McCaw brought the curtain down on his glittering career on Thursday after 148 Tests for New Zealand – captaining the reigning world champions on a record 110 occasions.
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“He was an inspirational man, not only in the rugby world where his achievements speak for themselves, but also as an inspirational person in his own right”.
The 34-year-old’s decision comes just three weeks after he guided his country to a second consecutive World Cup victory, with the 2015 final at Twickenham marking the end of a 148 Test career.
“He revolutionised the game of rugby union to show that big loose forwards and flankers could actually play in a multiple of positions”. “I’m pretty proud to have performed at a level that was reasonably good”.
McCaw recalled New Zealand’s tour of Britain and Ireland in 2001, which highlighted Lomu’s global status. He said he would now be concentrating on his business, personal sponsorship and charity interests.
Recently-retired New Zealand star Richie McCaw pays tribute to the “amazing” Jonah Lomu, who died this week at the age of 40.
Of the 17 nations he played against during a 14-year worldwide career, McCaw ended up on the losing team against just four – England, South Africa, Australia and France – while he experienced Test match defeat only twice on New Zealand soil from 61 appearances.
And Sale Sharks player Danny Cipriani said: “Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen are the reason I picked up a rugby ball – JL was a legend and a true inspiration who kept fighting”. “Aviation is something I’m passionate about, I’m going to carry on flying and work towards getting my commercial pilot licence”, he said. That’s unheard of. You put your body on the line every time you play there.
He said: “I’d heard a little bit about him before the tournament but like all these things, you wonder if the hype is backed up by the reality – and it was”.
“In 1995 at that Rugby World Cup, the things that Jonah achieved raised a few eyebrows of a few people who had a significant amount of money, and that was the point where the game was about to be lost”, said Tew.
“Richie has been the most influential player of his generation, if not of all time”, he said.
“He was a great man and a great All Black”.
“Losing Richie, they’ll lose an aura around him and that leadership, which is very hard to replace”, Waugh said.
Instead, the world’s most successful rugby player intends to become a commercial helicopter pilot.
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“I have to say, I’m hugely excited about closing that chapter and looking forward to the future”.
