Richie McCaw could have become Sir Richie after leading the All Blacks to World Cup glory. Instead, he chose a different honour.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key raised the idea of a knighthood after McCaw captained All Blacks to the 2011 World Cup.
As the British & Irish Lions reported at the time, McCaw felt it was not right while he was still playing.
Key said: “He made the call that he’s still in his playing career and it didn’t feel quite right for him.”
No formal offer was eventually made. But the conversation has long been seen as McCaw turning down the chance to become Sir Richie.
He then led the All Blacks to another World Cup in 2015, McCaw was asked again about a knighthood. As RUCK previously explained, he felt he was too young for such a title.
“I’m still pretty young, so to have a title like that, I don’t know whether that’s the right thing just yet.”
Instead, McCaw became a Member of the Order of New Zealand in 2016. This is the country’s highest honour and is limited to 20 living members at any one time.
He later said the honour “sat more comfortably” with him.
“You can’t get any bigger than this.”
Five Richie McCaw facts you might not know
A couple of facts you didn't know...
He became the youngest member of New Zealand’s top honour
Richie McCaw was 35 when he received the Order of New Zealand. The exclusive group includes Sir Edmund Hillary and filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson.
He is a qualified helicopter pilot
After retiring from rugby, Richie McCaw earned his commercial helicopter licence. He is also a director and shareholder in Christchurch Helicopters.
He scored five tries in one World Cup match
Richie McCaw crossed five times as New Zealand hammered Canada 68-6 at the 2003 World Cup. Not bad for a flanker.
He captained the All Blacks 110 times
He played 148 Tests for New Zealand and led the side in 110 of them — an All Blacks record.
He was once dubbed a “travelling nanny”
McCaw’s wife, Gemma, played international hockey for the Black Sticks.
During one of her tours, he travelled with their daughter Charlotte — and New Zealand’s Governor-General described him as Gemma’s “travelling nanny”.
