All Blacks' talisman McCaw, the master of dark arts

Three times world player of the year, World Cup winning captain, the world's most capped Test player -- there is little 34-year-old Richie McCaw hasn't done, except confirm his retirement.

The All Blacks talisman has fuelled talk about stepping aside after the World Cup saying: "probably the likelihood is" but his mindset has been solely on the next game rather than indicate the end is nigh.

"It's going to be a reality at some point. But, one thing I haven't allowed myself to get caught up in that because I really want to be trying to go out and train as hard as I can to play well on Saturday.

"When you keep that focus you don't get caught up in those 'what might bes' or whatever."

After 15 years at the top, the man they call GOAT -- Greatest Of All Time -- goes into his last campaign with an outstanding record of 142 Tests, 125 won, two drawn and a mere 15 losses.

At the breakdown he is a master of the dark arts, unrivalled at scavenging turnovers, drawing frequent accusations of cheating and Springbok lock Victor Matfield claims referees let McCaw "get away with murder" at the contact area.

McCaw dismisses such comment as "same old, same old" but does admit to pushing the boundaries to see what he can get away with.

He emerged on the international scene in 2001, making the All Blacks end-of-year northern tour after just eight minutes of Super rugby for the Canterbury Crusaders.

He was first named All Blacks captain in 2004 at just 23 years of age, and in 2012 became the first rugby player to achieve 100 test victories.

Ahead there is one more for target for McCaw to add to his already impressive legend -- to become the first skipper to win consecutive World Cups.

"We're not going there to defend it because this isn't the same side that won it four years ago," he emphasises.

"Like everyone else you're back at the start line and it's whoever makes the best of the seven (games) and you're only guaranteed four."

And for all he has achieved before, McCaw is excited about the upcoming challenge.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen describes McCaw as a special player.

"What makes him extraordinary is his ability to play not just 142 tests, someone else will get there I'm sure ... but it's the quality of his performances in 142 tests," Hansen said when he overtook Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll as the most capped player.

"I don't think he's had a bad one. In his very first test he was player of the day and you could give him player of the day just about every time he plays."

McCaw, who dropped the ball with his first touch in his debut against Ireland in 2001, is regarded as a national treasure in New Zealand where he played with a broken foot to lead the All Blacks to victory over France in the 2011 World Cup final.

By the end of the tournament his Test tally should be somewhere between 147 and 149, tantalisingly close to the 150 milestone and with the door "probably" but not definitely shut on on his career.
Source: AFP