Hugh McGahan: A great leader? Look at Richie

Richie McCaw. Photo / Doug Sherring

The role of a captain goes way beyond the tossing of the coin. The impact leaders have on a team can vary from individual characteristics to playing dynamics and their responses under pressure, to each leader's role within the team.

Looking at some captains within this competition, it's easy to see how each is different. Firstly, each captain is viewed as being good enough to be playing each week on ability alone. They lead by example but are required to be consistent in their performance; hence high-risk players performing low percentage plays should not be cast in this position.

That type of player will be seen as freakish, with the ability to turn a game on its head, but can easily earn the wrath of coaches, fans and team-mates when those same high-risk plays turn sour.

It would be interesting to know the decision behind relinquishing Luke Lewis at the Penrith Panthers of the captaincy. It was simple to see why he was originally handed the role, given his standing in the club and his performances over time. To strip him of the title leads us to think his leadership off the field was found wanting.

Look at Paul Gallen, revered in the game today, but go back a couple of years and his public image was awful. 'Thug' and 'grub' were two words that consistently followed him.

Nathan Hindmarsh is a great example of "I won't give up". The commitment to each performance builds a cult following and fans love players of this ilk.

Look at the captains for today's Warriors fixture and you see contrasting styles - with Simon Mannering being the conservative, no risk, high-performing individual whose leadership is quiet but direct. He impresses with the amount of kilometres he covers in a game.

He is trustworthy and dependable.

In the other camp, Cameron Smith is astute in his scheming, graceful in his delivery and charismatic in his demeanour, not to mention his skill and deceiving strength levels.

I had dinner with Craig Bellamy on Friday and we spoke of leadership. Besides his own leader, the one who has stood out for him is Richie McCaw. Craig has worked with the All Blacks on a few occasions; he described the qualities I have mentioned as evident in McCaw.

He has never met a stronger personality in the captaincy role. One of McCaw's strong qualities is his engagement of people and the amount of time he invests in his team. It is evident it may not be skill or tactical knowledge but a culmination of human qualities that provide us with the best leadership.