Age: 26
Club team: Crusaders
International debut: 2001 Ireland Dublin
International Caps: 49 ( 15 as skipper)
Position: Open side Flanker
International tries: 9

McCaw epitomizes the modern games openside flanker. Not only is he a crunching defended by great on attack and able to keep his head. He is widely regarded as the worlds best open side flanker (well in my opinion its between Skulk and Maccaw). Maccaw was made captain of the all blacks at the tender age of only 23.

In 2002 Maccaw was voted Newcomer of the Year by the International Rugby Players’ Association. He then went on to be voted New Zealand player of the year award at the 2006 and 2003 Steinlager Rugby Awards. Maccaw also went on to be voted IRB player of the year in 2006. Richie has been a key player for the All blacks since 2001 and will be a player to watch in the rugby world cup 2007.

Here is a video profile of Richie McCaw