Richie McCaw facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Richie McCaw

McCaw in 2016
Birth name	Richard Hugh McCaw
Date of birth	(1980-12-31) 31 December 1980 (age 44)
Place of birth	Oamaru, New Zealand
Height	187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	107 kg (236 lb; 16 st 12 lb)
School	Otago Boys' High School
University	Lincoln University
Spouse	Gemma Flynn ​ (m. 2017)​
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Number 8 Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2000–2009 Canterbury 34 (50) 2001–2015 Crusaders 145 (135) Correct as of 1 April 2023 National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2000–2001 New Zealand U21 5 (15) 2001–2015 New Zealand 148 (135) Correct as of 1 April 2023

Richard Hugh McCaw (born December 31, 1980) is a famous retired New Zealand rugby union player. He was the captain of the New Zealand national team, known as the All Blacks. He led them in 110 of his 148 international matches.

Richie McCaw helped the All Blacks win two Rugby World Cups. He also won the World Rugby Player of the Year award three times, which is a record shared with others. From 2015 to 2020, he was the player with the most international rugby matches played. In 2021, he was named World Rugby player of the decade (2011–2020).

McCaw was the first All Black to play 100 international matches. He was also the first rugby player to win 100 international games. He played in 148 international matches in total. This made him the most-capped player in rugby history for a time. He also shares the record for most appearances at the Rugby World Cup.

Richie McCaw mainly played as an openside flanker. He played for the All Blacks, the Crusaders, and Canterbury. During his career, Canterbury won the NPC (a New Zealand competition) five times. The Crusaders won four Super Rugby titles. Besides his two World Cup wins, the All Blacks also won seven Tri-Nations titles. They completed three successful Grand Slam tours and won the Bledisloe Cup eight times.

He first played for the Crusaders in 2001. Soon after, he was chosen for the All Blacks' tour. His first game for New Zealand was against Ireland. He was named the best player of that match. McCaw became a regular player for New Zealand. He led the team to win the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and 2015. He is one of only two captains to win two Rugby World Cups.

McCaw holds the international record for most game wins as a player, with 131 victories. He also holds the record for most games as a captain, with 110.

Early Life and Rugby Beginnings

Otago Boys' High School, Dunedin. Richie McCaw boarded at the school from 1994 to 1998.

Richard Hugh McCaw was born on December 31, 1980, in Oamaru, New Zealand. He grew up on his family's farm with his sister, Joanna. From a young age, Richie learned to fly gliders with his grandfather. His grandfather was a pilot in World War II.

Richie started playing rugby for his local club, Kurow. When he was 14, he went to Otago Boys' High School in Dunedin. This is where he started to take rugby very seriously. In his final year, he was a top student and played for the school's main rugby team.

After high school, McCaw went to Lincoln University in Christchurch. He studied agricultural science and continued playing rugby. In 1999, he was part of the New Zealand under-19 team that won the world championship. This made him believe he could play for the All Blacks. The next year, he played for the New Zealand under-21 team. He also made his debut for Canterbury in a national competition.

In March 2001, he played his first Super Rugby game for the Crusaders. He only played a few minutes that year. However, he played a full season for Canterbury, who won their championship. He also captained the New Zealand Under 21s.

Becoming an All Black

First International Games

Even though Richie McCaw was only 20 years old and had played few games for Canterbury, he was chosen for the All Blacks' tour in late 2001. His first international game was against Ireland on November 17, 2001. He was named the best player of the match. The All Blacks won the game 40–29.

McCaw played in all three international games on that tour. The All Blacks won against Scotland and Argentina. At the end of the year, McCaw won awards for being the best Under-21 player and the best player in the national provincial competition.

Early Success and World Cup 2003

In 2002 and 2003, McCaw was a regular player for the Crusaders and the All Blacks. The Crusaders won the Super Rugby final in 2002. In 2002, McCaw was voted "Newcomer of the Year" by international rugby players.

The All Blacks won the Tri Nations title in 2003. They also won back the Bledisloe Cup from Australia. McCaw was chosen for the 2003 All Blacks World Cup squad. He played in every game. New Zealand reached the semi-finals but lost to Australia. At the end of 2003, McCaw was named the New Zealand Rugby Union Player of the Year.

Captaincy and Injuries

In 2004, McCaw became the vice-captain of the All Blacks. He suffered a concussion during a game against England. He had to miss some games to recover. Later that year, he captained Canterbury to the finals of their competition. In November 2004, he captained the All Blacks for the first time against Wales. He was only 23 years old.

In 2005, McCaw had another concussion while playing for the Crusaders. He thought about his future in rugby. But he decided to keep playing because he loved the game. He returned to lead the Crusaders to win their semi-final and final games. McCaw also played against the British and Irish Lions in 2005. The All Blacks won the series 3–0. He was also part of the team that won the Tri Nations and completed a Grand Slam tour.

Leading the All Blacks

New captain McCaw leading a haka against France in 2006

In May 2006, at 25 years old, Richie McCaw was officially named the captain of the All Blacks. He led the Crusaders to another Super Rugby title that year. The All Blacks won the 2006 Tri Nations and kept the Bledisloe Cup. They also had a successful tour in Europe. McCaw was named the 2006 IRB International Player of the Year.

