McCaw’s Re-Signing Keeps ‘Most Influential’ Rugby Player in New Zealand
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, the openside flanker described by national team coach Graham Henry as the world’s “most influential” rugby player, re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union through 2015.
McCaw, 30, recommitted to his country and the Canterbury Crusaders Super 15 team with a four-year contract that will allow him to take a playing sabbatical or a complete break from the sport if desired, the Wellington-based NZRU said.
“I’ve always said that as long as I am enjoying playing footy in New Zealand then I will stay, and the fact is I still am,” McCaw said in an e-mailed statement. “There are still things I want to achieve as a player.”
McCaw, the only three-time winner of the International Rugby Board’s Player of the Year award, follows All Blacks and Crusaders fly-half Dan Carter in re-signing for another four years while retaining the option of a playing stint with an overseas club.
As captain and playmaker of the All Blacks, McCaw and Carter are “a common denominator in much of the success,” over the past eight years, NZRU Chief Executive Officer Steve Tew said. Since Carter joined McCaw in the lineup in 2003, the team has won 88 percent of the 51 Tests in which they both featured.
“That alone shows how invaluable they are to New Zealand rugby so to have both players continuing with us for the next four years is fantastic news,” Tew said in the statement.
Player Retention
The union has now re-signed 21 Test players as it seeks to maintain its stocks beyond the Sept. 9-Oct. 23 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Winger Joe Rokocoko, the All Blacks’ joint- second highest try-scorer in Tests, is among those leaving after yesterday confirming that he’ll join French club Bayonne on a two-year contract at the end of 2011.
McCaw said although his interest in an overseas playing spell was minimal, another four years at the elite level in a position that demands strength and mobility “is a long time.”
“If I get burnt out it gives me a chance to take a break,” McCaw, who made his All Blacks debut as a 20-year-old in 2001, said at a news conference in Christchurch.
McCaw holds the joint record of 94 All Blacks Test appearances with Mils Muliaina and has captained his country a record 57 times for 50 wins, an 87.7 percent success rate. At provincial level, he led the Crusaders to Super Rugby titles in 2005, 2006 and 2008.
“Richie McCaw is the most influential player in world rugby right now,” said All Blacks coach Henry. “His on-field impact is immense, he’s an outstanding player who leads and inspires others by his actions.”
To contact the reporter on this story: Dan Baynes in Sydney at dbaynes@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Christopher Elser at celser@bloomberg.net.
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