After winning a successive two rugby world cups, All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has announced his retirement with immediate effect on Thursday.
The announcement comes in the awakening news of former New Zealand rugby player's passing, Jonah Lomu on Wednesday. Lomu died of kidney disease at age 40.
Richie McCaw: "I sit here today with no regrets over what I have done as rugby player. I think I played some of my best rugby over those last couple of weeks."
The 34 year-old, flanker is the most capped international rugby player in history with this year when he surpassed a record of 148th test and captain 110 matches(all- time record). McCaw won three World Rugby Player of the Year awards in 2006, 2009 and 2010. He also led New Zealand to successive world cup victories in 2011 an 2015. Recorded 97 wins, 11 defeats and 2 draws
"I am going to be hanging up my boots. My last game for the All Blacks and as a professional rugby player was the World Cup final a couple of weeks ago, "McCaw told a news conference in Wellington on Thursday. He made his Test debut in 2001 and was appointed captain in 2004. After a 15 year glittering career he's been hailed as the greatest rugby player of all time, and leaving behind a remarkable memorable legacy.
"We are very proud of him. He made all New Zealanders proud. You couldn't pick the right time to do this, everyone knows that you got to wait for the right time, " said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.
Meanwhile in South Africa: Legendary Springbok centre John Gainsford passed away on Wednesday morning, at age 77 following a long battle with cancer.
Source: SS Blitz
Today: Richie McCaw (image)at the press conference.
No comments:
Post a Comment