It was widely expected that the 34-year-old would call time on his career after the World Cup, but he refused to comment on his future during the tournament and seemed to be in two minds after the final.
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Not only has McCaw won a staggering 130 of his 148 Tests for New Zealand, only four players in history have played as many games as McCaw has worldwide victories.
“He was the first superstar player and, through his sheer brilliance and love of the game, he brought much joy to the rugby family and took our sport to a new level of profile” – World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset.
They do not retire shirt numbers in New Zealand. Jonah wasn’t an ordinary player, he broke records and he set standards for others.
“I might start thinking about “last this”, “last that” and maybe whether I did all the things I needed to do to play my best”. One of the All Blacks greatest players was also one of the sports most intimidating.
It is late 1999, I am – amongst many other New Zealanders – still reeling from a shock upset to the French in the RWC semi-final. His playing statistics tell the story, but Richie has also made a very significant contribution off the field as well, in his decade-plus career in New Zealand rugby. Only Dan Carter has won the award as many times. He leaves a legacy, that will always protect his stature as one of the greatest Rugby player to have ever graced the game.
Now McCaw says he will work towards obtaining his commercial pilot licence aswell as continuing his business and charity work.
Farewells are being planned for Lomu, both in Tonga and New Zealand.
Rugby World Cup 1995 New Zealand vs Ireland Jonah Lomu ©INPHO/Billy Stickland Jonah Lomu is tackled by Gary Longwell of Ireland Mandatory Credit©INPHO/Billy Stickland Ireland v Barbarians.
Even Moses, with that incredible 122-race winning streak, was conscious long after hanging up his spikes that his true quality had gone underappreciated, per this quote he gave to the Guardian in 2003, a few 15 years after his Olympic swansong in Seoul: “Maybe in the years to come, people will understand the things I have accomplished and realise, “Wow, this guy was really something”. How do I begin to do justice to an individual that changed the face of our great game forever and did so with such a gracious temperament and honour? “We would like to wish him well for the next chapters in his life”. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images) His global career ended in 2002 and t he following year he spent the first of many hours receiving kidney dialysis treatment.
(CNN)After 148 caps, arguably New Zealand’s finest player is calling time on a hugely successful career.
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As a Kiwi looking at the prospects for 2016, I have faith Steve Hansen and co. won’t have an extreme problem, as people are making the exodus of All Black greats out to be.
