McCaw - talented flanker. (Getty Images)
RITCHIE McCAW
Born: 31.12.80
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 16st 5lb
Position: Flanker
Club: Canterbury
Caps: 14
Points: 5
A superb flanker, McCaw was Man of the Match on his Test debut against Ireland in November 2001 and has gone from strength to strength from then on.
A former U19 and U21 star, he was voted the International Rugby Player's Association Newcomer of the Year in 2002, and is regarded as one of the most complete forwards in world rugby.
He started the 2002 season with only eight minutes of Super 12 rugby under his belt, but he soon became a key player for Canterbury as the Crusaders became the first team to win every match in a Super 12 season.
Blessed with blistering speed, McCaw is usually the first to any loose ball, and at the age of 22 can go on to become one of the game's greats.
His only Test try came in a narrow defeat at the hands of Australia in August 2002, when he also turned in a dominant performance.
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