The Diary: McCaw and Flynn look to be getting serious

Richie McCaw and Gemma Flynn may be about to take the next step in their relationship.

The country's most loved sports star, Richie McCaw, may be getting more serious with his 24-year-old hockey star girlfriend Gemma Flynn, according to inside sources.

"Richie and Gem are planning a special celebration in Sydney once she comes back from the Commonwealth Games in mid-August. She's looking forward to it and hoping to sneak in some shopping before she comes home," a friend gushed to The Diary.

But any sign that heart-throb Richie, 33, may be putting a ring on it have been quietly scotched by his rep, Dean Hegan. He is loath to talk about his ward's private life but does not believe McCaw will be settling down any time soon.

There's a Rugby World Cup to prepare for.

Though what happens after the tournament is anyone's guess. The All Black skipper's New Zealand Rugby Union contract expires late next year and hints of retirement have not been discounted.

Hegan would not elaborate on McCaw's future from November 2015. Stepping down from professional first-class rugby leaves McCaw open to pursue a variety of opportunities.

Gemma Flynn.

McCaw has a global brand and the world is his oyster.

Friends say Flynn, who has been a Black Stick for the past seven years, may hang up her hockey stick and spend more time on her new business, The 100% Project, which runs programmes for companies and individuals to live a more sustainable life.

Flynn works alongside former Silver Fern Maree Bowden and high performance trainer John Quinn.

She's also in the final stages of her bachelor of sport and exercise science degree.

One source reckons Flynn is the support McCaw needs if he is strategising his move away from the All Black captaincy, post-World Cup.

"If Gemma retires from hockey at the end of this year it will give her more time to spend supporting Richie as he enters the last phase of his career, which is going to take a huge emotional toll on him.

"Hanging up the boots will tear him apart, and he needs her to be there to support him."

Maybe then he will have the time to put a ring on it.

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