RICHIE MCCAW HAS declined to say whether Saturday’s World Cup final will be his last game of professional rugby.
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McCaw leads the All Blacks' haka last weekend. World Rugby / Richard Heathcote/INPHO
World Rugby / Richard Heathcote/INPHO / Richard Heathcote/INPHO
The 34-year-old has been widely expected to end his international career – and his club career too – following the clash with Australia at Twickenham.
The New Zealand captain will win Test cap number 148 in this weekend’s World Cup decider, but has yet to confirm exactly what his post-tournament plans entail.
McCaw’s name was absent from the Crusaders’ squad list for the 2016 Super Rugby competition, an apparent indicator that he will step away from the Christchurch franchise. However, the openside flanker stated today that he believes the Crusaders would take him back into the fold if he decides to play on.
McCaw indicated that his failure to clearly define his post-World Cup plans has been because he never wanted the build-up to the Kiwis’ push for a second consecutive title to be about him.
The New Zealand captain has been keen to avoid a long goodbye, both in his own mind and everyone else’s.
I haven’t announced anything. I’ve purposefully not gone into that as I want to make sure I don’t get all hung up on what this tournament may or may not be,” said McCaw at Pennyhill Park.
“I will make a decision when I get back home. Steve Tew (the CEO of New Zealand Rugby) said there’s still a spot there if I want it.”
“I just want to play this weekend the best I can. You still do the same things you do as if you are going to play on for years. You don’t want to think ‘this is the last time, last time.’ It hasn’t entered my mind this week.
“I’ve made no secret I’ll have to reflect on things but I just want to do this week right.”
Richie McCaw refuses to admit World Cup final will be his last game of rugby
Murray Kinsella reports from Pennyhill Park
RICHIE MCCAW HAS declined to say whether Saturday’s World Cup final will be his last game of professional rugby.
The 34-year-old has been widely expected to end his international career – and his club career too – following the clash with Australia at Twickenham.
The New Zealand captain will win Test cap number 148 in this weekend’s World Cup decider, but has yet to confirm exactly what his post-tournament plans entail.
McCaw’s name was absent from the Crusaders’ squad list for the 2016 Super Rugby competition, an apparent indicator that he will step away from the Christchurch franchise. However, the openside flanker stated today that he believes the Crusaders would take him back into the fold if he decides to play on.
McCaw indicated that his failure to clearly define his post-World Cup plans has been because he never wanted the build-up to the Kiwis’ push for a second consecutive title to be about him.
The New Zealand captain has been keen to avoid a long goodbye, both in his own mind and everyone else’s.
“I will make a decision when I get back home. Steve Tew (the CEO of New Zealand Rugby) said there’s still a spot there if I want it.”
“I just want to play this weekend the best I can. You still do the same things you do as if you are going to play on for years. You don’t want to think ‘this is the last time, last time.’ It hasn’t entered my mind this week.
“I’ve made no secret I’ll have to reflect on things but I just want to do this week right.”
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All Blacks Leader Retirement Richie McCaw Rugby World Cup rwc 15 New Zealand