From Bobby Moore to Richie McCaw... who is the best captain in the history of sport? Sportsmail's experts have their say

  • Richie McCaw is hoping to become the first captain to retain World Cup
  • Bobby Moore led England to their only football World Cup victory in 1966 
  • Martin Johnson, Nasser Hussain and Bryan Robson were also successful in their respective sports  

As New Zealand's Richie McCaw bids to become the first Rugby World Cup captain to win the prestigious Webb Ellis Cup at successive tournaments, Sportsmail takes a look at the greatest ever leaders across all sports. 

From Bobby Moore to Martin Johnson, our experts make a case for who they think is the greatest sporting captain.  

 

JEFF POWELL - Bobby Moore

Who else but my mate? England's only World Cup winning captain, who led by example, inspired by performance and commanded respect by dignity.

Then-England captain Bobby Moore lifts the World Cup following his side's victory over West Germany

Then-England captain Bobby Moore lifts the World Cup following his side's victory over West Germany

 

SAM PETERS - Martin Johnson

England's greatest ever captain was a colossus in every sense. His performance in the 2003 World Cup final - which proved his last ever international appearance - was faultless in every sense. Struck fear into opponents through his physical prowess and technical excellence. An equally good Lions captain.

Martin Johnson raises the Webb Ellis Cup in the air following England's World Cup final win over Australia

Martin Johnson raises the Webb Ellis Cup in the air following England's World Cup final win over Australia

 

PAUL NEWMAN - Nasser Hussain

Hussain is simply the most significant England cricket captain in modern memory. He took over when they were the worst team in the Test world in 1999 and, with Duncan Fletcher, began the revolution that eventually led to the fabled 2005 Ashes success. He also had the courage to stand up to the ECB and ICC and refuse to play in Zimbabwe during the 2003 World Cup for moral reasons. That took guts and principles.

Nasser Hussain talks tactics with his bowler Andrew Caddick during a cricket match against Australia

Nasser Hussain talks tactics with his bowler Andrew Caddick during a cricket match against Australia

 

DOMINIC KING - Tony Jacklin

The Ryder Cup is one of the greatest sporting events in the world and Jacklin oversaw a period when American dominance was the norm to revitalise European golf. The memories of Sam Torrance with his arms outstretched at The Belfry in 1985, Jose Maria Olzabal dancing on a green in Muirfield in 1987 and Christy O'Connor Jnr firing a two-iron into the 18th back at the Belfry in 1989 are some of my most vivid sporting memories from childhood and Jacklin was the inspiration behind them all. A tough question considering the candidates - Bobby Moore, Martin Johnson to name just two - but Jacklin gets the vote.

English golfer Tony Jacklin helped to revitalise European golf at the Ryder Cup in 1987 and 1989

English golfer Tony Jacklin helped to revitalise European golf at the Ryder Cup in 1987 and 1989

 

MATT BARLOW - Bryan Robson

The captain in football rarely has the tactical responsibilities of his counterparts in cricket or rugby but Robson was for years at Manchester United and England the swashbuckling hero and heartbeat of the team. His was a fearless style of leadership, charging again into battle, dragging others with him by force of personality, collecting injuries and grabbing goals to influence games.

Bryan Robson (left, pictured with Diego Maradona) led both Manchester United and England with distinction 

Bryan Robson (left, pictured with Diego Maradona) led both Manchester United and England with distinction 

 

JONATHAN McEVOY - Douglas Jardine

England's inspirational captain in the Bodyline series of 1932-33. Told that he had been booed all day by the partisans on the hill at Sydney, he replied: 'Well, the feeling is f***ing mutual. It was typical of the asperity brought to the task by the eagle-nosed, silk choker-wearing, harlequin-capped leader.

Douglas Jardine captained England in the 1930s - he died at the age of 57 in June 1958

Douglas Jardine captained England in the 1930s - he died at the age of 57 in June 1958

 

MIKE KEEGAN - Michael Vaughan

Forgetting the fact he is a Lancastrian who pretends he is from Yorkshire, Vaughan's achievements while captaining an England side full of diverse characters was one of the greatest feats in the history of sports leadership. To create harmony in a dressing room featuring the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison and to then break an 18-year Ashes duck against the 2005 Australians, one of the greatest cricket teams to have ever played the game, was astonishing.

Michael Vaughan (centre, pictured at the Oval) celebrates after helping England win the Ashes in 2005

Michael Vaughan (centre, pictured at the Oval) celebrates after helping England win the Ashes in 2005

 

CHRIS WHEELER - Martin Johnson

There are captains who simply lead a team and captains who inspire. Johnson embodied the latter, a towering figure in every sense who led England’s World Cup winners from the front and never gave the opposition an inch. The greatest captain of his generation, in an sport.

Johnson kisses the Webb Ellis Cup after helping England defeat Australia in the 2003 World Cup final 

Johnson kisses the Webb Ellis Cup after helping England defeat Australia in the 2003 World Cup final 

 

JOE BERNSTEIN - Mike Brearley

Tactically astute, cool under pressure, terrific judgement and most importantly could squeeze the absolute maximum out of his players, most notably Ian Botham and Bob Willis. England's Test side was in disarray when he was named as skipper, a few months later they had pulled off one of the most legendary victories in the history of British sport, the 1981 Ashes against Australia.

England cricket captain Mike Brearley poses at Lord's after receiving his OBE at Buckingham Palace in 1978

England cricket captain Mike Brearley poses at Lord's after receiving his OBE at Buckingham Palace in 1978

 

MIKE ANSTEAD - Richie McCaw

Here's a staggering statistic: McCaw has played in 32 per cent of the All Blacks' 412 victories since 1903. Then you consider he's dragged a team in disarray to the summit of their sport while playing some of the finest rugby we've ever witnessed. Yes, he's pushed the boundaries with refs at times (well, pretty much all of the time) - but, for me, he just pips Martin Johnson in terms of who you'd want to lead your team out of the tunnel. 

Richie McCaw is hoping to become the first  captain to win the Webb Ellis Cup at successive tournaments

Richie McCaw is hoping to become the first  captain to win the Webb Ellis Cup at successive tournaments

 

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