Where Are They Now: The Six All Blacks Who Left International Rugby After the 2015 Rugby World Cup
Rugby NewsFriday, 12 May 2023 at 10:34
The 2015 Rugby World Cup marked the end of an era for the All Blacks, and the rugby world as a whole.
It was a historic moment that signified a passing of the torch to the next wave of New Zealand stars, as six of the all time greatest players to ever pull on a black jersey, retired from their international duties.
Some of them continued to play at club level, and some even remain active to this day. In this article we will take a look at what the six generation-defining stars decided to do, after the international curtain call eight years ago.
- Richie McCaw
Where else to start but with the two-time Rugby World Cup winning captain. Arguably the greatest player of all time, McCaw steered the ship, for the All Blacks to retain the Web Ellis trophy on New Zealand's home soil.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Richie McCaw of New Zealand lifts the trophy after victory during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on October 31, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
McCaw retired from all aspects of rugby after the final whistle, and ended his club career with the Crusaders. A passionate pilot and experienced glider, the former flanker became a shareholder and director at Christchurch Helicopters.
McCaw obtained his helicopter license in early 2016, and was involved in numerous rescue missions during the Kaikoura earthquake, which devastated New Zealand’s southern island. This man truly is a patron of his country!
CARDIFF, WALES - OCTOBER 17: Captain Richie McCaw of the New Zealand All Blacks leads his team off the field after victory in the 2015 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final match between New Zealand and France at the Millennium Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Despite turning down a knighthood during his playing career, McCaw was awarded ‘The Order of New Zealand’ in the 2016 New Years Honours. This honour surpassed the knighthood, as it is the highest award to be bestowed by the government to a New Zealander, with only 20 living people allowed the title at any given time.
In 2019, World Rugby inducted McCaw into the Hall of Fame, and with such a decorated career, and as the All Blacks most-capped player (148 appearances) it is clear to see why.
2. Dan Carter
Carter retired from the All Blacks as the all time leading international points scorer, with 1,598 points scored between 2003 and 2015, averaging an astonishing 14.26 points per game! England’s Jonny Wilkinson is second, yet still sits over 300 points adrift of the greatest fly half to ever play the game.
After the 2015 RWC, Carter continued his playing career for Racing 92 in France. There he successfully lead the Parisian club to the Top 14 league title in 2016.
The Heineken European Champions Cup elapsed Carter twice during his tenure in France, falling short in his first season, as Racing 92 lost to Saracens in the final. And again, as Leinster narrowly bested Carter’s side two years later, earning him a second silver medal.
Carter left France in 2018, and begun a new chapter as one of the first All Blacks to break new ground in Japan. The 41-year-old joined the Kobelco Steelers, and he found immediate success in the Japan Top League.
Carter led the Osaka Bay side to the 2018/19 league title, before returning to Racing 92 a brief return run.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 04: Dan Carter announces he is joining the Blues at Blues HQ on June 04, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. Carter is joining the Blues for the 2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa Competition as injury cover for Stephen Perofeta. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Carter was called back to Paris, as their South African fly half Patrick Lambie was forced to retire after suffering multiple concussions. Carter remained with Racing 92 until the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the 2019/20 Top 14 season, and he returned home to New Zealand.
The legendary All Blacks fly half then linked up with the Auckland Blues for the 2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa competition, yet did not make an on-field appearance. Carter enjoyed a more coaching-focussed role for the competition, before he announced his retirement through social media on February 20th 2021.
3. Ma’a Nonu
An irreplaceable player in the All Blacks' centre, Nonu scored a fantastic try in his final international game, running in from 42m to put the World Cup title beyond all doubt for Australia. Similarly to Carter, Nonu moved onto to ventures in France, and signed for super-club Toulon.
Nonu was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit, for his services to rugby in the 2019 honours.
Despite joining Toulon after their European peak of three back-to-back Champions Cup titles, Nonu failed to obtain any silverware with the French side. Toulon finished runners-up in the Top 14, in Nonu's first two seasons at the club, with the centre then heading out 'stateside' to join San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Ma'a Nonu of the New Zealand All Blacks is tackled by Handre Pollard (l) and Francois Louw (6) of South Africa during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match between South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on October 24, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chris Lee - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
The All Blacks centurion has been paving the way for international stars in the USA, and continues to play consistently for the Legion. Nonu has also made four caps for the invitational East Coast side, who battle against the best stars of the MLR's West Coast at the end of every season.
The 40-year-old has re-signed with the club for his third season, and has been awarded the captaincy for the 2023 campaign.
4. Conrad Smith
Nonu’s centre partner, who’s technical ability complimented the aforementioned centre's crash ball carrying. Considered to be the best centre partnership that the world had ever seen, Conrad Smith's international departure alongside his career-long teammate, left a huge gap in the All Blacks midfield.
Smith continued to play at club level after his international swansong, and like Nonu and Carter, he moved on to prospects in the French Top 14 division, as he signed for Pau untill 2018. However, despite pent-up speculation of a Super Rugby return, the former Hurricanes captain didn’t come back to play in New Zealand.
Smith decided to retire from playing after his contract ended with the Pyrénées-Atlantiques side. Most notably away from the pitch, Smith ventured into the boardroom as a player representative for the New Zealand Rugby Players Association.
5. Kevin Mealamu
The front row architect who orchestrated New Zealand's scrum dominance in both 2011 and 2015 winning finals, decided to call it a day on his playing career, in the same style to McCaw.
Mealamu always made his presence known, and even more so before the kick-off in his last ever match, as he led the ominous Haka in the 2015 final.
Mealamu retired from his playing days, by hanging up his boots for Auckland Blues, and deciding not to venture any further. He was appointed as a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2016 awards, and has since been relishing in retirement with family life.
6. Tony Woodcock
Veteran prop Woodcock also decided to never lace his boots again, by retiring from rugby at all levels since 2015. He didn't go out the way he planned to though, as unfortunate circumstances occurred. Woodcock suffered an injury during a pool-stage game against Tonga.
This ruled him out for the remainder of the competition, and he played no part in the final. Yet his career long contribution to the side was recognised, as he was awarded a winners medal.
A keen farmer, in retirement Woodcock now owns a deer farm in the region of Kaukapakapa.
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