Wynne Gray's 50 greatest rugby moments: No.13

All Blacks Captain Richie McCaw celebrates his 100th test. Photo / Richard Robinson

Some things just feel right and that sentiment surged around Eden Park as All Black captain Richie McCaw became the first to play 100 tests in the famous black jersey during the 2011 World Cup.

He'd had a false start when a calf strain stopped him playing Japan in the preceding match and it seemed more appropriate that McCaw reached his milestone match in front of a capacity crowd at Eden Park.

After an ailing Jock Hobbs presented McCaw with a special commemorative cap, the All Black captain almost dropped the microphone before delivering an emotional speech of gratitude for his fortune and the many who had helped him on his way to the top.

He had treasured every single minute of those tests from his debut against Ireland at Lansdowne Rd and loved his work as much as he did as a novice.

One day as a teenager waiting for a meal at a fast-food restaurant, an uncle persuaded him to map out the path he wanted to take to the All Blacks.

An uncomfortable McCaw tried to keep his voice down as his uncle got more animated.

He asked McCaw to sign off the list with Great All Black as his ultimate goal but the teenager demurred and wrote G.A.B, hurriedly stuck the note in his pocket and pinned it, out of sight, deep inside a cupboard in his bedroom.

Since that 2001 test debut, McCaw delivered on his G.A.B ambition.

We'd all seen and marvelled at those exploits, we'd walked with McCaw through a decade of test rugby in 2011 when he reached that 100 test milestone yet didn't know much more about him than he was prepared to share.

We got more of an insight in his book where author Greg McGee wrote in the foreword that McCaw was the ultimate professional still driven by his passion for the sport.

"He's driven by an elemental fierce joy for the conflict, yet has sought out an understanding of the psychological underpinnings of behaviour and motivation," McGee said.