While Sir Steve Hansen was knighted in 2019 for his unparalleled success as the All Blacks\u2019 head coach, the conversation often shifts to Richie McCaw\u2014arguably New Zealand\u2019s greatest rugby player. Where is\u00a0his\u00a0knighthood?<\/p>\n
Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n McCaw, a two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain, chose a different path. After leading the All Blacks to World Cup glory in 2015, he became the youngest-ever member of the prestigious Order of New Zealand, limited to just 20 living members. Many argue this honour surpasses a knighthood.<\/p>\n \u201cIt didn\u2019t feel quite right\u201d<\/p>\n Back in 2011, after McCaw captained the All Blacks to a triumphant World Cup win on home soil, then-Prime Minister John Key revealed he\u2019d floated the idea of a knighthood. However, McCaw declined.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the end, the conclusion that he drew was that he would love to take it but now wasn\u2019t the right time,\u201d Key told RadioSport. \u201cHe made the call that he\u2019s still in his playing career and it didn\u2019t feel quite right for him.\u201d<\/p>\n Key confirmed no formal offer was made. \u201cWe didn\u2019t formally get to offer it to him in the sense that we knew if we offered it he wouldn\u2019t take it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know whether that\u2019s the right thing just yet\u201d<\/p>\n After securing back-to-back World Cup wins in 2015, Richie McCaw was again in the spotlight for a knighthood. Yet, he remained reluctant. Speaking to TVNZ after the tournament, McCaw said:<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m still pretty young, so to have a title [knighthood] like that, I don\u2019t know whether that\u2019s the right thing just yet.\u201d<\/p>\n At the 2016 investiture ceremony where he officially joined the Order of New Zealand, McCaw reiterated his decision, saying it \u201csat more comfortably\u201d with him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t get any bigger than this\u201d<\/p>\n Reflecting on his honours, Richie McCaw expressed no regrets about turning down a knighthood. \u201cYou can\u2019t get any bigger than this,\u201d he said of the Order of New Zealand.<\/p>\n For McCaw, staying grounded remained a priority: \u201cAt the end of the day, you\u2019re an ordinary Kiwi really. People expect you to behave like that \u2026 it\u2019s one of the things I\u2019ve always been strong on.\u201d<\/p>\n Book VIP Six Nations Packages, Hospitality and Premium Experiences from Seat Unique.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cA little embarrassing\u201d<\/p>\n As the youngest-ever recipient of the Order of New Zealand, McCaw admitted the accolade felt slightly awkward. \u201cI have had friends point that out to me,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n For now, the choice of whether he\u2019ll ever become \u201cSir Richie\u201d rests solely with McCaw himself. And knowing the man, he seems perfectly content as Richie McCaw\u2014rugby\u2019s greatest.<\/p>\n EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n \ud83d\udda4 Richie McCaw\u2019s Dream Team \u2013 Based on the Players He Admired Most<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd19\u00a0Back Three \u2013 Speed, Skill, and Power<\/p>\n 15. Christian Cullen (New Zealand) 14. Julian Savea (New Zealand) 11. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) \u201cWhen I first became an All Black he was in the team. To play alongside a guy you had watched as a young fella was pretty amazing. He made me look silly in training more than once. Lomu\u2019s passing at just 40 was deeply felt by McCaw, who described him as \u201ca legend of the All Blacks and a legend of rugby.\u201d<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfaf\u00a0Centres \u2013 Creativity and Control<\/p>\n 13. Ma\u2019a Nonu (New Zealand) 12. Jonny Wilkinson (England) \u201cHe\u2019ll go down as one of the greats of world rugby.\u201d CONTINUES ON PAGE\u00a0TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
The Paekakariki Express \u2013 pure attacking brilliance.
Cullen\u2019s elusive running and flair from fullback made him one of the most exciting players of his generation. McCaw has often praised the \u201cX-factor\u201d players who changed games \u2014 and Cullen certainly fits that description.<\/p>\n
Nicknamed \u201cThe Bus\u201d for a reason.
Savea bulldozed defenders throughout the 2010s, becoming one of the All Blacks\u2019 most prolific finishers. McCaw has spoken glowingly about the modern winger\u2019s mix of strength and speed.<\/p>\n
The sport\u2019s first true global superstar.
Richie McCaw on Lomu:<\/p>\n
He\u2019s one of the absolute superstars of rugby. If you go somewhere rugby isn\u2019t well known, the one guy they do know is Jonah.\u201d<\/p>\n
A powerhouse with brains and finesse.
McCaw has long admired Nonu\u2019s development from raw runner to one of the smartest midfielders in the game. His combination with Conrad Smith defined an era of All Blacks dominance.<\/p>\n
The English icon and ultimate professional.
McCaw on Wilkinson:<\/p>\n
From his legendary 2003 World Cup-winning drop goal to his relentless preparation, Wilkinson earned universal respect \u2014 including from McCaw.<\/p>\n