All Blacks: 'That's the way you play the game,' says player of the year McCaw

Richie McCaw has become the first person to win the player of the year award twice. Photo /Getty Images

A beaming All Blacks rugby captain Richie McCaw hobbled out of the Stade Velodrome press conference room with the resounding words: "That's the way you play the game."

He was referring to his side's outstanding 39-12 win over France, but it could easily apply to his own contribution as McCaw was named International Rugby Board player of the year.

The All Blacks flanker became the first person to win the award twice, after scooping it in 2006, as he beat Springboks Francois Steyn and Fourie du Preez, Wallaby Matt Giteau, Ireland pair Brian O'Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip and England loose forward Tom Croft.

McCaw said the award was a huge honour as he iced his 80th test appearance since making his debut in 2001.

"I think of all the great players around the world, to be singled out is pretty humbling. But in a team sport it's hard to pick one guy out and you can't pick up awards like that if you haven't got a team that's pretty special," he said.

"We've had a challenging year but everyone in the latter half of the year has stood up. I'm proud to be a part of that. It's nice to pick up individual awards but you've got to always remember that it's your mates outside you that deserve some credit too."

All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina, the most-capped current All Black with 82 tests, said McCaw's contribution remained immense.

"He's world-class, probably between him and Dan [Carter] for best in the world. It's great for them to recognise Richie like that and the guys are just delighted," Muliaina said.

"He's a great leader and a great rugby player and we're stoked for him."

Asked if McCaw would be called on to shout as the All Blacks celebrate their victory, Muliaina added: "I hope so, his pockets are pretty deep so we'll see what happens."

McCaw felt the turning point of the test was when the All Blacks scrum demolished the French, who had dominated the shoves until that point, and set up a try to Jerome Kaino.

That made it 22-9 just before halftime and McCaw could sense the French challenge was waning.

Much was made of the tiredness factor for the All Blacks as they played their fifth test in a row and 14th of the year, but McCaw said motivation wasn't an issue.

"When you know you've got one more left you can dig pretty deep. The guys were pretty keen, we'd been close in most of the games to putting a performance together.

"They knew it was going to be tough, but all that together made it pretty easy to get up for the game."

The All Blacks now have to regroup for a final tour match against the Barbarians at Twickenham next Sunday (NZT), where the second-stringers will all likely get another chance.

- NZPA