When Richie McCaw thinks of Sir Colin Meads playing rugby there's one try that stands out- the giant of rugby, ball in one hand, charging through the opposition in South Africa.
McCaw never saw him play in the flesh, but knew him as someone built on physical and mental toughness.
McCaw and Sir Colin Meads, who died yesterday, are widely considered the two greatest All Blacks ever.
- Legendary former All Black Sir Colin Meads has died
- Public Funeral for Colin Meads to be held in Te Kuiti
For McCaw, the man known as 'Pinetree' leaves a legacy that was something to measure up to.
"He was a big man, running around - he's obviously really quick. Pretty bloody tough. There's no doubt in his era he's the greatest there was."
Very few compare to Sir Colin Meads, known as the greatest All Black of the 20th century - met only by his match former captain Richie McCaw.
"To be even mentioned in the same breath as him is pretty cool. He's right at the top. People say it's hard to compare us but there's no doubt in his era he was the greatest All Black there ever was."
McCaw first met him in 2001 when he was awarded the 'NPC division on player of the year' at the New Zealand Rugby Awards.
"I remember thinking it was pretty cool, to shake to the hand and receive a trophy from a guy like Colin Meads."
"His humbleness, how he carried himself and what he'd done, that type of bloke. I enjoyed the chats we had and it was always usually with a beer in hand, I couldn't keep up with him on that I tell ya."
"He goes, aw crikey I don't think I'd last these days having to eat all that pasta and crap beforehand, that was just some of the sort of comments he would always make, he always said it with a bit of jest."
Richie McCaw's fondest memory is when his father Don McCaw sat next the Meads legend at one of his games.
"Afterwards he didn't want to talk about the game, all he was talking about was the fact he got to sit next to Colin Meads. I think that sort of wee story sums up the standing he had in my father's generation growing up with a guy that everyone looked up to."
The modern day All Blacks great is built differently to the hardened strength and stamina of Pinetree Meads - whose fitness was forged on the farming back blocks of Te Kuiti.
Sir Colin's funeral will be held in his home town of Te Kuiti next Monday and a massive crowd is expected to descend on the King Country.
It would be hard to find anyone who doesn't have a Colin Meads story in the small town of less than five thousand.
Waitomo District Mayor Brian Haas said the town was proud to say he was a Te Kuiti-proud farmer and wonderful family man who would be missed.
It was at Waitete Rugby Club Bud Snowden grew up with his mate, who said they'd known each other through their families who were very connected.
They played together, drank together and toured South Africa.
While Sir Colin became a household name, his mate reckons stardom changed nothing.
"He's only 'one of us'. He was Colin Meads. You didn't say he was "Colin Meads" and All Black and things, he was just "tree" to the rest of us."
Sir Colin dedicated years as a rugby administrator and helped raise millions for the IHC foundation.
Waitete Club President Jason Church said he never asked for anything in return.
"There are numerous occasions he's spoken for organisations and hasn't charged."
Sir Colins funeral will be held at the Les Munro centre in Te Kuiti and while it's the biggest community centre in town it might not be big enough to hold the large amount of people expected to attend.
Mayor Haas said they want to remember and pay homage to what he had done not only for Te Kuiti, but for New Zealand.
Dignitaries, politicians, and rugby greats will attend the service, but so will his friends who simply knew him as "tree".
Newshub.
