5: MCCaW stRaNGLeD iN WeLLiNGtON

In 2006, the Hurricanes played the Crusaders at home in the round-robin game. It was an epic. They were one and two on the table and the rugby reflected the fact there were heavy numbers of All Blacks on both sides.

But midway through the second half, Crusaders and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw stayed down after a ruck. He was clearly sore and upset.

He got up after a few minutes and carried on. Nothing was said after the game but a few days later it was leaked to the NZ Herald that the skipper had been strangled at that ruck.