New Zealand rugby legend Richie McCaw has kept himself very busy since retiring.

13:01, 09 Sep 2025Updated 13:02, 09 Sep 2025

Richie McCaw has trimmed down since retiring from rugby. (Image: Richie McCaw on Instagram. )

Rugby legend Richie McCaw has temporarily joined the All Blacks‘ coaching staff ahead of their Rugby Championship rematch against the Springboks this weekend. Scott Robertson’s side defeated South Africa at Eden Park last weekend in a nail-biting Test match, but Rassie Erasmus’ side will be out for revenge on match day four.

In anticipation of the ‘Bok desire to hit back at their biggest rivals, New Zealand have called in one of the greatest ever flankers in McCaw. The ex-Crusaders star won two World Cups as captain of the famous All Blacks side, in 2011 and 2015. New Zealand drew on the emotion of Ardie Savea earning his 100th cap last weekend, and they’ll have another boost for the rematch with an icon of the game in camp.

Centre Quinn Tupaea has been especially influenced by McCaw’s presence.

“We need to go to another level,” said Tupaea.

“There was a lot of emotion last week, given the occasion with Ardie and Eden Park, so we have got Richie in camp this week.

“We are drawing a bit of inspiration from him and the history there. It’s pretty crazy seeing him in the environment; it’s the first time I’ve met him. He just gives us confidence, gives us some inspiration.”

McCaw is now 44, and retired from the game following the 2015 World Cup triumph. He won 148 caps for New Zealand and was skipper for 131 of them.

A titan of the game in his pomp, this also demanded the bulkier, rugby physique we are accustomed to seeing in modern rugby.

However, since the back-row legend hung up his boots, he’s slimmed down considerably now that he’s not required to bury his head into rucks anymore.

Reports suggest that McCaw has trimmed 20kg (three stone) since he called it a day a decade ago. This weight loss has been aided by his passion for cardio.

He’s big on cycling, and often posts to his Instagram, and rides for charity events. Back in April, the ex-All Black rode for the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter and Lakes District Air Rescue Trust from Queenstown to Invercargill.

However, just 11 weeks ago, McCaw was spotted in the gym, proving he’s still got it.

Posting to Instagram, he wrote: “Great weekend with the lads for Matariki with a bit of fitness testing, just for fun 😉 Still plenty of competitiveness just under the surface.”

Pictures show him completing deadlifts and squats, as well as a multitude of cardio activities.

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McCaw’s day-to-day life sees him flying helicopters as a commercial pilot.

It started out as a simple hobby, which involved working as an instructor, too. However, McCaw, often a hero on the field in his playing days, was forced to produce a heroic act nine years ago.

Barely a year after he hung up his boots, New Zealand town Kaikoura experienced an earthquake, prompting pilot McCaw to help deliver crucial humanitarian aid.

Working alongside charities, the ex-rugby star flew back and forth to deliver supplies, medical equipment and resources to those affected in the South Island coastal town.

“I took the fire crew up just to make sure everyone was OK in the houses and the roads that were stuck there,” he said.

His acts of kindness didn’t stop there, though.

One year later, he volunteered as a firefighter during the 2017 Christmas Day fire in Canterbury. McCaw piloted one of the five helicopters deployed to the scene in Hororata, with 20 fire trucks providing support.

McCaw’s partner Gemma Flynn posted a picture of her family stood in front of the helicopter, with McCaw in a fire-fighting boiler suit.

Her post read: “Merry Christmas from Mr & Mrs McClaus. Santa was out fighting fires but arrived home in time for tea.”