Legendary Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan has rated Richie McCaw as the best back-row player he's ever seen and the "ultimate role-model" in any sport.
The former Scotland captain and four-time coach of the British and Irish Lions said he couldn't think of anyone better to follow anywhere and he also praised the All Blacks captain for his humility.
"What a competitor," said McGeechan in a column in The Telegraph.
"From what he has done and the length of time that he has done it, he has to be the best back-row player I have ever seen. There is no doubt about that. And New Zealand have produced a few decent back-row players over the years, with the number seven position being the superstar position in that country."
He also extended his praise to McCaw's team-mates and most notably Dan Carter, who "looked close to his best," according to McGeechan, as the All Blacks bounced back from their defeat to the Wallabies in Sydney to retain the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park last month.
That defeat was a wake-up call ahead of the World Cup and the All Blacks duly responded with a win in Auckland.
"They just do not make the same mistake twice," added McGeechan.
"They were chastened by defeat in Sydney and duly turned up at home determined to rectify the breakdown area, where they had definitely been second best in that game. They were so much better there."
McGeechan called the All Blacks' play in their comeback at Eden Park "clever", noting how hard it is to defend against a team recycling phases to serve quick ball as they did in that match.
Despite the hiding the Wallabies received from the All Blacks last month, McGeechan said that England and Wales should fear facing them in the World Cup's pool of death.
"On the surface the score-line of 41-13 might look like a real thumping for Australia but I still think they will be reasonably happy with where they are now.
"They can go into the World Cup with genuine confidence, mainly because they know now that their scrummage is strong enough to be stable and that in turn has a knock-on effect on how their back row and midfield can play."
- Stuff
