All Blacks: McCaw gains new cap

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has gained a new cap - as a squadron leaders for the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

McCaw accepted an invitation from the RNZAF to become an honorary squadron leader until December 31, 2011, the Sunday News reported.

Flying was in his blood - his grandfather was an RNZAF fighter pilot during World War II - and McCaw had flown since childhood.

He said there were similarities between being an All Black and being an Air Force pilot, and had talked with air force cadets previously about leadership.

He would also consider joining the air force in the future.

"Obviously over the next couple of years I'm playing and I have to do what I do to have the honorary position," he told the Sunday News.

"But hey, who knows what happens after that? With my interest in flying, you never know."

- NZPA