A tribute to one of the all-time greatest rugby players, former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.

He has retired from all rugby, but Richie McCaw is still uncomfortable at the thought of being called "Sir Richie".

The world's most capped international turned down a knighthood after the 2011 Rugby World Cup telling Prime Minister John Key the time was not right.

There is speculation now that he has won a second World Cup and retired, he will be knighted in the New Year's Honours.

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However, the now former All Blacks captain, who announced his retirement on Thursday, said he was still not comfortable with the thought.

"I don't know," he said on TV3's Story when asked whether he would accept a knighthood.

"My view has not changed a whole lot. I'm pretty young in the scheme of things and having a Sir attached to your name at the moment does not feel at all comfortable."

Stuff.co.nz Richie McCaw announced his retirement today following back to back World Cup wins.

McCaw announced his retirement at New Zealand Rugby headquarters in Wellington, saying he would now pursue his love of flying.

McCaw said the decision was not easy to make as he loved playing rugby and the announcement timing was difficult following the death of All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu.

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McCaw said he had thought long and hard about this year being his last, but he didn't want to make that 100 per cent certain because he didn't want that to affect his performance for the All Blacks, particularly at the World Cup.

"I wanted to leave the door creaked open a little bit and I think that was the right thing to do," McCaw said.

The 34-year-old would now work with the Christchurch helicopter company he has been involved with recently.

1 of 24 Where it all began: one of the most decorated careers in world rugby started with a test against the Irish at Lansdowne Road in Dublin. 2 of 24 Following his 2001 All Blacks debut against Ireland, McCaw was named both the New Zealand Rugby Football Union Under-21 and Air New Zealand NPC Division One Player of the Year. 3 of 24 McCaw comes to the rescue of Irish referee David McHugh during the Tri Nations test against the Springboks in in Durban 2002. McHugh was attacked by a pitch invader and suffered a dislocated shoulder. 4 of 24 GETTY IMAGES McCaw bundles in with All Black great Jonah Lomu during training in 2002, who tragically and unexpectedly lost his life after a battle with illness on November 18. 5 of 24 McCaw received international acclaim later in 2002 after scooping the IRB's Newcomer of the Year award. 6 of 24 McCaw performs the haka alongside fellow All Black Byron Kelleher before the second British and Irish Lions test in 2005. McCaw starred in a 48-18 trouncing of the tourists. 7 of 24 GETTY IMAGES 2006 was a landmark year for McCaw. After securing a third Super Rugby title in five years with the Crusaders, McCaw was named All Blacks captain and was congratulated by Prime Minister Helen Clark for leading New Zealand to Bledisloe and Tri Nations glory against Australia at Eden Park. 8 of 24 The plaudits continued to flow later in 2006 as the All Blacks captain was named IRB International Player of the Year. 9 of 24 GETTY IMAGES At the double: McCaw follwed up the All Blacks' 2006 Bledisloe and Tri Nations triumph by repeating the feat the following year. 10 of 24 GETTY IMAGES But it wasn't all smiles in 2007: McCaw tries to to hide his disappointed after the All Blacks crashed out to hosts France in the World Cup quarter-finals in Cardiff in 2007. 11 of 24 GETTY IMAGES Crusaders captain McCaw celebrates his fourth Super Rugby triumph in seven years after overcoming the Waratahs in Christchurch in 2008. 12 of 24 GETTY IMAGES After a first 'grand slam' in 2005, McCaw's second came in 2008. Pictured here with Brad Thorn following their Tri Nations triumph against the Springboks, McCaw also enjoyed domestic glory with Canterbury and the Crusaders. 13 of 24 GETTY IMAGES A moment to savour as McCaw embraces All Blacks coach Graham Henry following their World Cup triumph on home soil in 2011. 14 of 24 GETTY IMAGES McCaw salutes the Eden Park crowd after a nervy 8-7 victory over France to eventually get his hands on the Web Ellis trophy. 15 of 24 GETTY IMAGES Collective joy and individual achievement in 2014: not only did McCaw lead the All Blacks to yet another Tri Nations victory but also became the player with the 'most test tries by a forward from a tier-one nation' (24) as well as claiming the 'most tries by any player against a tier-one opponent' (11 versus Australia). 16 of 24 GETTY IMAGES Here's looking at you: an emotional night for All Blacks and Crusaders team-mates McCaw and Dan Carter after their final Super Rugby match together on home turf. 17 of 24 GETTY IMAGES Dressed to impress the locals: McCaw led the All Blacks to Samoa for their first ever test in the Pacific Island nation in July 2015. 18 of 24 GETTY IMAGES McCaw's final match on New Zealand soil came with victory over the Australians at Eden Park to lift the famous Bledisloe Cup once again. 19 of 24 HANDOUT McCaw's final pre-game haka ahead of the All Blacks' clash with Australia in this year's victorious World Cup final. 20 of 24 WORLD RUGBY McCaw holds the Webb Ellis trophy aloft following a rampant victory over Australia at Twickenham to win the All Blacks' third World Cup. 21 of 24 GETTY IMAGES Amid long-standing rumours he's in line for a knighthood, McCaw is congratulated by Prime Minister John Key after the World Cup final at Twickenham. 22 of 24 GETTY IMAGES McCaw meets his admirers after the All Blacks touched down in Auckland following their World Cup glory. 23 of 24 GETTY IMAGES Thousands took the streets to catch a glimpse of McCaw and the Webb Ellis trophy as the All Blacks held parades in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. 24 of 24 GETTY IMAGES Bowing out: McCaw parades the Webb Ellis trophy through Wellington to mark the end of World Cup celebrations and a career that inspired a generation.

