All Blacks legend Richie McCaw didn't hesitate when naming the best rugby stadium
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When the Richie McCaw speaks, the rugby world stops to listen. Widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, the former All Blacks captain knows a thing or two about iconic rugby arenas.
With two Rugby World Cups under his belt and a career that spanned nearly every major stadium on the planet, McCaw has experienced it all—but a select few grounds stand out above the rest.
So, which stadiums left a lasting impression on the legendary flanker? Let's break it down, dive into their electric atmospheres, and uncover the quirks that make these venues unforgettable.
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Principality Stadium: Rugby Heaven Under a Roof
McCaw's top choice for atmosphere? The iconic Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Known for its electric vibe when the roof is closed, McCaw fondly recalls the incredible energy of the crowd that echoes through the 74,000-seat arena.
“It is great to be playing with the roof closed as that creates both a great atmosphere and a dry ball,” said Richie McCaw. The indoor setting makes the venue unique, creating a cauldron-like effect where sound bounces around, making it incredibly loud. Whether you’re Welsh or not, the cheers (and jeers) surround you from all angles.
Despite the deafening noise, McCaw loved the challenge:
“It can be extremely noisy but then it is the same for both sides and you just have to do your best to get your messages over to your mates.”
This stadium, originally known as the Millennium Stadium, is nestled in the heart of Cardiff and is as iconic for its retractable roof as for the history it holds. From World Cup finals to Six Nations clashes, it’s a venue that every player wants to experience.
For McCaw, this stadium is in a league of its own:
“It is certainly one of my favourite places,” he said. And who can blame him? Few rugby venues boast the atmosphere of Principality on a match day.
Ellis Park: A Fortress of History and Intimidation
McCaw also holds South Africa’s Ellis Park in high regard. Located in Johannesburg, this is a venue drenched in history, perhaps most famously known as the site where South Africa won the 1995 Rugby World Cup. For McCaw, playing at Ellis Park was as intimidating as it was exhilarating.
“Ellis Park is one of the great stadiums to play test rugby at, even though it is tough and intimidating,” McCaw wrote on his Facebook page.
What makes Ellis Park so daunting? The high altitude of Johannesburg, combined with the passion of the home fans, gives the Springboks an edge. At 1,753 meters (5,750 feet) above sea level, it's known to sap the energy of even the fittest athletes. The chants of “Bokke! Bokke!” resonate through the concrete structure, making it a cauldron for visiting teams.
The stadium’s open design ensures that no roof can muffle the roar of 60,000 fans. Built in 1928, Ellis Park remains one of the most storied and intense rugby environments in the world. It's not just the physical challenge of playing at altitude—it's the sense of history and national pride that you can feel in the air.
Lansdowne Road: Old-School Grit Meets Modern Marvel
Ireland's Lansdowne Road, now replaced by the state-of-the-art Aviva Stadium, was another standout for McCaw. The flanker cherishes the memories of playing at both the old Lansdowne Road and its ultra-modern successor.
“There’s no doubt the current Aviva is an amazing place to play, but to have played at the old Lansdowne Road a couple of times… I was pretty lucky to get to play at both,” McCaw said, reflecting on the ground's evolution.
The old Lansdowne Road was a stadium with character, grit, and history, where the noise from the crowd felt like it was pressing down on you from the rickety stands. Built in 1872, it was the oldest rugby stadium in the world before being replaced by the Aviva.
While the Aviva boasts a sleek, modern design with its eye-catching curved roof, McCaw still holds a soft spot for the original, especially with its unique location—straddling a train line. When Lansdowne was redeveloped, trains had to be factored into the design, making it a quirky feature of a world-class stadium.
Croke Park: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
One of the most special memories for McCaw didn't happen in a traditional rugby stadium. During the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road, Ireland's rugby team moved temporarily to Croke Park, traditionally a GAA stadium, home to hurling and Gaelic football.
“I’ll tell you what – the one great experience we had when it was being rebuilt was to play at Croke Park. I understand the history of Croke Park and that was pretty cool,” McCaw shared.
Croke Park, with its 82,000 capacity, is not just a sporting arena but a national symbol in Ireland. The site of the 1920 Bloody Sunday massacre, the stadium is deeply entwined with the country's turbulent history. For many, playing rugby in a GAA fortress was a symbolic moment of unity between different Irish sports and communities.
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England's EIGHT worst players during the Autumn Nations Series
England’s Autumn Nations Series has been one to forget, but at least it ended with a bang as Steve Borthwick's men demolished Eddie Jones' Japan 56-7 at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium.
The nine-try romp may have snapped a painful five-match losing streak, but it wasn't enough to paper over the cracks of a bruising campaign. Close defeats to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa left fans and pundits unimpressed.
And it seems The Telegraph wasn't holding back, handing out some savage 5/10 ratings to eight players for their efforts across the series. Harsh? You decide.
Fin Baxter
“Could not quite carry over the momentum he established from the New Zealand tour. Possibly suffering from the equivalent of the tricky second album syndrome.”
Theo Dan
“There's a definite spark when he comes off the bench in terms of his ball-carrying but England's set piece does creak with him on the field.”
Dan Cole
“Like a Clint Eastwood Western character keeps postponing retirement for 'one last job'. England's scrum did wobble when he came on, but Borthwick will be desperate for him to stick around.”
George Martin
“Came in this campaign with minimal game time and it showed as he looked to be struggling to last the pace. Uncharacteristically made a few too many missed tackles.”
Nick Isiekwe
“Made very little impression coming on as a replacement aside from one stolen lineout against Japan. A decent performer in the Premiership but England need more dynamism.”
Alex Dombrandt
“Feels a clear area of upgrade for the Six Nations. Made little impression coming off the bench with his static carry and poor ball presentation leading to George Ford's skewed drop goal.”
George Ford
“The missed drop goal was unfortunate and certainly not all his fault so did not deserve to be booed the following week when the crowd thought he was replacing Smith. Will come again.”
Henry Slade
“Some exquisite touches but never truly grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. How many times has that been written of Slade? Also appeared to be involved in several defensive doglegs.”
For the full ratings and context, visit The Telegraph website.
Can you name every England Rugby captain of the professional era?
Whether it’s the grit of Will Carling in the 90s, the tactical brilliance of Martin Johnson, or the fearless leadership of Owen Farrell, this quiz will challenge even the most dedicated fans.
Think you can name them all? Grab your boots and let’s see how well you know the men who led England into battle on the world stage!
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