richie mccaw

Richard Hugh "Richie" McCaw (born December 31, 1980 in Oamaru) is one of the world's top rugby players. 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. McCaw was born and raised in Otago. His grandfather, Jim, flew for the Allies over England during Second World War. Richie 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.