Rio Olympics 2016: 'Curse of Richie McCaw' finally broken

Richie McCaw with Gemma Flynn and parents after the quarter final win over Australia by the Blacksticks women's hockey team at the Rio Olympics. Photo / Richie McCaw Facebook

It's time to lay the Curse of Richie McCaw to rest.

Although he might have watched over some of New Zealand's biggest disappointments at the Rio Olympics, he's still proving a lucky charm for the women's Black Sticks team, which features his fiancée Gemma Flynn.

McCaw watched the All Blacks Sevens' shock loss to Japan - the game in which Sonny Bill Williams suffered a tournament-ending injury.

And he was there to see Val Adams pipped to shot put gold by Michelle Carter's late winning throw.

Asked last week by TVNZ if he was bad luck, he joked: "Perhaps I am. I might have to leave!"

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A post shared by Gemma McCaw (@gemflynn)

But after talk of the Curse of Richie McCaw started circulating on social media, Flynn posted a photo of the pair in Rio, with the message: "We've sealed our place in the quarter finals. Loving our support team over here including this lucky charm."

That was after the Black Sticks secured a draw with world No 1 the Netherlands on Saturday thanks to captain Kayla Whitelock's stunning late strike.

And this morning, it emerged McCaw was watching as Flynn and co swatted aside Australia 4-2 to qualify for the final four.

"Great quarter final win over Australia by the Blacksticks women's hockey team. Awesome girls. Bring on the semi final!!"

Great quarter final win over Australia by the Blacksticks women's hockey team. Awesome girls. Bring on the semi final!!

Posted by Richie McCaw on Monday, August 15, 2016

So the sight of the man who played a record 148 tests for the All Blacks and twice lifted the Rugby World Cup in the stands might be a good omen after all.