Richie McCaw pays tribute to Jonah Lomu as he retires from rugby union and plans to be a helicopter pilot following back-to-back World Cup wins as New Zealand captain

  • Richie McCaw has announced his retirement from professional rugby
  • The 34-year-old said he had 'no regrets' after his incredible career 
  • His final action in an All Blacks jersey was winning the World Cup final
  • McCaw bows out with a record 148 Test caps, 111 of them as captain
  • He said his future will include pursuing his passion as a helicopter pilot
  • McCaw paid tribute to Jonah Lomu as a 'a great man and a great All Black'
  • He said the timing of his announcement was difficult with Lomu's passing 

Richie McCaw described the late Jonah Lomu as 'a great man and a great All Black' ahead of confirming his own retirement from professional rugby and announcing his plans to become a pilot.

McCaw made the first of his record 148 Test appearances in 2001, the same year Lomu's short but incredibly sweet career came to an end, and wraps up his illustrious run as an All Black with back-to-back World Cup wins as captain. 

The 34-year-old resisted any temptation to postpone his scheduled announcement on Thursday morning in Wellington (11.15pm UK time) as he joined the nation in mourning Lomu's passing, and began the press conference with his tribute.

McCaw announced the end of his rugby union career at a press conference in Wellington, New Zealand

Richie McCaw announces the end of his rugby union career at the press conference in Wellington

New Zealand's back-to-back World Cup-winning captain McCaw retires after a record 148 Tests 

New Zealand's back-to-back World Cup-winning captain McCaw retires after a record 148 Tests 

McCaw paid tribute to Lomu, who died on Tuesday, at the start of a his press conference

McCaw paid tribute to Lomu, who died on Tuesday, at the start of a his press conference

McCaw goes for a ride on the back of Lomu, whose career came to an end as his was beginning in 2001

McCaw goes for a ride on the back of Lomu, whose career came to an end as his was beginning in 2001

McCaw delivers the news New Zealanders and world rugby fans were expecting from the flanker

McCaw delivers the news New Zealanders and world rugby fans were expecting from the flanker

'I remember watching the 95 World Cup and remember it all being about getting the ball to Jonah,' he said.

'Had he been 100 per cent fit I wonder what he could've done, that's scary. The first day I played against him I had two goes at tackling him and never got close.

'How he held himself paved the way for everyone who wore the jersey since.'

On the timing of his own news, McCaw later added: 'The last thing I wanted to do was disrespect.'

Throughout the World Cup in Britain, McCaw repeatedly refused to make any call on his future until he'd returned home, despite a number of his team-mates making their plans known. He didn't want individuals to overshadow the achievements of the team.

Even after the All Blacks October 31 final win over Australia at Twickenham, he said fans and media would have to wait for his decision, which didn't come as easily as many may have expected.   

'It's time to hang up the boots! It has been a hell of a journey over the last 15 years,' he wrote on Facebook, stealing the thunder of the televised appearance. 'I've been privileged to do what I love for so long. Here's to new adventures.'

Despite speculation he may pull the pin on his international career and follow Dan Carter and Ma'a Nonu to France for a final payday, McCaw didn't want to play for a club outside his home country. 

'Today, I thought about whether it was the right thing to do this. But I'm going to be hanging up my boots,' he finally said at the press conference broadcast live on state TV in New Zealand.

'My last game was for the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final two weeks ago.

'Deep down I didn't want to shut the door totally. Even if that door was just open a little bit. It didn't feel that final until now.' 

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and McCaw share a laugh at Thursday morning's press conference

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and McCaw share a laugh at Thursday morning's press conference

Hansen shakes the hand of McCaw, who he believes is the greatest player to pull on an All Blacks jersey

Hansen shakes the hand of McCaw, who he believes is the greatest player to pull on an All Blacks jersey

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen (left) believes McCaw will go down as his country's greatest captain

McCaw says he is proud that his 'last game was for the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final'

After nationwide parades celebrating their Cup victory, McCaw bows out arguably the sport's greatest ever player with 131 wins in his 148 Tests, 110 of which were as captain. 

