Richie McCaw to Retire

All Blacks Captain, Richie McCaw,

Said to Retire Following RWC, 2015

New Zealand All Blacks' Captain and Rugby Great, Richard Hugh "Richie" McCaw, is rumored to Retire early next year following The Rugby World Cup 2015.  For any true Rugby fan (and more so to all All Blacks fans) the long-dreaded-though-ultimately-an-inevitable-reality subject of Richie McCaw's retirement is unwelcome at best; though, not too surprising, considering his long-time fellow Club Rugby and International Rugby Teammate (and fellow Legend of the New Zealand Pitch), Daniel "Dan" Carter's Retirement from the New Zealand Club, The Crusaders, in June earlier this year.  Both men have long thrown everything they have into the Game they love -- and in a Nation that loves them for it!

Richie McCaw, All Blacks Captain

Richie McCaw and Dan Carter

Richie McCaw and Dan Carter

When asked concerning these rumors, the 34-year-old renowned Team Captain and Flanker stated, "Honestly, I haven't made any final decisions; but, probably, the likelihood is, I'm not going to be playing next year."

Said to be considering Retirement primarily for Health Reasons, McCaw also remarked, "But I don't want to be getting carried away now, talking about those sorts of things, when I am focusing about playing.  I want to really enjoy this year; but, as I say, that's the likelihood; and I don't want to make any big announcements because I don't think that would be right, going into a Season."

Considered by most to be Rugby's greatest Openside Flanker and International Team Captain in the World, Richie's Retirement would indeed mark a tremendous loss for the All Blacks Team, New Zealand, and the Sport of Rugby.

Concerning Dan Carter's signing of a 3-Year Contract to play for the French Rugby Club, Racing Metro (following his own Retirement from the All Blacks, after the 2015 Rugby World Cup), in a deal that has been described as "the richest contract in Rugby", and that will subsequently make Carter "Rugby's best- paid player", McCaw had this to say, "Everyone is motivated a bit differently; and I've always said that that is not the number one motivation."

Richie McCaw

Dan Carter

As a devoted and loyal New Zealand Player, it would appear that, retired or not, McCaw will "bleed black" for life, as was made obvious by his disinterestedness for  making such a Deal himself, even as a lucrative means to top off his distinguished career in Rugby.

"Obviously, it is nice to play and get well looked after because of that," observed McCaw, "but I've always said that if I was enjoying it, and wanted to carry on playing, then I would continue playing here.  If I'm not enjoying it and decide I've got to go off just to earn some cash, I think that would be pretty tough."

Beloved by his Coach, Fellow Teammates, and Rugby Fans alike, McCaw has also earned the respect of International Rugby Players the World-round, and has been awarded the IRB (International Rugby Board) Player of the Year Award a record 3 times, an event which prompted former Australian Lock and Award Chairperson, John Eales, to publicly describe McCaw as "an outstanding captain, a world class player, and a role model for our sport".