Richie McCaw-Player Profile
Richard Hugh McCaw, more popularly known as Richie McCaw, is a flanker with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU). He is also employed by the Crusaders, the All Blacks and the Canterbury Rugby Union.
He grew up in Canterbury and attended the Otago Boys' High School in 1994, which is located in Dunedin. He studied in the Lincoln University later on in 1999. During his years at the university, McCaw was selected to play for New Zealand’s Under-19 rugby
union team. After his performance in the Under-19 squad, he was selected in the Under-21 team, meanwhile also playing with Canterbury. He then later played for the Crusaders in 2001, against Ireland, for the Super 14 tournament of New Zealand.
His performances in the Tri-Nations tournaments of 2002 and 2003 made the All Blacks Tri-Nations champions in both years. Similarly, his show during the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2003, earned him due credit, although they were unable to compete in the final,
having played and lost the semi-final against Australia.
While with the NZRU, his excellent performance earned him the title of Captain in 2004. His excellent captaincy skills and those too at the age of 23, helped him retain the captaincy permanently in 2006. Awards such as the International Rugby Board (IRB)
Player of the Year, were also his in 2006.
He again played in an excellent RWC 2007 team for New Zealand, but did not get to win the RWC Cup. 2008 earned him another IRB Player of the Year award for his feats during the 2008 Tri-Nations tournament. 2009 was a bit slow for the player as he had several
injuries to cope with during the season. However, he was back to full form for 2010. This year was especially good for him as he won against Wales, Australia and grabbed the Tri-Nations Cup once again. This year again saw him as IRB’s Player of the Year.
To date McCaw has played over 94 matches marking him as the most capped player in the Kiwi history, topping the All Black’s Sean Fitzpatrick's record of 39 matches won by a player. He is also the winner of the most celebrated award of IRB Player of the Year
three times.
He has been recently seen signing a new contract with the NZRU, which will bind him with the Union until the 2015 season.
Steve Tew, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NZRU describes his achievements and says, “McCaw is an inspiration both on and off the field and as our most-capped Test captain and All Black, he will provide New Zealand rugby and the All Blacks with a very
solid foundation to approach the next four years from 2012.”
He is all set to play for his home team instead of signing on with any other international unions. This decision was also taken by almost 20 of his team-mates as well. He looks forward to playing the RWC 2011 for New Zealand and in New Zealand. He expresses
this by saying, "I've always said that as long as I am enjoying playing footy in New Zealand then I will stay.”
Turning down the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, saying that he did not have enough time, has been lucrative for the All Blacks player, Tim McCaw. His contract renewal for playing with the NZRU until the year 2015 is a strong point in
his favour of turning down the Royals.
Tags: