ALL BLACKS CAPTAIN Richie McCaw is expected to announce his retirement this week, according to New Zealand media reports, a move that would confirm one of the worst-kept secrets in rugby.
New Zealand rugby chief executive Steve Tew has told journalists the record-breaking skipper and three-times world player of the year will be making a statement on his playing future “shortly”.
Both the New Zealand Herald and Stuff websites speculated on Sunday that the retirement announcement would be made on Thurday.
McCaw, who led New Zealand to victory at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, had indicated earlier this year he would likely retire after the latest World Cup in England.
Tew, however, gave no indication whether the 34-year-old McCaw would decide to stay or go.
“He wanted to go into 2015 and enjoy playing the year without really worrying about whether everything he did was the last time he did it.
“He didn’t want the team distracted by that and now he has asked for a little bit more time before finally making a decision and announcement,” the New Zealand rugby boss said.
“He won’t be too far away from getting to that point and if we give him a little more space and have a little more patience we’ll all be rewarded with the ultimate answer shortly.”
McCaw has played a world record 148 Tests, captained the All Blacks 111 times and has been on the winning side for a remarkable 88 percent of his internationals.
Of the 61 Tests he has played in New Zealand, McCaw has only lost twice.
If he didn’t write it is it not just a biography?
@the druid: But they say it’s ‘written by Niall Kelly’, ergo it can’t by its very definition be an autobiography
@the druid: Sorry I sent that before your next message!
@COYBIG: it’s an autobiography because it’s written (or in this case ghostwritten) from his own point of view. If it was a biography it would be someone else’s description of his life.
@Stephen: Do ye seriously think sports stars all write their own books, word for word. If ye actually believe that, I’m afraid I’ve some bad news for ye about Santa Claus…
@Ewan Euphrenza: Ya you’re right, I was being pedantic
@Dermot Dooley: No Dermot, it is only an ‘autobiography’ if is self-written by Philly on his own.
@Martin Fahy: Autobiographies can, and very often are, ghostwritten. As in this case.
I live in Ballymun and have known Philly and his dad, Phil, for over 30 years. The bit of this excellent book that I like best [so far!] is where an opponent tried to rile him by saying “Your dad’s only a Provo”, to which Philly retorted “And what did your dad do in the troubles?” Advantage Philly!
@Sean Marlow: hahaha good one!!
Just another Dublin player cashing in ….
@Patrick j Brady: I see Kieran Donaghy was a previous winner and Gooch has a book out to top up the money that he earned from his testimonial dinner, which was expected to make 250K. What exactly is your point again?
@Patrick j Brady: Must be from Mayo.. The chap has 4 or 5 gyms, his own healthy eating company and a patent on a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machine, wouldn’t say he’s “cashing in” you pratt.. great read. Fair play.
@Sean @114: Gooch gave his testimonial money to charity.
@Colin McCarthy: ‘part’ of it to charity , ‘Part’ of it to his club and the vast bulk of it to his accountant
@Patrick j Brady: would your bitterness stem from the fact no Meath player is worthy of a story to put in print
Fair play. He’s an ambitious fella
Really great book. Well done to Niall Kelly also, the ghost writing is superb. Some passages in it are absolutely haunting; the picture of what went on for young Philly and John is painted so well.
More than just a sports book.. a terrific read…heartbreakingly sad in parts but uplifting throughout
Not a fan of his but well done on the award