65 Facts About Richie McCaw

Richie McCaw captained the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, in 110 out of his 148 test matches, and won two Rugby World Cups.

Richie McCaw has won the World Rugby player of the year award a joint record three times and was the most capped test rugby player of all time from August 2015 to October 2020.

Richie McCaw was awarded World Rugby player of the decade in 2021.

Richie McCaw is a winner of the New Zealand sportsman of the decade award.

Richie McCaw was the first All Black to reach 100 caps, and the first rugby union player to win 100 tests.

Richie McCaw was the most-capped player in rugby union history with 148 caps, having overtaken Brian O'Driscoll's record in 2015 and losing the record to Alun Wyn Jones in 2020.

Richie McCaw has equaled the record for most appearances at the Rugby World Cup, with Jason Leonard.

Richie McCaw made his debut in 2001 for the Crusaders, and was selected for the All Blacks' 2001 end-of-year tour, despite having played only eight minutes of Super 12 rugby.

Richie McCaw became a regular selection for New Zealand, only missing a few games due to recurring concussions.

Richie McCaw's great-great-grandfather immigrated to New Zealand from the Scottish Borders in 1893, and settled in the Hakataramea Valley, Waimate District, South Canterbury.

Richie McCaw's father took over the family farm and his mother was a teacher at Kurow.

On New Year's Eve 1980, Richard Hugh Richie McCaw was born in the nearby town of Oamaru.

Richie McCaw grew up on his parents' farm along with his sister Joanna.

Richie McCaw started flying gliders with his grandfather J H 'Jim' Richie McCaw, a Tempest pilot during World War II credited with shooting down 20 V1 missiles, when he was nine years old.

Richie McCaw played rugby for the local Kurow rugby club as a youngster, but it was not until 1994, when he boarded at Otago Boys' High School in Dunedin, that he started to take the game seriously.

Richie McCaw came to the attention of national selectors during a 5-all draw with Rotorua Boys' High School in the 1998 New Zealand secondary schools rugby final in Christchurch.

Richie McCaw achieved all but two papers for his Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree before deciding to pursue his rugby career instead.

Richie McCaw received an honorary doctorate in recognition of his sporting achievements in April 2012.

In 1999, Richie McCaw was selected in the New Zealand under-19 squad, which won the world championship in Wales.

Richie McCaw did however play a full season with NPC champions Canterbury and captained the New Zealand Under 21s.

In 2002 Richie McCaw was voted as Newcomer of the Year by the International Rugby Players Association.

Richie McCaw was selected as openside flanker for the 2003 All Blacks World Cup squad and played in every game at the tournament.

Richie McCaw was selected as first choice openside flanker and made vice captain.

Richie McCaw was a late withdrawal from the second England test and then played 70 minutes against Argentina before again leaving the field due to dizziness.

Richie McCaw returned to captain Canterbury to the finals at the tail end of the NPC season.

Richie McCaw was made captain at the age of 23 for the first time against Wales as regular captain Tana Umaga was rested.

Richie McCaw was stretchered off the field two minutes into the game after attempting a tackle on Bulls prop Richard Bands.

Richie McCaw missed the game against England after suffering his third serious head knock against Ireland.

Richie McCaw led the Crusaders to the Super Rugby title again in 2006.

In May 2006, at the age of 25 and after 36 test matches, Richie McCaw was named captain of the All Blacks.

Richie McCaw started his captaincy with victory over Ireland and then mentored stand-in captain Jerry Collins in Argentina.

Richie McCaw was captain in every match and after being short listed in 2002,2003 and 2005 was named the 2006 IRB International Player of the Year.

Richie McCaw returned to the Crusaders in the eighth round and helped them reach the semi-finals.

Richie McCaw started on the bench for the Canadian match, with Reuben Thorne returning as captain.

Richie McCaw made just three appearances due to Henry's rotation policy.

Richie McCaw was accused of not inspiring his team, lacking the ability to change policy when plan A was not working and not providing enough leadership on the field.

Richie McCaw immediately stated that he would retain McCaw as his captain.

However, it was during this match Richie McCaw re-aggravated his foot injury.

Richie McCaw recorded his 100th win against South Africa in Dunedin.

Richie McCaw was a nominee for the IRB Player of the Year award but lost out to teammate Dan Carter.

Richie McCaw later returned to captain the All Blacks as they successfully defended the Rugby Championship.

Richie McCaw subsequently overtook this record when playing in Japan on 2 November 2013.

Richie McCaw captained New Zealand for the 100th time on 22 November 2014 in the end of year international against Wales.

Richie McCaw is the first rugby union player to achieve 100 caps as captain.

On 15 August 2015, Richie McCaw surpassed Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll world record, as the most capped rugby player when he won his 142nd cap against Australia in the Bledisloe Cup.

Richie McCaw would go on to hold this title for five years until 31 October 2020 when Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones got his 149th cap.

On 19 November 2015, Richie McCaw announced his retirement from rugby.

Richie McCaw predominately played at openside flanker, although he has played in the other "loose forward" positions of blindside flanker and number eight for the Crusaders.

Richie McCaw has been described as the best openside flanker of all time.

Richie McCaw has been awarded the IRB Player of the Year a record three times and has been nominated on eight occasions.

Richie McCaw considers his ability to anticipate play as one of his most important skills.

One of Richie McCaw's strengths is his ability to re-invent himself.

Not all agree with Richie McCaw's playing style and many believe that he pushes the boundaries of legality.

Richie McCaw has been labeled a "cheat" by both former South Africa coach Peter de Villiers and former Australian coach Bob Dwyer.

Richie McCaw admits that he tests the referee early "to know what you can get away with" and that only an "idiot" would not adapt to their rulings.

Richie McCaw has even been on the receiving end from his All Black teammates when playing for the Crusaders, with Neemia Tialata, Jerry Collins and Ali Williams becoming frustrated with his play.

In September 2012 after the All Blacks v South African Test in Dunedin, then South African coach Heyneke Meyer said that Richie McCaw was the greatest rugby player the world has ever seen.

Richie McCaw's other sporting passion is flying and he was made an honorary Squadron Leader in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 2010 and was promoted to honorary Wing Commander in September 2016.

Richie McCaw was taught to fly gliders by his grandfather J H 'Jim' Richie McCaw who flew more than 300 missions in the Second World War.

Richie McCaw is raising money for a young Samoan who broke his neck playing rugby and whose village was destroyed in the 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami.

Richie McCaw has since obtained said licence and has continued working as a helicopter pilot.

Richie McCaw flew several rescue and reconnaissance missions following the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake that struck the South Island.

Richie McCaw performed milk drops around rural areas of New Zealand while having an endorsement with Fonterra, in which his sister and her husband are dairy farmers.

Richie McCaw was appointed a member of New Zealand's highest honour, the Order of New Zealand, in the 2016 New Year Honours.

Richie McCaw represented the Order in the Royal Procession at the 2023 Coronation.