He's also been named world player of the year three times - in 2006, 2009 and 2010 - a record he shares with Carter.

RICHIE MCCAW BY NUMBERS 

148: Caps won by McCaw, a world record.

131: Tests won by McCaw.

111: Matches as captain, a world best.

89: McCaw's win percentage as a captain.

2: World Cups won.

3: Number of times McCaw was named World Player of the Year.

27: International tries.

135: Test points.

37: Appearances against Australia.

29: Victories over the Wallabies, including in his final game, the World Cup final. 

'Had the World Cup gone the way of us being beaten, I'd have wanted to make sure that went right.

'I wanted to make it about the team and not the individuals and make sure I've made the right decision.

'I sit here with no regrets as a rugby player. That last game as a rugby player was pretty satisfying.' 

McCaw has been flying high throughout his career and said his future lies literally in the sky with plans to pursue a career as a pilot. 

'I'm hugely excited about the future. A couple of things I have in mind. I learnt to fly helicopters in 2009 and that's going to be my thing from now,' he said.

'It's something I'm passionate about.' 

McCaw became the world's most-capped player earlier this year when he went beyond retired Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll's 141 Tests.

He was also the first captain to lead his country in 100 test matches. New Zealand won 89 percent of the games in which he played and more than 90 percent of those he played as captain.

McCaw was hailed by All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen as the greatest-ever All Black, narrowly ahead of Carter, after the World Cup and reiterated his feelings as he sat by his side.

'All this success couldn't have happened to a better bloke and we wish him all the very best for the future,' Hansen said.

'In my opinion, he will go down not only as the greatest All Black of all time, but the greatest captain we have ever had and possibly the greatest player to have ever played the game in the modern era.

'To play 148 tests is something to be marvelled at on its own, particularly with the physical demands of the position he plays. But the more impressive thing about those 148 games is the quality of the performances he produced.

McCaw is 'hugely excited about the future' and has plans to get his commercial helicopter pilot's licence 

McCaw is 'hugely excited about the future' and has plans to get his commercial helicopter pilot's licence 

Hansen (left) says McCaw 'will go down not only as the greatest All Black of all time, but the greatest captain'

Hansen (left) says McCaw 'will go down not only as the greatest All Black of all time, but the greatest captain'

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew (right) said McCaw was 'the most influential player of his generation, if not of all time'

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew (right) said McCaw was 'the most influential player of his generation, if not of all time'

Tew also honoured McCaw's 'very significant contribution off the field as well, in his decade-plus career'

Tew also honoured McCaw's 'very significant contribution off the field as well, in his decade-plus career'

'Having been involved in the majority of those test matches, I can't recall him ever playing a bad game.

'His ability as a leader will be something he will be remembered for. Leadership doesn't come to anyone naturally, it's a learned skill. After the adversity of 2007 and the criticism that came with that, Richie's mental toughness and desire to improve really shone through.

'It's those qualities that have made him, in my view, the greatest leader of the All Blacks of all time.

'He's been an inspiration to us all. Not only has he enhanced the jersey during his time, but he has left a lasting legacy that will be talked about by many people long after we're all gone. It's been an absolute pleasure to have shared the road with him.' 

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said McCaw was 'the most influential player of his generation, if not of all time.' 

'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,' Tew told gathered media.

'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.

'He's been a sounding board for numerous players, coaches, administrators and others involved in this great game of ours.

'We wish him well in his retirement and the next phase of his life and while he's hanging up his boots, we know he'll stay involved in rugby one way or another in the future.'

