Seminal moments in sport can change the landscape of many memorable sports peoples careers. After holding up the Rugby World Cup for the second time, that rang true for the All Blacks captain on October 31st. Now Captain Fantastic will again have the spotlight on him with an announcement due from Richie McCaw Thursday which will end months of speculation, one way or the other.
At 34 years of age, McCaw has achieved much is his gloried rugby career but the focus has turned from his sporting achievements to questions (and assumptions) on what step he will take next. And it is his choice alone, something not every champion can make themselves.
The scheduled announcement will be made from the New Zealand Rugby headquarters in Wellington, a place McCaw is familiar with but in his humble way, you know that most public appearances are still a little bit uncomfortable for the three-time World Rugby Player of the Year winner. He is not shy but you sense he might rather be at a training session rather than talking about himself. The spotlight will be on him Thursday, as it has been since he walked his team back into the nation that has made an astonishing outpouring of public celebration and civic congratulations.
A selfless man, his values are intertwined with New Zealand (NZ) societies and that is why the nation embraced this boy from Kurow. The manner in which he has held himself, his performance on field and off of it, you would never hear a bad word against him–apart from the calls by opponents that he pushes the offside line. But as Richie himself will say “yeah but I’m just doing what I can like everyone else”.
The announcement is very widely being projected as a ‘retirement speech’ but for this reporter, McCaw will not be making a speech. That is not in his character. He will likely make a clear decision on his International playing future to (a) create a succession plan for the captaincy and (b) for his blindside flanker position, that should be assigned to firstly his Vice Captain Kieran Read and in Sam Cane, the nominated ‘next best’ flanker from the World Champion squad.
McCaw has held the flanker role since his debut in 2002, with only times away from the game due to injury allowing anyone else to assume that role. As a player, he is at the apex of his position and for some, could continue to do so but only for the calls that there is no better time to walk away from the sport now that he is the most capped International Rugby player of all time. His 148 test caps are by far his biggest achievement in such a ferocious sport, his longevity in such a damaging role that over 14 years of domestic rugby, it has not blunted his enthusiasm.
So with the announcement pending, I myself will be happy whatever Richie McCaw thinks is best for him, for the team and for the jersey because that is what has driven him while he has been in the team.
An All Black only ever holds the jersey for a limited time. They embolden the mana [legacy] of the All Blacks but like all the greats; think Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky or Sir Steven Redman, the final decision in the end must be the most difficult one to make.
Personally, and possibly selfishly, I would like to see a World Rugby testimonial match between the Richie McCaw led New Zealand Barbarians team versus a World XV selection. That would bring some of the legendary players during his career together in a celebration of All Blacks the player and demonstrate the respect he has throughout the sporting world.
What I am most glad of, is that these last four years have seen McCaw retain his aura as the best flanker of this generation. The best International captain too with a recent record that is unparalleled. That tops off the legacy of not only McCaw, but also Daniel Carter, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith.
Whatever the announcement is, the worlds media will report it with much fuss and many plaudits. But just as he has done for the last 14 years, McCaw will be his bashful, abrasive self. He is never brash, never selfish and will always be remembered by many as ‘the very best player that New Zealand rugby has ever produced’.
