Richie McCaw: New Zealand All Blacks Captain Announces His Retirement From Rugby
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw has declared his retirement after a glittering career.
The 34-year old flanker played a world record 148 Tests, 131 of them led the All Blacks to two World Cup final victories, and wins, including last month’s success against Australia.
McCaw is additionally a three-time victor of the World Player of the Year prize.
The news, anticipated for a while, comes 24 hours following the departure of iconic All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu.
Richie McCaw’s stellar career in numbers
148 The most number of Tests by any player in rugby union history. His 131 wins are also a record
110 A world record number of matches as captain
132 The number of players to make their All Blacks debut since McCaw’s first Test in 2001
2 McCaw lost just two Tests on home soil of the 61 he played in New Zealand
89 McCaw’s win percentage as captain
3 A hat-trick of World Player of the Year awards
“My ideas and condolences go to his lovely wife and two sons,” included McCaw, a former teammate of the giant winger.
To play him was amazing.
“There are plenty of folks round the world damaging at the loss of a great guy.”
McCaw, who intends to continue a job as a helicopter pilot, won 131 of his Evaluations and captained the All Blacks 110 times – both additionally all time world records.
“My last match was the World Cup final, so the ending of something that’s been a large part of my own life,” he said.
“The helicopter made no secret this year was likely going to be my last, but deep down I did not need to close the door completely. The helicopter was stressed by leaving that door open it did not feel final until now, the emotion might get to me in a World Cup year.
“It’s been a hell of a journey over the past 15 years. The door’ve been privileged to do what I love for such a long time. Here’s to new experiences.”
“We’ll miss him but he’s to choose the perfect time to really go and he’s done that,” said Hansen. “On the very top of the pile.”
source: via
