All Blacks: McCaw knows the end is coming

Richie McCaw of the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw knows retirement is coming but won't say whether it will be after next year's World Cup in England.

The champion flanker will leave a huge hole in the All Blacks when he finally calls it a day but there's still some life left in the legs of the 33-year-old who has played 134 test matches since making his debut against Ireland in 2001.

McCaw sat out Sunday's victory over the US in Chicago but should make his first appearance on the end of year tour against England at Twickenham this weekend.

The Crusader was recently pressed on his playing future by British newspaper The Guardian but said there was no timeline for his eventual retirement.

"To say I'm going to give it up or carry on playing, I just don't know," McCaw told The Guardian. "You don't want to give up something you love like that. But, you know, one day the time will come. Whether it's next year or the year after, I'm not sure."

When McCaw does finally retire he will be able to step away from the constant scrutiny, which comes with being an All Black.

"It's when you finish. That's when you get the respite," McCaw continued. "I've got mates - [the retired hooker] Andrew Hore's a classic, who was here [on tour] last year and he misses it, he'd do anything to be back here with us. You've just got to remember that sometimes."

During the wide-ranging interview with the newspaper, McCaw spoke about how his six-month sabbatical allowed him to enjoy a much-needed break where he could recharge his batteries.

He also said that being in the public eye wasn't his favourite aspect of the job.

"Probably not. Yeah. I do quite enjoy for example being able to walk down the street and not worry. I'd be lying if I said that after 14-odd years of it, at times it doesn't get a wee bit on top of you. I think the best thing I did was a couple of years ago when I had a break for six months. I came over here [the US], in fact, for a bit of time.

"I realised then that to get frustrated, at times it's natural, but most people are just rugby fans and they love what we do, and what we do is a privilege: being an All Black. You have to remember that, because one day you won't be."

McCaw also said you needed to constantly work hard to remain at the top of your game for such a long period of time.

"I've seen players who've got all the talent in the world, and they could be a great All Black, and they come in and for whatever reason, usually decisions they make, they don't last very long. And I sometimes wonder if they get a little bit older, they look back and go: 'Jeepers, I stuffed that up.' I don't want to be the sort of guy that does that."