Richie McCaw

Richard Hugh "Richie" McCaw (born December 31 1980 in Oamaru) is a New Zealand rugby union player. He is the current captain of the All Blacks, playing as openside flanker. McCaw plays for Canterbury in the Air New Zealand Cup (formerly the National Provincial Championship, or NPC) and the Crusaders in Super Rugby.

Early life
McCaw was born and raised in Otago. His grandfather, Jim, flew for the Allies over England during Second World War.

McCaw started his rugby career as a seven year old and having moved 150km south to Dunedin in 1994 for boarding life at Otago Boys High School, he was selected for the 1st XV. He made an impression as he was selected for both Under 19 and Under 21 National sides.

It was in the secondary school rugby final in 1998 against Rotorua Boys High School where McCaw first made his name. He scored the only points for his team in a 5-5 draw. His playing talent earned him a scholarship to the Lincoln University rugby programme in Christchurch. He accepted the offer and made the move to Christchurch to study agriculture at Lincoln University. This allowed him to be selected for both the Canterbury NPC side, and then the Crusaders Super 12 team. At the age of 20, he was selected for the All Blacks tour, making his debut against the Irish where he proved himself with a man of the match performance.

2000s
In 2004 McCaw was appointed captain of the Canterbury NPC team. Although a head injury plagued his season, he was fit in time to guide his team through to NPC glory. He was appointed the All Black's 60th Test captain against Wales in late 2004. In 2005, he was given the captaincy duties by coach Robbie Deans for the Super 12. Head injuries again kept him from playing part of the season, however he returned to lift the Super 12 trophy with victory over the NSW Waratahs in the season final.

On 13 May 2006, the day after McCaw's Crusaders won the right to host an inaugural Super 14 semifinal with a 33-3 win over the Brumbies, McCaw was officially announced by Graham Henry as All Black captain. McCaw was appointed to replace Tana Umaga who had officially stepped down from the role and announced his retirement from international rugby at the start of the 2006 season. It was long expected by the media and the public that McCaw would take the role following Umaga's retirement, having filled the vice-captain role under Umaga. McCaw's form was recognized by the International Rugby Board in 2005, as he made the five-man shortlist for the organization's World Player of the Year award, an honour won by teammate Daniel Carter. McCaw is widely regarded as the world's best openside flanker.

On November 21 2006, in a clean sweep for New Zealand McCaw won the International Rugby Players' Association (IRPA) 2006 player of the year award. New Zealand won the team award and McCaw's teammate Jason Eaton won the newcomer of the year award. He has also won the 2006 IRB World Player of the year award as well as the top New Zealand sportsperson at the People's Choice Sports Award. 

Other sporting activities
McCaw went solo in a glider at Omarama in 2006.