‘Legendary McCaw and Carter not finished yet’

RICHIE McCAW and Dan Carter have dominated world rugby for the past decade but still have enough left in the tank for at least one more World Cup, according to All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick.

Last November McCaw became the first man to captain a side in 100 Tests and the pair have five World Player of the Year awards between them.

At 34 and 33 respectively, it is expected McCaw and Carter will bring the curtain down on their illustrious international careers at the end of this tournament but Fitzpatrick, a World Cup winner in 1987, reckons they have one more campaign left in them.

And Fitzpatrick has also paid tribute to the influence of the pair, saying their achievements will stand the test of time.

But he says the reigning champions will not pick players based on reputation and that Carter must earn the right to start after suffering a series of injuries since the 2011 World Cup on home soil.

‘Richie and Dan have been the two most influential players in world rugby over the past ten years,’ said Fitzpatrick at the launch of ITV’s World Cup coverage.

‘It is hard to say whether Richie is the greatest All Black of all time because it is difficult to compare between different eras. But what Richie has done in the past 15 years is out of this world and we are so lucky to have him. In terms of being All Blacks, the numbers of players who have stayed in New Zealand because Dan and Richie are there, the way they have led the game – they are an absolute credit, not just to New Zealand, but to our great game, our global game.

‘It’s because of the way they hold themselves. Do they have enough in the tank for one more tournament? Without question.

‘I am sure they are both saying: “Let’s do our jobs. I am the best captain in world rugby, I am the best flanker in New Zealand, I deserve my place, I am the best 10 in world rugby, the best 10 in New Zealand and they will want to show that.

‘Richie doesn’t need any motivation at all, but Dan Carter is under pressure. He has delivered, played his best game a couple of weeks ago for a long time and has lost a bit of weight while under pressure. It’s simple – if he doesn’t deliver he won’t play.’