Richie McCaw makes all-time Test appearance

All Blacks rugby captain Richie McCaw became the most-capped player in Test history when he made his 142nd appearance for world champions New Zealand against Australia in Auckland yesterday, breaking the record held by former Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll, BBCsport reported.

"I've never seen a man play through what he plays through. The hits he goes through and injuries he plays with that people don't know about,"veteran All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu told BBC Sport.

"You wouldn't be able to tell when you see him running out there, he always looks like Richie when he's in the black jersey, you know? And being a good man; a good Kiwi bloke... Skip's a skip."

Former All Blacks winger Rico Gear said it is McCaw's leadership that makes him extraordinary. "Richie's probably not the most talented rugby player compared to other guys, but certainly what he has well above anybody else - which is why he's the captain - is his ability to lead the guys around," said Gear.

"He's uncompromising and he leads with his actions. His body is on the line and he somehow keeps going. That's inspirational."

The All Blacks' most successful captain is happy to play down his role in the world champions' ongoing success.

"A lot of your talking and discussing is done before you're on the field, he said. "There are times where you just look at each other and know what you talked about is happening.

"You don't often need to say much, sometimes a look is enough,especially if you've played together a while. You understand the situations and then you know what to do."

McCaw's favourite victory is the 8-7 World Cup final triumph over France in 2011, when a broken foot meant every step he took during the match felt "like stepping on a red-hot lump of coal".

(BBCsport)