Richie McCaw's Stunning Transformation: How He's Changed Physically and Personally
Rugby NewsFriday, 11 October 2024 at 15:35
Richie McCaw, the double World Cup-winning flanker and rugby legend, hung up his boots in 2015, just three weeks after lifting the trophy against Australia.
Since then, he’s made a complete break from the sport, swapping tackles for turbines as he dives headfirst into a career in aviation.
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Flying High in Humanitarian Efforts
What started as a hobby quickly transformed into a calling when the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake struck New Zealand.
McCaw jumped into action, flying helicopters to deliver crucial supplies and medical aid. "I took the fire crew up just to make sure everyone was okay in the houses and the roads that were stuck there," he recalled.
Not one to back down, he also volunteered as a firefighter during a Christmas Day blaze in Canterbury, proving that even former rugby stars can don a fireman’s helmet!
Sculpting a New Physique
Since leaving rugby behind, McCaw has embraced a healthier lifestyle, shedding much of the muscle mass that once made him a formidable force on the field.
By focusing on cardio, he has reportedly lost up to 20kg (more than three stone), transforming into a leaner version of himself. Who knew that after rugby, he’d be as dedicated to fitness as he was to the All Blacks?
Adventures Beyond the Pitch
But McCaw’s adventures don’t stop at flying! An avid cyclist and runner, he recently joined Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas on a challenging 180-mile ride.
And in April, he and partner Gemma Flynn welcomed their third daughter, Ella Mae, adding to their family which includes Charlotte and Grace.
Richie McCaw’s all-time rugby dream team is something special
McCaw, born on December 31, 1980, in Oamaru, New Zealand, is a legendary former rugby player widely regarded as one of the greatest openside flankers in the history of the sport.
Captaining the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, from 2006 to 2015, McCaw led them to two Rugby World Cup victories.
Known for his exceptional leadership, tenacity, and skill, he remains an iconic figure in rugby, earning numerous accolades and leaving an indelible mark on the game.
Extracted from a series of interviews, here is our interpretation of how his dream team would be arranged.
RICHIE MCCAW DREAM TEAM:
BACK-THREE:
- 15. Christian Cullen (New Zeland)
- 14. Julian Savea (New Zealand)
- 11. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
McCawon Lomu: “When I first became an All Black he was in the team. To play alongside a guy you have watched as a young fella was pretty amazing. He made me look silly in training more than once.
"He is one of the absolute superstars of rugby. If you go to somewhere where rugby is perhaps not well known then the one guy they do know is Jonah. It's really sad that he's passed away at age 40. He was a legend of the All Blacks and a legend of rugby."
CENTRES:
- 13. Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)
- 12. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
McCaw on Wilkinson: "He'll go down as one of the greats of world rugby."
HALFBACKS:
- 10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
- 9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
McCaw on Carter: "There are a lot of good players but the guys who did it for a long time and that I've been lucky to play with is Dan Carter. In the final, he was sensational and he's been great for a long time. So to be able to play with him for the years I've been playing was pretty cool."
FRONT-ROW:
- 1. Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)
- 2. Dane Coles (New Zealand)
- 3. Olo Brown (New Zealand)
McCaw on Woodcock: "If you're looking for a night out, stay away from Tony Woodcock or go and see Tony Woodcock. He's been on the same team as me since I was 18, we played in age grade together."
SECOND-ROW:
- 4. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
- 5. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
BACK-ROW:
- 6. Richard Hill (England)
- 7. Schalk Burger (South Africa)
- 8. George Smith (Australia)
McCaw on Hill: “Extremely gifted player who had all the ability in the world. When England needed someone to dig in he was your man. He had the full tool bag and quietly got on with it.”
McCaw on Smith: Speaking in a Q+A with World Rugby, McCaw's revealed former Wallabies flanker George Smith as the one he feared most on the field, saying Smith "was always pretty tough".
“I remember playing him when I was in the under 19s against Australia and remember then thinking just what a good player he is.”
McCaw on Burger: "You can come up against another tough team but never feel like you have had a tough match against your opposite. But with Burger you knew where they are going to be and how hard they play near the ball."
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