Decade team

Nine All Blacks in rugby's Team of the Decade

Such selections often reflect a regional bias, but All Blacks dominated Wales Online rugby correspondent Andy Howell's XV.

McCaw and Carter were joined by wings Ben Smith and Julian Savea, midfielder Ma'a Nonu, No 8 Kieran Read, lock Brodie Retallick and frontrowers Dane Coles and Owen Franks.

Of McCaw's selection, Howell wrote that there were other standout openside flankers in the 2010s, but "unfortunately for them, they have been eclipsed by one of the greatest rugby players in history. A world record 148 caps for the All Blacks says everything about McCaw."