Richie McCaw
ISPS HANDA Ambassador
Former All Blacks Captain
It is an honour to join ISPS Handa as an ambassador and work with Dr Handa, our patrons and other ambassadors as we continue the great work of ISPS Handa to inspire and unite the world through sport.
As a former All Blacks captain I have had the privilege to meet a variety of people of different age, ethnicity and status. I have been considered an inspiration to many due to the success I have achieved in leading one of the world’s greatest sports teams, but it is being able to use this success to contribute to a greater good which makes me most proud and ISPS Handa gives me a platform to do this.
Biography
Richard Hugh McCaw ONZ is one of New Zealand’s most respected sportsmen, and is a legend in the rugby world.
He captained New Zealand’s national rugby team, the All Blacks, between 2004 – 2015 and was generally recognised as the world’s best openside flanker. He was a member of the All Blacks from 2001 – 2015 and played 148 test matches and won two Rugby World Cups. Richie is the most capped test rugby player of all time, and has won the World Rugby Player of the Year award a joint record three times. Richie announced his retirement from professional rugby in November 2015.
Some of Richie’s major achievements throughout his rugby playing career include IRB International Player of the Year in 2006, 2009 and 2010, New Zealand Player of the Year in 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2012. He was also awarded the NZ Sportsman of the Year award in 2010 and 2011 and was a Rugby World Cup Champion in 2007, 2011 and 2015. Richie is a keen pilot and in 2009 he was made an honorary squadron leader of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
In 2016, he was appointed a member of New Zealand’s highest honour, the Order of New Zealand and awarded New Zealander of the Year which recognised the former All Blacks captain’s contributions to both rugby and charity. Richie is married to Gemma and the pair have recently welcomed their baby girl, Charlotte.