The 2007 season was a World Cup year. McCaw helped the All Blacks win the Tri Nations again. However, at the 2007 World Cup, the All Blacks lost to France in the quarter-finals. This was a big disappointment for the team.

Continued Success and Records

McCaw in London, 2008

Despite the World Cup loss, McCaw remained captain. In 2008, he helped the Crusaders win their seventh Super Rugby title. He also led the All Blacks to win the Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup again. They completed another Grand Slam tour in the United Kingdom and Ireland. McCaw won every international game he captained in 2008.

In 2009, McCaw was named the IRB International Player of the Year for a second time. In 2010, he played his 100th Super Rugby game. The All Blacks had a great year, winning the Tri Nations undefeated. McCaw became the most-capped All Black captain, passing Sean Fitzpatrick. He also became the most-capped All Black player. He won the IRB International Player of the Year award for the third time in a row. He was also named New Zealand sportsperson of the year.

World Cup Victories

2011 Rugby World Cup Champion

Richie McCaw holding the William Webb Ellis Trophy after the 2011 World Cup final

In 2011, McCaw had a foot injury that needed surgery. He missed the start of the Super Rugby season. During the 2011 Rugby World Cup, he played his 100th international game. He also re-injured his foot during the tournament. Despite his injury, McCaw continued to play. He led the All Blacks to a close 8–7 victory over France in the final. This was the lowest score in a World Cup final ever. After the win, the coach said they probably wouldn't have won without him. McCaw needed another surgery on his foot after the World Cup.

He was chosen for the Rugby World Cup Dream Team by public vote. He also won the New Zealand sportsperson of the year award again.

2012–2015: More Triumphs and Retirement

Under new coach Steve Hansen, the All Blacks had a fantastic year in 2012. They won 12 tests, drew one, and lost only one. They also won the new Rugby Championship with a perfect record. McCaw achieved his 100th international win against South Africa.

In 2013, McCaw took a break from rugby to rest his body. He returned to captain the All Blacks as they defended the Rugby Championship. He also equaled and then broke the record for most test matches captained. The All Blacks had a "perfect season" in 2013, winning all 14 of their international games.

On November 22, 2014, McCaw captained New Zealand for the 100th time. He was the first rugby player to achieve this. On August 15, 2015, McCaw became the most-capped rugby player in the world. He played his 142nd game against Australia. He held this record for five years.

On October 31, 2015, McCaw captained New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup again. They beat Australia 34–17 in the final. This was his 13th World Cup game as captain, a world record. On November 19, 2015, Richie McCaw announced his retirement from rugby.

Playing Style and Impact

McCaw leading a reindition of the haka 'Ka Mate' against France

Richie McCaw mostly played as an openside flanker. This position is usually one of the first players to reach a breakdown (where players compete for the ball after a tackle). His main job was to help with defense and to secure the ball for his team when they attacked. He also put pressure on the other team to try and win the ball back.

Many people say McCaw is the best openside flanker of all time. He won the IRB Player of the Year award three times. He was nominated for the award eight times. People saw him as one of the most important players for the All Blacks. McCaw believed his ability to guess what would happen next in the game was one of his best skills.

Some people thought McCaw pushed the rules to their limits. But others said he was just very good at understanding how the referee would interpret the rules. McCaw himself said he would test the referee early in a game to see "what you can get away with." He believed a smart player would adapt to the referee's decisions.

His teammates and fans often felt that McCaw was targeted by opposing players because of his influence. McCaw said that if he got extra attention, it meant he was "doing something right." After the All Blacks won their third World Cup, coach Steve Hansen called McCaw the "best All Black we have ever had."

Personal Life

In January 2013, it was reported that Richie McCaw was dating hockey player Gemma Flynn. They got engaged in January 2016 and married on January 14, 2017. They have three daughters, born in December 2018, May 2021, and April 2023. In December 2024, McCaw's family announced they would move to Wānaka after living in Christchurch for 10 years.

Richie McCaw also loves flying. He was made an honorary Squadron Leader in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 2010. He was promoted to honorary Wing Commander in 2016. He learned to fly gliders from his grandfather. After the 2010 Canterbury earthquake, he auctioned a flying lesson to raise money for a damaged church.

After retiring from rugby in 2015, McCaw started working at Christchurch Helicopters. He is a director and shareholder there. He also got his commercial helicopter license. He flew rescue and observation missions after the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. He also helped deliver milk to rural areas as part of a partnership with a dairy company.

Honours and Awards

In 2019, World Rugby added Richie McCaw to its Hall of Fame. This is a special honor for rugby legends.

Order of New Zealand

McCaw (left), after his investiture as a Member of the Order of New Zealand by the governor-general, Sir Jerry Mateparae, at Government House, Wellington, in April 2016

In December 2011, the Prime Minister of New Zealand offered McCaw a knighthood. But McCaw turned it down because he was still playing rugby. He felt it wasn't the right time. After he retired, in the 2016 New Year Honours, McCaw was appointed a member of the Order of New Zealand. This is New Zealand's highest honor. Only 20 living New Zealanders can be members at one time. McCaw represented the Order at the 2023 Coronation of King Charles III.

Playing Achievements Summary

See also

In Spanish: Richie McCaw para niños