McCaw waves to fans during an official welcome parade following New Zealand's Rugby World Cup win 

McCaw waves to fans during an official welcome parade following New Zealand's Rugby World Cup win 

McCaw's victory celebrations have also served as a farewell to his playing career ahead of his retirement

McCaw's victory celebrations have also served as a farewell to his playing career ahead of his retirement

McCaw announced his retirement from rugby union with this moment his final action in the All Blacks jersey

McCaw announced his retirement from rugby union with this moment his final action in the All Blacks jersey

McCaw receives the Webb Ellis Cup from Prince Harry after the All Blacks' win over the Wallabies 

McCaw receives the Webb Ellis Cup from Prince Harry after the All Blacks' win over the Wallabies 

McCaw poses with longtime team-mate Dan Carter, who is moving to France to play with Racing Metro

McCaw poses with longtime team-mate Dan Carter, who is moving to France to play with Racing Metro

The 34-year-old says his decision about his future may have been different had the World Cup gone differently

The 34-year-old says his decision about his future may have been different had the World Cup gone differently

McCaw, who was raised on a farm near Oamaru in North Otago on New Zealand's South Island, had a stellar career as an All Black after making respective provincial and Super Rugby breakthroughs at Canterbury from 1999 and the Crusaders from 2001.

He made his Test debut against Ireland in Lansdowne Road in November 2001 when he was named man-of-the-match in New Zealand's 40-29 victory.

McCaw was voted Newcomer of the Year by the International Rugby Players' Association in 2002 and was named All Blacks captain for the first time, against Wales in 2004, at the tender age of 23 when regular skipper Tana Umaga was rested.

Having helped the All Blacks to a 3-0 series win over the British and Irish Lions in 2005, McCaw was appointed New Zealand captain in May 2006 at the age of 25 and after 36 Test matches. 

Renowned for his physical turnover work around the breakdown area, McCaw reinvented the role of the openside flanker in modern rugby as he combined brute strength and reading the game with more traditional handling dexterity and defensive skills.

Tournament favourites New Zealand were stunned when France eliminated them at the 2007 World Cup quarter-final stage, but McCaw remained as captain and helped the All Blacks end their 24-year wait for rugby's biggest prize on home soil four years later.

McCaw won his 100th cap in that tournament but decided to stay on for another four years to lead New Zealand's title defence in England.

And the All Blacks were simply irresistible as they swept all before them to lay claim to being the greatest team in rugby history.  

RICHIE MCCAW'S KEY MOMENTS

- Born December 31, 1980, in Oamaru, New Zealand.

- Made his test debut at openside flanker for New Zealand, aged 20, against Ireland in Dublin in 2001, and was named man of the match.

- Helped the Canterbury Crusaders win the Super Rugby championship in 2002. He won three more Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, all as captain, in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

- Made first World Cup appearance in 2003. The All Blacks were beaten by Australia in the semi-finals and finished third.

- Captained New Zealand for the first time in 2004, against Wales, when regular skipper Tana Umaga was rested.

- Appointed as full-time New Zealand captain in 2006 and led the All Blacks to the southern hemisphere's Rugby Championship title. 

- Also in 2006, named World Player of the Year for the first time. He would win the honour two more times, in 2009 and 2010, matched only by his team mate and this year's winner Dan Carter.

- Led the All Blacks to their worst ever performance at a World Cup in 2007, losing in the quarter-finals to France. 

- Remained captain for the All Blacks' first World Cup victory in 24 years in 2011, beating France 8-7 in the final at Eden Park, Auckland.

- Led New Zealand to their 13th rugby championship in 2014, the seventh under his captaincy.

- Surpassed Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll as the most capped player in international rugby history in 2015 and finished his career with a record total of 148 test appearances, scoring 27 tries.

- Led the All Blacks to a second successive World Cup title in 2015, beating Australia in the final at Twickenham in what would be his last appearance on a rugby field.

- Skippered New Zealand a record 110 times in total, for a record 97 wins, 11 losses and two draws. Was the only player to captain a team to two World Cup titles.

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