Richie McCaw named World Rugby player of the decade as All Blacks dominate best XV
New Zealand’s two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain Richie McCaw has been named men’s player of the decade by World Rugby, with David Pocock Australia’s sole representative in the star-studded XV.
McCaw, who led the All Blacks to back-to-back World Cup titles in 2011 and 2015, saw off competition from former teammates Dan Carter, Kieran Read, Brodie Retallick and Beauden Barrett, as well as France’s Thierry Dusautoir, Ireland’s Johnny Sexton and South African Pieter-Steph du Toit.
Former Wallabies captain Pocock was named alongside seven New Zealand players, including Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock and Ma’a Nonu, in a team boasting boasts a total of 1,637 Test caps.
France fullback Jessy Tremouliere, who was part of the team that won their fourth Six Nations title in 2014, was named women’s player of the decade.
Black Ferns’ Portia Woodman took home the women’s sevens player of the decade award while Fiji’s Olympic champion Jerry Tuwai claimed the men’s prize.
Woodman also won the women’s try of the decade award for her effort against the United States in the semifinal of the 2017 World Cup. Jamie Heaslip’s stunning 80-metre try for Ireland against Italy in the 2016 Six Nations was voted the best men’s 15s try of the last 10 years.
“The rugby heroes featured in the ceremony and all the others that provided outstanding service during the pandemic are an inspiration to us all,” World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said.
“I would like to congratulate all tonight’s recipients for their outstanding contribution to our game over the last decade, and for some of them, for many years to come.”
Men’s team of the decade: Tendai Mtawarira (RSA), Bismarck du Plessis (RSA), Owen Franks (NZL), Brodie Retallick (NZL), Sam Whitelock (NZL), David Pocock (AUS), Richie McCaw (NZL), Sergio Parisse (ITA), Conor Murray (IRE), Dan Carter (NZL), Bryan Habana (RSA), Ma’a Nonu (NZL), Brian O’Driscoll (IRE), George North (WAL), Ben Smith (NZL)
Women’s team of the decade: Rochelle Clark (ENG), Fiao’o Faamausili (NZL), Sophie Hemming (ENG), Eloise Blackwell (NZL), Tamara Taylor (ENG), Linda Itunu (NZL), Maggie Alphonsi (ENG), Safi N’Diaye (FRA), Kendra Cocksedge (NZL), Katy Daley-Mclean (ENG), Portia Woodman (NZL), Kelly Brazier (NZL), Emily Scarratt (ENG), Lydia Thompson (ENG), Danielle Waterman (ENG)