Watch Chasing Great: The Richie McCaw Story

Chasing Great: The Richie McCaw Story is an inspiring and emotional documentary about the life and career of one of the most iconic rugby players of all time, Richie McCaw. The film, released in 2016, follows the former New Zealand captain on his journey towards his ultimate goal: winning back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles. The documentary, directed by Justin Pemberton and Michelle Walshe, is a mix of never-before-seen footage, interviews with McCaw's family, friends, coaches, and teammates, and personal reflections by the man himself. The result is a captivating and intimate portrait of a determined and humble athlete who became a legend in his sport and a national hero in his country.

The story begins with McCaw's childhood in small-town New Zealand, where he grew up on a farm with his parents and three siblings. From an early age, McCaw showed a natural talent and passion for rugby, a sport that was deeply ingrained in his family's culture. He played for his school team and later for his provincial team, Canterbury, before being selected for the national team, the All Blacks, at the age of 20.

The film then traces McCaw's career as a professional rugby player, from his early struggles with injuries and doubts about his own abilities, to his rise as a leader and a dominant force on the field. Through interviews with his coaches and teammates, we see how McCaw's work ethic, his discipline, and his mental toughness helped him become the best in the world at his position, a flanker known for his relentless tackling, his ball-carrying skills, and his ability to read the game.

But Chasing Great is not just a movie about rugby. It's also a movie about the price of success, the sacrifices that athletes must make to achieve their goals, and the toll that it can take on their personal lives. The film delves into McCaw's relationships with his family, his girlfriend, and his teammates, showing how he struggled to balance his love for rugby with his need for a sense of normalcy and privacy.

In one of the most powerful scenes of the film, we see McCaw reflecting on the 2011 World Cup final, a game that he played with a broken foot and that he says was the most painful and most emotional moment of his career. We see how he pushed himself to the limit, how he inspired his teammates, and how he led his country to victory, becoming the first captain to hoist the trophy twice in a row four years later.

Chasing Great also offers a candid look at McCaw's retirement from rugby, a moment that he describes as both liberating and daunting. We see him traveling the world, exploring new hobbies, and reconnecting with his family and his roots. And we see him struggling to come to terms with the idea of no longer being a rugby player, a role that had defined him for so many years.

Throughout the film, McCaw's humility, his integrity, and his grace shine through. He is a man who never sought the spotlight, who never let his success go to his head, and who always put his team first. He is a man who embodies the spirit of rugby, a sport that values not just athleticism but also sportsmanship, respect, and camaraderie.

In the end, Chasing Great is a tribute to McCaw's legacy, not just as a rugby player but as a human being. It's a movie that will inspire anyone who has ever faced adversity, anyone who has ever pursued a dream, and anyone who has ever wondered what it takes to be truly great.