Richie McCaw always knew the ideal moment to attack the breakdown, to make a tackle or complete a pass. And the All Blacks skipper demonstrated his flawless sense of timing once again yesterday in announcing his retirement from rugby.
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But I have hope.
“The other thing I’m proud of is I played some of my best rugby in the last couple of weeks”.
“I remember watching the ’95 World Cup and remember it all being about getting the ball to Jonah”, he said.
There’s hope for a great pairing in Malakai Fekitoa (only 23) and Ryan Crotty.
(CNN)After 148 caps, arguably New Zealand’s finest player is calling time on a hugely successful career.
McCaw played first-class rugby from 1999 for Canterbury province, Super Rugby from 2001 for the Canterbury Crusaders, and played for the All Blacks from 2001, attending four World Cups.
“I’m going to be hanging up my boots”.
“Today, I thought about whether it was the right thing to do this”, said McCaw, who now is a former Kiwi winger.
To play 148 tests is something to be marveled at on its own, particularly with the physical demands of the position he plays.
“He cares greatly about the whole game and everyone involved in it. As an example, he was involved heavily in the collective bargaining process on behalf of the country’s professional players to ensure their interests were looked after”.
“Richie played against the Springboks 26 times we were on the receiving end of his ability 20 times – no player has beaten the Springboks more than him”.
Named World Player of the Year in 2009 and 2010, becoming the first player to win the award three times – a feat since matched by his team mate Dan Carter.
Richie McCaw said he was shocked by the sudden death of Jonah Lomu, a player whose superstar status was quickly rammed home to him on his first All Blacks tour.
It’s the end of the road for Richie McCaw, the New Zealand legend has called time in his glittering career.
McCaw became the world’s most-capped player earlier this year when he surpassed the record of 141 test appearances held by retired Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll.
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“I was lucky enough to grow up watching Jonah but I was also privileged to make my All Blacks Test debut with Jonah in what proved to be his last Test match away at Wales in 2002”.
