Richie McCaw: The numbers behind a historic global career

The 34-year-old’s record as a captain and as a player is without precedent.

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

“My last game was the World Cup final, so the end of something that has been a big part of my life”, he said.

McCaw said lining up beside him on his global debut in Ireland was one of the highlights of his 148-Test career as he had worshipped the player since the 1995 World Cup in South Africa.

Fitzpatrick doesn’t expect McCaw to take up a coaching position but believes he will be involved in New Zealand rugby in some shape of form.

His decision came the day after the unexpected death of Jonah Lomu at the age of 40 had rocked the rugby-mad country.

148: The amount of times McCaw played for the All Blacks. “There’s no doubt the boys go out and play next year, I’m going to be feeling like I wish I was out there, but I also know it’s the right time to move on”.

McCaw had never fully confirmed 2015 would serve as his final professional season despite the overwhelming belief it would, and the most-capped player of all time explained why he had chosen to keep the door ajar – albeit slightly. The airline has also been a partner of the All Blacks for over 20 years.

He follows fellow All Black legend Dan Carter into global retirement, but unlike Carter will not continue playing club rugby. To say he is the greatest All Black ever is an apt description of a man who gave everything he had to the game we all love.

Others simply thanked McCaw for his remarkable contribution to the sport.

The tributes have been pouring in for Jonah Lomu in recent days, after the former All-Blacks winger passed away.

“You’ve got to pick the right time to go and he couldn’t have picked a better time”, he added.

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

As a Kiwi looking at the prospects for 2016, I have faith Steve Hansen and co. won’t have an extreme problem, as people are making the exodus of All Black greats out to be.

He was not named last month in the Canterbury Super Rugby squad for 2016, but New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and the Crusaders said there was space for him if he chose to play on.