All Blacks legend Richie McCaw has announced his retirement from rugby union at the age of 34.
After breaking numerous records, winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups, four Super Rugby competitions, and captaining his province and country, the New Zealand captain will exit the game for good.
McCaw leaves as the most capped international footballer of all time, the most capped captain of all time, the player with the most victories in international rugby, as well as the aforementioned four Super Rugby championships and two Rugby World Cup victories – both as captain.
He was offered a knighthood after the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but turned down the honour, saying it was something he wouldn’t consider while he was still playing.
A three-time World Rugby player of the year, McCaw is the first person in rugby history to achieve 100 international caps as captain.
His winning percentage in international rugby is 88.51 per cent, with 131 wins from 148 games.
He is also widely considered to be the greatest player to play the game.
The Rugby World Cup final of 2015, against Australia, will be his final game of rugby, where he and the All Blacks stamped their authority on the tournament, becoming the first team to hoist the trophy twice in a row.
After the game, McCaw didn’t hint at retirement, but he has today confirmed what has been widely speculated for some time by exiting the game he entered in 1999.
He made his debut for the Crusaders and All Blacks in 2001, and was appointed New Zealand captain in 2006. It’s a position he has held ever since, though he did vacate the Crusaders captaincy to Kieran Read later in his career.
McCaw’s style of play redefined what an openside flanker was expected to do. Equally powerful over the ball and running with it, he was a true all-rounder, capable of playing in the number 6 jersey and jumping in the lineout. Over the years, he developed a linking and passing game which provided many highlights.
A typically humble McCaw paid his respects to the recently departed Jonah Lomu at the beginning of his press conference.
McCaw said that he didn’t retire immediately after the Rugby World Cup final to keep the All Blacks team in focus after their victory. He said he didn’t have any desire to allow an individual overshadow the team’s achievement.
His next move? McCaw revealed he plans to become a commercial helicopter pilot in Christchurch.
McCaw was understated in his recollection of his achievements on the field.
“I’m going to be hanging up my boots – it’s the end of my rugby days,” he told media in Wellington.
“Deep down I didn’t want it to end.
“I’ve been able to do what I love and that’s what I have done over the past 15 years.
“The last memory is a pretty good one.
“I knew with the World Cup there are no in-betweens. I wanted to make it about the team and not individuals.
“I’m hanging up my boots having accomplished everything I could have ever dreamed about in the game. Knowing that I was able to end my career by helping the All Blacks win the Rugby World Cup final is a hugely satisfying feeling.”
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said McCaw was going out on top, and at the right time:
“Richie couldn’t have picked a better time. He went out on his own terms. Well done mate.”
Former Wallaby Phil Waugh paid tribute to McCaw’s wonderful career.
“You can just see the bruises, the scars that he wears,” Waugh, who played for Australia between 2000-09, said on Fox Sports.
“He came onto the scene a pretty fresh-faced young New Zealander and he finishes with such an outstanding record.
“I do think he’s the best rugby player of all time.
“He’s won more trophies and medals than any other player.
“He gets on very well with the referees… that was an art. He’s just a very, very smart player,” said Waugh.
“Richie just understood the game very well.
“He always knew exactly where the ball was going to be and he would be the first one there.
“Losing Richie, they’ll lose an aura around him and that leadership, which is very difficult to replace.”
Congratulations to Richie McCaw on a wonderful career in rugby.
Chris Guy
Guest
Doesn't compare to the 2 times he raised the RWC above his head. Those were my favourite moments.
WQ
Guest
Well I guess the inevitable has happened and even Richie has had to bow to Father Time! His stats will stand the test of time, we have been fortunate enough to watch a Legend play the game. Thank you Rugby Gods for allowing Richie McCaw to be an All Black!
Chivas
Guest
And I'm not comparing Duane to Paul Henderson, just comparing over the ball style players. Monkley wasn't strong over the ball as the Mooloos had seven others which were and he could link but he wasn't the line out exponent or athlete Jones was. I also would have Monkley over Liam or Hooper :-)
Chivas
Guest
I agree with your analogy Jerry, but I'd have Duane over Phil any day and maybe twice on Sunday's when MJ wasn't available :-). Also one thing the iceman and Monkley had in common was an offensive defence. I have many wonderful memories from both of these players. Like Lindsay I have a soft spot for Duane because he wore the red, yellow and black with pride and respect from his first game to his last. A bit like Richie in the AB jersey :-)
Chivas
Guest
I disagree about Buck. I saw him monster forward packs and was every bit as important to the mooloo men as Duane was. Buck played one game very early in his career for the baby Blacks never to play again. And he went on to perform better and bigger as his career evolved. And Monkley was no McCaw either in terms of scavengers and over the ball players, Henderson was superior to Duane. As I started I think Monkley was a Mooloo legend as were John Mitchell, Buck Anderson, Bam Bam Koteka etc. but I don't think he was superior to Jones or would I have replaced Jones with Monkley. Waikato were a forward dominated team who could physically muscle up to and overpower most tight fives in NZ. Remember Mitch only got the token AB call up to lead the midweek AB's at the end of his career as a mark of respect. And Mitch not taking the field (like when he broke his leg) weakened the team at least as much as the times Duane was unavailable, more so if you count his leadership :-). When Buck Anderson retired, fortunately we had Royce, then he struggled with injury, before coming right the fleeing to Japan. Point is there have been a few legendary mooloo men, who I would have liked to see play a bit more in the black. Aaron Hopa (may he RIP) is another. But I just can't see how you could argue that Monkley had rights to the jersey over Michael Jones. But for a fact he wouldn't have discredited it. As to being asked to play a different game in the trial. I believe he played a wider game, as would have been requested based on the forward pack selected. It wasn't because they were looking to turn Duane into another Michael Jones but to see how he could link and play in a team with a more mobile forward pack who used their backs... And for the record he didn't embarrass himself in that trial either.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Well put AussieinNZ. That is why so many of us love this game more than others. There is talent and character in all, but there's something about rugby that tests, develops and celebrates character uniquely. Congratulations to Richie on the greatest career a rugby man could create. Definitely without peer.
