All Blacks and Crusaders Captain Richie McCaw is often regarded as the best open-side flanker in the world, he recently lead the All Blacks to their Rugby World Cup championship win, the first time New Zealand had won the tournament in 24 years.

McCaw captained Canterbury to the NPC title in 2004 and then led the Crusaders to back to back titles in 2005 and 2006 before taking reign of the All Blacks in 2006. He then went on to captain the Crusaders to their 2008 victory.

A master of the breakdown, McCaw played his 100^th Super Rugby match for the Crusaders against the Stormers in 2010. He also recently played his 100^th All Blacks Test Match against France in the round robin of the Rugby World Cup in front of a home crowd at Eden Park.

McCaw has been named the IRB Player of the Year for a record three times in 2006, 2009 and 2010.

He was raised in North Otago and attended Otago Boys High; he is a keen glider pilot in his spare time.

View Richie's Confession