Richie McCaw always knew the perfect moment to attack the breakdown, to make a tackle or complete a pass and the All Blacks skipper demonstrated his perfect sense of timing once again yesterday in announcing his retirement from rugby. McCaw, who walks away as one of the game’s all-time greats, ended his 14-year test career as the most capped player (148) and captain (110) in world rugby.
The 34-year-old flanker won three World Rugby Player of the Year awards and led the All Blacks to successive World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015.
McCaw’s announcement came a day after Jonah Lomu’s unexpected death at the age of 40 had rocked the rugby-mad country.
McCaw paid tribute to the former All Blacks winger before confirming his widely expected decision.
“I’ve been hugely privileged to do what I’ve done for so long, been in some great teams with some great men and what happened in the World Cup just been, everything falling into place was hugely rewarding,” McCaw told a news conference.
“To finish on that note I think is pretty good. The last thing I ever wanted to do was limp to the end, both in form and as your body holding together.
“Sitting here today, the body would say, ‘you could still play,’ so that means that I think I’ve got the timing right.”