Tom Cruise and Richie MCaw: Can you tell them apart?
After an illustrious career, All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has finally hung up his boots and his parents hope they'll now get to see a little more of their world-famous son.
"There was certainly a few of our friends [that] contacted us today and said how proud everybody was, which we are - extremely proud of what he's achieved," father Don McCaw told the
Herald
last night.
Their legendary 34-year-old son, who announced his retirement at the New Zealand Rugby offices in Wellington on Thursday, said he had accomplished everything he could have ever dreamed about in the game.
He played a record 148 tests for New Zealand.
"Knowing that I was able to end my career by helping the All Blacks win the Rugby World Cup Final is a hugely satisfying feeling," McCaw said.
"Professional rugby has been great to me. It's allowed me to pursue my passion, to be involved with great people, hopefully make those close to me proud and travel the world.
"I've had some wonderful experiences for which I'm very grateful."
He also thanked fans in New Zealand and overseas for their "unwavering and passionate support".
Asked if they would get to see a bit more of Richie now that he had retired, Don McCaw said: "Yeah, possibly. We certainly will, I'm hoping. It's been a full-on career playing rugby. I mean, there's not a lot of spare time, that's for sure."
The All Black's international career started in Dublin against the Irish and ended last month in London, 14 years later, when he lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time.
He was raised on the family farm in Kurow, a rural service town about 65km inland from Oamaru.
Kevin Malcolm, coach of the Kurow Rugby Club premier team, said McCaw was welcome to come back for a few games , "but we're certainly not pressuring".
Mr Malcolm said McCaw had become synonymous with the area and the town was very grateful for that.
"We can only just thank him hugely for the promotion he's given our district and the inspiration he's given so many of our other young players and shown them from a small area you can go to the greatest heights of sport or any endeavour in the country actually."
After attending local primary and intermediate schools, McCaw went to Otago Boys' High School in Dunedin.
Rector Richard Hall said that Otago Boys' felt real pride and satisfaction in what their old boy had achieved.
"I think, like most of the country, we're just in awe of all of the things he's managed to pack into his life already and more importantly, the manner in which he's done those things."
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen reminisced about seeing McCaw play for the first time in a schoolboy match at Lancaster Park.
He told Steve Tew, then in charge of Canterbury rugby, to sign him.
McCaw would go on to become the most capped international rugby player of all time, and would have long and illustrious careers with Canterbury and the Crusaders.
The retiring captain said he would now be concentrating on his business, personal sponsorship and charity interests.
"Aviation is something I'm passionate about, I'm going to carry on flying and work towards getting my commercial pilot licence.
"The iSport Foundation charity, which I set up with Dan Carter and Ali Williams, also gives us the opportunity to help talented teenagers reach their potential in their chosen sport, which is a cool way for us to give back."
He was now "really excited" about starting the next chapter of his life.
McCaw's new employer, Christchurch Helicopters, expects him to take flight as a commercial pilot by early next year. Pilot Kevin Walsh said McCaw should be able to obtain his commercial licence in a matter of months, depending on his availability to complete both the practical and theory elements of the course.
He became a director and shareholder in February.
"He was good at pinching the ball but couldn't catch, couldn't pass and couldn't run. But he had a massive desire to be good."
- All Blacks coach Steve Hansen on seeing McCaw at the Canterbury Academy.
"Richie's record speaks for itself, he is one of the all-time greats of our game and the greatest ever All Blacks captain."
- Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver
"You can just see the bruises, the scars that he wears. He came on to the scene a pretty, fresh-faced young New Zealander and he finishes with such an outstanding record.
"I do think he's the best rugby player of all time. He's won more trophies and medals than any other player."
- Retired Wallabies flanker Phil Waugh told Fox Sport
"The school feels real pride and satisfaction in what he has achieved and what he has done. I think, like most of the country, we're just in awe of all of the things he's managed to pack into his life already and more importantly, the manner in which he's done those things."
- Otago Boys' High School rector Richard Hall
"We can only just thank him hugely for the promotion he's given our district and the inspiration he's given so many of our other young players and shown them from a small area you can go to the greatest heights of sport or any endeavour in the country."
- Kevin Malcolm, coach of the Kurow Rugby Club premier team (McCaw's childhood rugby club)
The missing rugby jersey was found after a two-year search.