All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has been anointed the "most powerful" man in rugby by a British newspaper.

Prime Minister John Key wants All Blacks captain Richie McCaw to be knighted, now a British newspaper has anointed him the most powerful man in rugby.

The Daily Telegraph has produced a player and England-heavy list of the top 50 power-wielding individuals in rugby.

And at No 1 is the All Blacks No 7, ahead of great Irish centre Brian O'Driscoll and former England first five-eighth Jonny Wilkinson, whose extra time drop goal won the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

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McCaw was "arguably the greatest All Black of all time" the newspaper opined. He had played 142 tests with a remarkable win ratio of more than 90 per cent in his 105 tests as captain.

"Even in the twilight of his career, the flanker's relentless work-rate, courage and skill make him an absolutely critical cog in the All Black machine going into the 2015 tournament."

It didn't explain how that made him the most powerful man in rugby.

O'Driscoll scored No 2 "for almost singlehandedly revolutionising Irish rugby, transforming Ireland's fortunes from plucky losers to serial winners by the sheer weight of his midfield menace".

Ten New Zealanders made the top 50, with McCaw, Wales coach Warren Gatland and All Blacks coach Steve Hansen in the top 10.

THE MOST POWER PEOPLE IN RUGBY

(Daily Telegraph top 10)

1 Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

2. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)

3 Jonny Wilkinson (England)

4 Martin Johnson (England)

5 John Eales (Australia)

6 Warren Gatland (New Zealand/Wales)

7 Nick Farr-Jones (Australia)

8 Steve Hansen (New Zealand)

9 Sir Clive Woodward (England)

10 Francois Pienaar (South Africa)

NEW ZEALANDERS IN THE TOP 50

1 Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

6 Warren Gatland (New Zealand/Wales)

8 Steve Hansen (New Zealand)

11 Joe Schmidt (New Zealand/Ireland)

13 Sean Fitzpatrick

14 David Kirk

17 Jonah Lomu

19 Dan Carter

21 Kieran Read

34 Steve Tew