AussieinNZ
Guest
As Steve Hansen said at the press conference when Richie started with the ABs he couldn't pass or run with the ball but was still great. He has got better at those skills over the years but certainly there are flankers who are better. His true greatness has been his focus, toughness, fitness and determination that all goes to prove that ultimately the true test of great rugby players is that of character.
Lindsay Amner
Roar Guru
Yes but Buck did make the ABs albeit for only 1 game. He also wasn't as dominant as Monkley was in provincial rugby. In the All Black trial Monkley was apparently asked to play a different game from what he normally did and was not able to do it effectively, so was instantly discarded. Jones - an unbelieveable althlete, ball carrier extraordinaire, was the bench mark and Monkely as a terrier tackler and breakdown master with a nose for the ball, more in the McCaw mold, was a different beast altogether. The All Black selectors wanted another Michael Jones and Monkleywasn't it. A shame really, as he could have been a great back up, or in today's game, an impact player to come on and play a different way at the end of games.
Lindsay Amner
Roar Guru
Agreed Jones was the master, but Monkley certainly had games where he outplayed the master. He also played on Sunday so should have got more of a run.
Jerry
Guest
I imagine it'd be the 92 NPC semi and the following year when Waikato took the Shield. I've not checked to see if both played in those matches, but the timing would be right. But Monkley - as good a player as he was - was nowhere near Jones. A comparison for me would be Phil Waugh and George Smith. One was a tough bloke, a battler and a great player, the other was just in another class altogether.
Chivas
Guest
What were these momentous occasions. I think I saw most of Duane's games for the mighty Mooloos. I remember Duane getting an AB trial, and when given the opportunity, fail to dominate and demand selection. And don't get me wrong. He was unfortunate to be born in an era when we had some great sevens, one of them being Michael Jones. Michael Jones on the other hand demanded selection with how he destroyed teams and made the highlights every weekend. When he first got picked for Auckland he lit up the place and every weekend after. Before Lomu, Jones and Kirwan were the first I had ever seen do that. Finally if you are going to claim hard luck for Monkley, I would say as strong a case and more so could be made for Buck Anderson.
skirttheissue
Guest
+1,000,000 Kohatu - kia ora ! Haven't we been so privileged to tag along for the ride.......blessed in fact ! Tumeke ! :)
skirttheissue
Guest
:) :) .... of course you can Chivas.....
Duncan
Guest
Surely you can't be serious!
watcher
Guest
The two biggest names leaving the game. One so sadly, the other at the height of his powers. Both are, and will remain legends. I feel privileged when I think I saw both play. I also saw Meads, Jones, Umaga, Cullen and others. I also got to play against Ian Kirkpatrick, still an honour fondly remembered. For Ritchie to be the greatest AB is a hell of an honour when you consider who have pulled on that black jersey. It is hard to argue against, although I am more comfortable with 'one of the greatest' title, it is a team game and although it sometimes looked like it. This AB team was not just Ritchie, although his influence was undeniable. Like Jonah as a Wing, he redefined his position as a 7. Although often regarded as a cheat, which is a pre-requisite for any 7 CV, a lot of the time when called by commentators he was shown to be within the laws more often than not. Sam Cain has big boots to fill. Here is a thought, would Pocock and Hooper be the players they are if McCaw hadn't been on the scene.
Jerry
Guest
Monkley was a great player, and if he'd played in the pro era he'd have picked up a few caps for sure. But on a par with the Iceman? Nope. Wash your mouth out.
Lindsay Amner
Roar Guru
Nope Duane Monkley has that honour all to himself. On a par with Michael Jones at times, outplayed him on several momentous occasions but never played for the All Blacks.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
He's certainly in the argument... but there is definitely an argument to be had. I can't agree that Dan Carter is head and shoulders above all other fly-halves in the history of the game. Just... no.
Riccardo
Guest
A fine list of names Johnno. I had to look some of them up. I would respectfully add Juan Manuel Fangio to Senna's name in Tier 1 But the greatest omission here is the greatest of all - ALI
Zero Gain
Guest
Sorry, great rugby player, but no way that I am getting in any helocopter that Richie is piloting.