Kronfeld not joining debate for the best No7

Josh Kronfeld is not bitter about Steve Hansen lauding Richie McCaw as the All Blacks' greatest openside flanker.

Steamy issue: New Zealand legend Josh Kronfeld refutes claims Richie McCaw is the All Blacks' greatest No7.
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DUBAI // Josh Kronfeld is not bitter about missing out when the All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen nominated Richie McCaw as New Zealand's greatest openside flanker earlier this week. But he does not agree. Lamenting the loss of the star No7 McCaw in the build-up to tomorrow's Tri-Nations tie with South Africa, Hansen said: "Michael Jones and Josh Kronfeld were world-class and this guy [McCaw] probably heads them off.

"It is not only his longevity, he is a good link player, a good ground player like Kronfeld was and is just a complete athlete - he can do anything." Comparisons are said to be odious, and Kronfeld is not sure McCaw can rightly be judged better than his own mentor, the legend Jones. "It is an impossibility judging who is the best No7 ever," said Kronfeld. "They said Michael Jones was the best they ever saw.

"Everyone has their little place in history for what they did and how they did it. I know, when I was top dog, they were saying things like that as well, but it just doesn't work like that. "You won the jersey for a little moment in history and you do your best by it. "Making comparisons is a waste of time. How do you figure injuries? "Michael Jones had two full-on injuries in his career. Without that, would he have been an even bigger player than he already was?

"Even myself: I had a total reconstruction at the age of 25. I should have been peaking then. Richie hasn't had any major injuries. Those things all play a part in that game people like to play in picking the greatest. "I'm sure there are probably a few 80-year-olds picking players out from their era. "I saw one of the best in the world at the time, and he was amazing to watch. That is the way to look at it."

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