Richie McCaw officially announces his retirement and pays tribute to Jonah Lomu

“Anyone who was living in New Zealand in the 1990s would not have failed to notice the massive impact Jonah Lomu had not only on sports fans but the wider community in this country”, Sports Minister Jonathan Coleman said.

His career is scattered with superlatives, including the highest number of tests by any player in rugby union history, and the most wins.

“I’m hanging up my boots having accomplished everything I could have ever dreamed about in the game”, McCaw said.

McCaw became the world’s most-capped player earlier this year when he surpassed the record of 141 test appearances held by retired Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll.

He first visited Worcester in 1999 as New Zealand prepared for the World Cup in Wales, where he finished as the tournament’s top try scorer with eight.

I was the coaching director for Counties Manukau at the time and have been credited as the man who discovered Jonah. A couple of things I have in mind.

Catt said Lomu “put me on the map”. It will be to my everlasting regret that we did not speak for the last few years of his life after a falling-out over nothing, but I will always cherish the memories of the times we had together, starting when I first clapped eyes on him when he was a 13-year-old playing for Wesley College. I don’t have any regrets.

After a disappointing 2007 World Cup quarter-final defeat to France in Cardiff, the All Blacks have gone on to win the next two World Cup’s giving McCaw legendary status.

McCaw was loved by his countrymen and loathed by his opponents as he racked up his tally of caps in the gruelling role of flanker.

“There are a lot of people round the world hurting at the loss of a great man”.

“When I became an All Black he was in the team”. We’ve been very fortunate to have a player like that.

The profile he garnered through his barely-believable prowess with ball in hand was used only for good right up until his death, with Lomu’s charity work with Unicef and Kidney Kids NZ remaining of utmost importance to him.

Retiring All Blacks captain Richie McCaw says one of the biggest thrills of his long career was playing alongside All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu.

Lomu played 63 times for the All Blacks, scoring 37 tries, and lit up the 1995 World Cup in South Africa. “He’s won more trophies and medals than any other player”.

Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver hailed him as one of the all-time greats of the game and the greatest ever All Blacks captain.

McCaw who captained the Kiwi side in 109 Tests, now looks forward to pursuing a helicopter pilot’s career with the Christchurch helicopter company. “It’s something I’m passionate about”. “It will never replace the thrill of running out in front of 80,000 but it is not far short of it”.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen sat alongside McCaw at the announcement and before detailing how proud he was of what McCaw achieved, he too took a moment to remember Lomu.