Rugby: Richie McCaw named World Rugby's Player of the Decade

Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has been named World Rugby's Men's Player of the Decade.

The double-World Cup winner faced stiff opposition for the gong from the likes of fellow All Blacks Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick as well as former French skipper Thierry Dusatoir and Ireland first-five Johnny Sexton.

McCaw finished his career in 2015 following the successful defence of New Zealand's World Cup crown.

McCaw was also named in the Men's Team of the Decade, along with several of his former teammates.

Owen Franks, Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Carter, Ma'a Nonu and Ben Smith were also named in the 15-man selection.

Black Ferns star Portia Woodman was named Women's Sevens Player of the Decade, while also being selected in the Women's Team of the Decade.

She was joined by former national skipper Fiao'o Fa'amausili, current skipper Eloise Blackwell, Linda Itunu, Kendra Cocksedge and Kelly Brazier.

Woodman was also nominated for Women's XVs Player of the Decade, but missed out to French great Jessy Tremouliere, but she did win the Try of the Decade award for her stunning effort against the United States in 2017.

Results

Men's XVs Player of the Decade: Richie McCaw (New Zeland)
Women's XVs Player of the Decade: Jessy Tremouliere (France)
Men's Sevens Player of the Deacde: Jerry Tuwai (Fiji)
Women's Sevens Player of the Deacde: Portia Woodman (New Zealand)
Men's XVs Try of the Deacde: Jamie Heaslip (Ireland) 
Women's XVs Try of the Decade: Portia Woodman (New Zealand)

Men's XVs Team of the Deacde: 1-Tendai Mtawarira (SA), 2-Mismarck Du Plessis (SA), 3-Owen Franks (NZ), 4-Brodie Retallick (NZ), 5-Sam Whitelock (NZ), 6-David Pocock (AUS), 7-Richie McCaw (NZ), 8-Sergio Parisse (ITA), 9-Conor Murray (IRE), 10-Dan Carter (NZ), 11-Bryan Habana (SA), 12-Ma'a Nonu (NZ), 13-Brian O'Driscoll (IRE), 14-George North (WAL), 15-Ben Smith (NZ) 

Women's XVs Team of the Decade: 1-Rochelle Clark (ENG), 2-Fiao'o Fa'amasuisli (NZ), 3-Sophie Hemming (ENG), 4-Eloise Blackwell (NZ), 5-Tamara Taylor (ENG), 6-Linda Itunu (NZ_, 7-Maggie Alphonsi (ENG), 8-Safi N'Diaye (FRA), 9-Kendra Cocksedge (NZ), 10-Katy Daley-McLean (ENG), 11-Portia Woodman (NZ), 12-Kelly Brazier (NZ), 13-Emily Scarratt (ENG), 14-Lydia Thompson (ENG), 15-Danielle Waterman (ENG)