#2. Andy Goode (England)
BARNES SAID: “He always made me smile as he made me look athletic when we were on the same pitch. However, the humorous players always keep you on your toes and if they get opportunity to pick you up on a slight faux pas, they will.
“I once mentioned to Andy Goode that him and his team mates were all appealing for far too many decisions and told him that it sounded like there were 15 referees on the pitch. “And you’re not even in the top 10” was his reply.”
DID YOU KNOW? Goode had an 18-year professional career playing over 400 games and scoring over 4,000 points
#1. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Lifting the 2011 World Cup in his backyard was a fitting tribute to one of the greatest ever All Blacks, but he went on to secure true legendary status as he continued for four more years, breaking record after record and uniquely hoisting the Webb Ellis trophy for a second time.
BARNES SAID: “I’ve been on the field with some of the great captains, John Smit, Sam Warburton and Richie McCaw,” said Barnes.
“Richie always had the knack of asking the right question at the right time, sometimes it felt like I was losing a little bit of control.
“Contrary to popular belief, he didn’t talk a lot on the field. He knew the law book inside out and so when he asked a question, he often had a point.”
Richie McCaw facts:
- McCaw’s great-great-grandfather immigrated to New Zealand from the Scottish Borders in 1893. As tribute to his roots, the legendary All Black has learned how to play the bagpipes
- He has won the World Rugby player of the year award a joint record three times and was the most capped test rugby player of all time from August 2015 to October 2020
- McCaw was awarded World Rugby player of the decade (2011–2020) in 2021
- It was revealed at his retirement announcement in 2015 that McCaw would work at Christchurch Helicopters, where he is a Director and Shareholder, and was obtaining a commercial helicopter licence
- In December 2011, then Prime Minister John Key revealed that he had asked McCaw about the possibility of a knighthood in the 2012 New Year Honours, but that McCaw had turned it down