New Zealand captain Richie McCaw has refused to call time on his glittering career after becoming the first man to skipper a side to two Rugby World Cup triumphs.
McCaw, in his 148th appearance for the All Blacks, was expected to announce he was hanging up his boots in the wake of the 34-17 victory over the Wallabies at Twickenham.
But the 34-year-old, who made his international debut in 2001, was non-committal about his future plans after the proudest day of his career.
Instead the only three-time world player of the year preferred to bask in the glory and let teammates savour the moment.
“I still don’t want to think about it,” McCaw said.
“Look at the moment, I am still proud of this team.
“I am going to enjoy today. How could you get enough of this?
“We will worry about that after today. I just want to enjoy having played a wonderful World Cup final here with a great bunch of men.
“I am so proud of having been able to wear this jersey again today. I don’t think you ever have enough of it. If you get moments like this, why would you ever call it a day?”
McCaw said the All Blacks had to use all of their experience and composure to withstand an inspired second half from the Wallabies after fullback Ben Smith was sin-binned.
“I knew the momentum was against us,” he said.
“But we have been in those situations before and it’s a matter of not panicking and doing the simple things.
“We played some damn good rugby there. We lost a bit of momentum in the second half, but we kept our composure.
“We came home strong which has been the mark of this team for the past four years.
“We said four years ago after the last one that we’ll get on the road again and with this being the end goal, playing at Twickenham in a World Cup final, to try and do something no one else has done.”
Ronaldo
Guest
He can do a "Federer" & keep going on a restricted schedule until the 2019 WC in Japan & then get selected in the world team as a 7 again after blowing everybody away once more …. can't he? He will only be 38 then … same age as Victor Matfield is now. Or will he become PM or GG? Hope he tells us soon. The suspense is killing me.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
G'day TM, Hansen has hinted .... but if he enjoys the 're-buiidng' or should I say "continued re-building" of the AB's post 2015, he just might find it a bit tough to 'give it away' with only 2 years after the Lions tour to the next RWC to give it away. His job will get tougher of course but he does not have to physically do what he preaches .. so if he chose to stay on, it would be OK by me. A former AB who organises our tickets in NZ gave us an insight of Shag before he was named as head coach post 2011. His loyalty to players is a very strong attribute and repaid by the players. Anyhow if he does give it away in 2017, the person who I would like to see take on the job i Wayne Smith. I think he is a master at his job. Not about Foster, he has been there for 4 years but for some reason, he still does not resonate with me... I am probably doing him an injustice and I should not be so critical but he did nothing for the Chiefs while there .. it too Rennie to move them up a level. Then again, some make great 2nd in command but fail in the head job. Better men that us will make that decision in due course. Of the ones touted including the NH based guys, I think Rennie and Gatland would be the best fit but that is my opinion only.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Hi rugby...here's one for you. Hansen has hinted at ending after 2017. Do you think this is a potential start of the new coach draft. It's a perfect time to handover to a NH based coach after the Lions tour. Hansen will need to some more big time recruiting to align with the next a World Cup. Gatland, Schmidt being the most likely two from up there. At home? Rennie, Joseph or one of the current coaches? I think I've mellowed on Gatland and could see him in this role_ gulp! What do you think?
Rah
Guest
I hope he doesn't do that Mike. Once retired he should stay there. Seen too many classy pro boxers come out of retirement and get pumbled by the young guns. SA did not need the great warrior Victor Matfield to come back to the paddock. I thought he could have been more value on the coaches team
Rah
Guest
Thanks Atlas. The scoreboard reflects those stats.
Rah
Guest
I'd like to see him go out against our old foe from across the ditch in a game at home in CHCH. That would be fitting.
Mike Julz
Guest
I bet ya, the Lions tour in two years time will be his swan song for the jersey. I'll say he'll probably have semi retirement next year, and then come 2017, Steve Hansen would recall him out of retirement to play one last time for All Blacks against the Lions, and then retire all together from rugby.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
I dare ya Richie ... I dare ya Richie, I dare ya Richie to lead the AB's to the Threepeat in the Land of the Rising Sun, you will not be 40 even!! ... *grinning*
Iaian
Guest
I think he has more to give, lets be honest he wont make another rwc, but he can still play rugga good enough to stay on for another 2 plus years. Thing is you have alot of young guns and that is the only counter argument. Nice position to be in, indeed.
Shrink
Guest
Yep....playing a totally different game
DelaNightmares
Guest
Telling stats
atlas
Guest
McCaw made 11 caries, gaining 34m Pocock, apart from kicking McCaw in the head, made two, yes 2, metres from his 9 carries McCaw made 10 successful tackles from 11 Pocock 11 from 11 New Zealand's loose forwards McCaw, Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read made 26 of 30 tackles, compared to 25 of 32 by Pocock, Michael Hooper and Scott Fardy. While Pocock stood out in the turnover battle, with three, his team were outdone 9-8 by the All Blacks in that area of the game. The Australian loose forwards made a combined 14 running metres, New Zealand's group combined for a whopping 89 running metres
Rabbits
Guest
McCaw was just as good if not better than Pocock in the final. Proves his legendary status and could probably play another two or three seasons for the All Blacks. He's that good.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah that's what I reckon. Exempt him from SXV as he needs the break and he could play a couple of club matches leading up to the tour. He could go out on NZ soil as a departure for Kiwi's.
WQ
Guest
Richie McCaw has played his last Test, he is just showing once again that the Team and the Jersey are more important than him. I wish it not the case because I would love to see him be the first player to play 150 Test's and to also be the first Captain to have 100 Test wins. To do those things however he needs to put in another Super Rugby season and I think he's finished with that! Once the celebrations are over he will retire.
CA3ZAR
Roar Pro
I do think this is his last test I just think he didn't want to move attention on him, being the humble dude he is
richard
Guest
Let McCaw play the first test v Wales next year to claim his 150th cap.Then,let him retire if that is his wish.
JeffRo
Roar Pro
He isn't playing for the All Blacks or the crusaders again, crusaders squad is named, he isn't in it. Maybe just trying to not be the focus. I would love to see him play club rugby and play a season for North Otago. As a fan, I will really miss seeing him play. He seemed to be the sum of all All Blacks, hard, humble, a loose forward and great.
RugbyFan
Guest
McCaw was great today, I think he and Nonu have been absolutely outstanding for the All Blacks this year in particular. Probably one of the greatest Captain's in any sport and definitely the greatest All Black to ever put on the jersey. Up there with the greats of Rugby, I personally won't say he's GOAT, not yet anyway I think that's a dam tough call in the game of Rugby as it is the greatest TEAM sport in the world and every player works in union with the other. Maybe when he officially calls it a day people can look back and decide. If he's still got some go in his legs and thinks he can go on why not? Though I'm betting he'll probably call it a day.