Times, McCaw admitted Savea is one of the players he most enjoys watching in world rugby.
“I love watching the old dog Ardie Savea change the momentum of Tests with his game-breaking carries or jackals from the back row.”
It is high praise from a player who redefined the openside flanker role during his illustrious career.
McCaw’s comments underline what makes Savea so special. While the current captain may not play exactly like his predecessor, his ability to produce match-winning moments through powerful carries, relentless work at the breakdown and inspirational leadership has made him the heartbeat of the All Blacks.
A Message From One Captain to Another
When Savea was appointed All Blacks captain ahead of the 2026 season, McCaw reached out privately with some advice that was later shared publicly by New Zealand Rugby.
His message read:
“My advice, for what it’s worth, is give it more than you ever have, which I know will be hard beyond belief. But if you do this you will never ever have any regrets.”
The message reflected McCaw’s own approach to captaincy, where relentless commitment and leading by example became the foundations of one of the greatest eras in All Blacks history.
All Blacks Handed NIGHTMARE Route to 2027 Rugby World Cup Final
The All Blacks have been handed a potentially brutal route to the 2027 Rugby World Cup final after being drawn alongside hosts Australia in one of the tournament’s toughest pools.
With the competition expanding to 24 teams and introducing a Round of 16 for the first time, New Zealand can already map out their possible path to the Webb Ellis Cup — and it is packed with danger.
Pool A: A Trans-Tasman Showdown
New Zealand have been drawn in Pool A with Australia, creating one of the marquee clashes of the group stage. The All Blacks and Wallabies are expected to battle for top spot, with the pool winner earning a potentially more favourable route through the knockout stages.
Under the tournament format, the top two teams from each pool automatically qualify for the Round of 16, while the four best third-placed teams across all pools also advance.
For New Zealand, the objective will be simple: finish first in Pool A.
Round of 16: A Third-Placed Opponent Awaits
If the All Blacks top Pool A, they will face one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams in the Round of 16.
Based on the draw, that opponent would come from Pools C, E or F. Possible challengers could include:
Samoa, USA or Japan (Pool E)
Wales or Tonga (Pool F)
One of the emerging contenders from Pool C
On paper, this should represent a manageable first knockout assignment for New Zealand.
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