Rugby in New Zealand is considered as an integral part of life, such as football in Brazil, or cricket in India. That is why in those places rugby players are so respected that even the prime minister of this country suggested knighting Richie McCaw, since he is the best player in the last ten years. Undoubtedly, he would have looked great in this status, because his height is 188 centimeters, and weight is 106 kilograms. In this state, he is considered not just an excellent athlete, but a real national hero.
Family and childhood
The great-great-grandfather of the famous rugby player immigrated to New Zealand at the end of the nineteenth century, settling in Seven Otago, where the McCaw family still lives. Richie was born on New Year's Eve, as a real New Year's gift. This happened in Oamaru on December 31, 1980.
The future athlete spent his childhood with his sister on a family farm. In those years, the boy was very keen on gliding and flying with his grandfather, who shot down enemy shells during the Second World War. This hobby remained in the adult life of the youngest of the McCaw family. Richie even managed to get the title of Honorary Squadron Commander.
The boy became interested in playing rugby in the city of Karow, where he became part of a small team, but it did not cause him serious perception. And only in the early nineties after enrolling in a specialized school where only boys studied, did Richie begin to perceive the hobby differently.
After graduation, the future athlete played already in the main team of the school. Just then they paid attention to him, but he still did not manage to enter the national team for high school students, and he went on to continue his studies at a university located in Christchurch. There he enrolled in a faculty specializing in agriculture, and also continued to develop his career, fully focused on the game of rugby.
How did it all start?
Since 1999, the young man has been a member of the national team. He became simply an integral part of it and helped to win the world championship in Wales.
Further, McCaw's career developed very rapidly. Richie has already participated in provincial championships of national importance as part of Canterbury, where he spent a whole season, as a result of which he became captain of the youth team.
The young athlete first played for the national team at the age of twenty. His debut at the international level in the All Blacks took place in 2001, when there was a match between Ireland and New Zealand. Despite being a rookie and debutant, little known to McCaw, Richie was nevertheless recognized as the best player in this match.
In 2006, thanks to his wonderful game and perseverance, the well-known rugby player was made captain of the national team and did not lose. In the same year, New Zealand won the Cup of Three Nations, beating even Argentina in the match. Undoubtedly, the best captain of the team was Richie McCaw. Collins, then playing for his country, could not prove himself properly.
In 2007, All Black was defeated, and everyone thought that Richie would leave the team as captain, but he continued his work and extended the contract for another two years. He did it not in vain, since in 2008 the team regained the primacy and the coveted Cup.
Then the athlete received a severe leg injury, and it took him some time to heal and recover, but he again returned as captain to the national team of his country, as a result of which they won another grandiose victory in 2012.
Completion of a stellar career
In the fall of 2015, rugby legend Ritchie McCaw gave a press conference where he stated that it was time to finally finish his athlete’s career and “hang his boots on a nail”.
The last athlete game was in the World Cup. This is the end of something very important in his life and the beginning of a new stage.
Subsequently, he signed a three-year contract with the insurance company American International Group and became their global ambassador.
Athlete's personal life
This male legend has never been married, but in his life many have succeeded his companions Richie McCaw. Photos from 2009 show that his bride was the famous dancer Haley Holt, who participated in many reality shows. But for some reason, the couple did not reach the altar, and in 2011 the public started talking about the new choice of rugby player: it was New Zealand journalist Nicholas Grieg.
Ritchie McCaw’s ideal parameters: height, weight, muscle and manly appearance - made him the most desirable and enviable bridegroom in 2012 according to a survey of a fashion magazine, which was conducted among the female half of the country's population.
Hobbies and hobbies
Richie McCaw is an active public figure and is trying to help everyone in need. He often becomes the organizer of many charity events, fundraising in support, and more.
From early childhood he is fond of small aircraft and helicopters, he is even a real pilot who has all the necessary licenses for this. In 2009, on his initiative and after lengthy persuasion of representatives of the New Zealand Discovery, so that they would give permission for this project, a show about gliding was shot, where he also starred as a pilot.
Interesting Facts
It turns out that playing for the New Zealand national team, he was the richest rugby player in the whole world, as his fee was $ 750,000 per year.
Richie also received the title of champion as captain of his team, which brought her to the field more than a hundred times. Not a single rugby player on the entire planet has yet been able to repeat this.
Richie McCaw is considered the most successful All Black captain, with him the team won about 90 percent of victories and only 10 defeats.
In 2011, the athlete was honored to receive an invitation to the wedding of the crowned persons. It's about Prince William and Catherine Middleton. However, he was forced to reject the offer, as he was recovering from a leg injury.
This legendary rugby player, it turns out, also plays a wonderful bagpipe, and also owns shares of sixteen different business companies.