"I am heavily involved in the Christchurch Helicopters company, they are great people and I'm excited about the opportunities there," McCaw said.

"Aviation is something I'm passionate about, I'm going to carry on flying and work towards getting my commercial pilot licence."

The retiring All Blacks captain would also have more time to invest in charity work.

Phil Walter/ Getty Images All Blacks captain Richie McCaw ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup victory parade in Wellington.

"The iSport Foundation charity, which I set up with Dan Carter and Ali Williams, also gives us the opportunity to help talented teenagers reach their potential in their chosen sport, which is a cool way for us to give back.



"I'm now really excited about starting the next chapter of my life. I'm looking forward to the future and what it may hold."

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WINNING FINISH

McCaw had held back on confirming his departure from the game after the World Cup victory in London on October 31 to allow the All Blacks to get their due recognition.

He didn't want his personal decision to overshadow the team's achievement after the All Blacks became the first side to win back-to-back titles, adding to their 2011 glory on New Zealand soil.

McCaw captained both those campaigns and had the pleasure of seeing New Zealand become the first country to win three World Cups following the inaugural success in 1987.

It was a proud way to end his illustrious career.

"I'm hanging up my boots … it's the end of my rugby days … my last game as an All Black and as a professional rugby player was winning the World Cup final," McCaw said.

He said he had thought long and hard about this year being his last, but he didn't want to make that 100 per cent certain because he didn't want that to affect his performance for the All Blacks, particularly at the World Cup.

He said he realised he would come home to New Zealand with feelings based on the World Cup – "either really disappointed or really happy".

He was thrilled it was the happy ending.

But he said he had delayed his retirement announcement because he didn't want to overshadow the team effort that had captured historic back to back titles and New Zealand's third World Cup.

"I wanted to make sure it was about the team and not the individual," he said.

He said he left satisfied.

"I also felt like I played some of my best rugby at the World Cup," he said, adding that he didn't want to go out "limping across the line".

"I think I have got the timing right."

ALL TIME GREAT

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew was among the first to congratulate McCaw on his stellar career.

"Richie has been the most influential player of his generation, if not of all time," Tew said.

"His playing statistics tell the story, but Richie has also made a very significant contribution off the field as well, in his decade-plus career in New Zealand rugby.

"He cares greatly about the whole game and everyone involved in it. As an example, he was involved heavily in the collective bargaining process on behalf of the country's professional players to ensure their interests were looked after.

"He's been a sounding board for numerous players, coaches, administrators and others involved in this great game of ours.

"We wish him well in his retirement and the next phase of his life and while he's hanging up his boots, we know he'll stay involved in rugby one way or another in the future."

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen congratulated McCaw on behalf of the world champion team.

"All this success couldn't have happened to a better bloke and we wish him all the very best for the future," Hansen said.

"In my opinion, he will go down not only as the greatest All Black of all time, but the greatest captain we have ever had and possibly the greatest player to have ever played the game in the modern era.

"To play 148 tests is something to be marvelled at on its own, particularly with the physical demands of the position he plays. But the more impressive thing about those 148 games is the quality of the performances he produced.

"Having been involved in the majority of those test matches, I can't recall him ever playing a bad game.

"His ability as a leader will be something he will be remembered for. Leadership doesn't come to anyone naturally, it's a learned skill. After the adversity of 2007 and the criticism that came with that, Richie's mental toughness and desire to improve really shone through.

"It's those qualities that have made him, in my view, the greatest leader of the All Blacks of all time.

"He's been an inspiration to us all. Not only has he enhanced the jersey during his time, but he has left a lasting legacy that will be talked about by many people long after we're all gone. It's been an absolute pleasure to have shared the road with him."

He departs with global acknowledgement as the game's finest flanker, one of the best players of all time and as an outstanding leader as well as recognition of his humility despite his unprecedented success.

"He's the greatest skipper and greatest player the All Blacks and maybe the world has had," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.

McCaw's previous All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry said the Oamaru-born 34-year-old was "just unbelievable".

"He's a fabulous leader, intelligent, brave and inspirational. It's hard to find the right words. He has been absolutely fabulous. I think he's probably been the most influential rugby player of all time," Henry said.

PLAYING CAREER

McCaw played a record 148 tests from 2001 to 2015 and also played a game for the All Blacks against the Barbarians club in 2009.



He captained the All Blacks 111 times. He won 131 of the tests and played in two draws and 15 losses. He scored 27 tries.

McCaw played in four World Cups, losing a 2003 semifinal and 2007 quarterfinal before finding glory at the last two tournaments.

He was named world player of the year three times – in 2006, 2009 and 2010.

McCaw leaves with the New Zealand Rugby trophy cabinet bulging. During his captaincy he lifted the Bledisloe Cup 10 times, the Tri Nations trophy four times and the Rugby Championship three times.



He played tests against 18 different teams, including the British & Irish Lions, and on 39 different grounds. He only lost to four countries – Australia, South Africa, England and France.

McCaw has also played 145 Super Rugby games for the Crusaders since his 2001 debut. He also played 34 times for Canterbury since 1999.



The New Zealand captain's retirement follows the departures of other World Cup winning All Blacks.

Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock have also retired. Dan Carter (Racing 92), Ma'a Nonu (Toulon), Conrad Smith (Pau) and Colin Slade (Pau) have taken up contracts in France and Ben Franks has moved to British club London Irish.