If your local betting agency is offering odds on McCaw's future get in there. A lot of speculation about what, no buts about it, the greatest rugby player there has ever been is going to do post world cup. It's long been well documented that King Richie has no ambitions to cash in, even for one season, on the the lucrative French market. Certainly nobody would begrudge him that, and personally seems a strange decision as nobody would even look at it as McCaw filling up his pockets with French euro, but a chance at another playing and life experience before hanging up the boots. After all, you're a long time dead and though Richie certainly wouldn't have any troubles finding would be sponsors to pay for a globe trotting lifestyle attending rugby matches and tournaments everywhere, every rugby player knows being in the mix is a complete other world.
Long live the King
Not many AB captains have been known nationally by their first names. Tana would have been the first and and Richie the second. Captain Fantastic and King Richie. Picked as a 20 yr old by John Mitchell (at least he got something right) for the end of year 2001 tour amid criticism, McCaw went on to claim the MoM award in his first ever international and played all 3 tests that tour and only 1 season later was voted Newcomer of the Year by the International Rugby Players Association. He'd go on to win 6 NPC trophies with Canterbury, 4 Super titles (as well as 4 losing finals and 5 semis), and 9 Tri Nations/Rugby Championships, and to date, 1 World Cup. Without this coming season he has 120 All Black victories (and 2 draws from 136 matches) and has captained the ABs more than a staggering 100 times. He may be slowing up but he has evolved. His effect on the match is no less such is his experience added to the mana he holds with the match officials.
Untouchable:2 yellow cards in 13 years of international rugby
This is a guy who could travel the world on his laurels but seems that doesn't sit right with him. Remember this is a guy who turned down a royal wedding invite and a knighthood because rugby came first. It's all of this that makes me come to one conclusion. Is Richie going to cash in on a one off season in Europe lapping up French wine and the Mediterannean sun on the Côte d'Azur? No, he isn't. Is he going to sign on for the NZRU in some type of mentor role? A possibility, definitely hard to see him letting go 100%. Or has Hansen put out a call to arms? Woodcock, Mealamu, Carter, Conrad Smith, Nonu.....all gone post cup. Plus a number of fringe players. It will be one of the biggest rebuilds ever for the All Blacks despite Hansen's neverending effort at building depth and experience. The 2016 All Blacks will need Richie more than ever before. The NZRU are going to front up with the biggest contract they have ever undertaken, place it under their captain's nose and tell him the fate of the nation depends on him. And Richie won't be able to say no. One more year to bring through the new brigade. To expose them to that "no man left behind" culture that has developed with McCaw at the helm. The NZRU will ramp it up and Richie is not able to leave the ABs in the lurch. 2016 All Black captain, Richie McCaw 150 test matches.
Had to find a place for this one
