McCaw: It's just one of those things that you're going to miss like hell

Richie McCaw arrives at the New Zealand Rugby Awards last night at the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland. Photo / Greg Bowker

Rugby World Cup-winning All Black captain Richie McCaw has talked further about the emotional highs and lows of retiring from the game he loved.

Speaking at the New Zealand Rugby Awards in Auckland last night, McCaw said standing on stage one last time as an All Black left him with a lump in his throat.

"But you'd be worried if you didn't have a little bit of emotion giving up something you've done that's been nearly half your life and that you love and are passionate about," he said. "So I guess it's a good thing."

He said wearing the All Black blazer for the last time had also hit home a little bit.

"In saying that, it's all very well having a bit of emotion, but it's not as though it's not the right thing. It's just one of those things that you're going to miss like hell. But, you know, that was always going to be the case."

The 34-year-old, who played a record 148 test caps for the All Blacks, said he was leaving the game "satisfied".

"I guess at the start of the year, you look at what we were wanting to achieve -- we pretty much ticked it all."

McCaw said the manner in which the All Blacks did that was also satisfying.

This was a sentiment shared by coach Steve Hansen last night.

Hansen said while he was proud of the obvious achievements during the year, the thing he was most proud of was how the players not only exhibited themselves as "extraordinary and talented rugby players" but at the same time remained "humble and good human beings".

McCaw, who is leaving after 14 years of international rugby, said it would be a bit different not being able to be a part of the team.

"But I do know that that time comes," he said.

"I know when the boys are out playing, [I'll] probably look at it and go 'Oh, it would be nice to be out there', but it's not as though you're not going to see them again. I'm not sort of just leaving and stuff, so I'll see them around.

"But it's the camaraderie of when you go out and get on the field together and stuff - that's the bit you'll miss. And I think that's what all players that give up say - that's the bit they miss."

"I will want to give something back at some point, because I have been given a lot but what that actually means I don't know yet. But just rushing back into rugby in some capacity because I miss the team would be the wrong reason."

However, there was one thing McCaw said he would not be yearning for.

"Pre-season training on the first of January -- I won't be missing that, I tell you."

As for the next 12 months, McCaw said he was looking forward to having some flexibility with his time.

He said apart from some helicopter flying, he also had a few trips "in the pipeline".

"Obviously the Olympics is something that I want to go and watch, with the girlfriend that's going to be playing at the Olympics."

McCaw's girlfriend Gemma Flynn is member of the New Zealand women's field hockey team, the Blacksticks.

"The Olympics is something that if I was still playing I wouldn't be able to go and do, but next year I'll head there without the pressure of actually having to do anything, just purely to spectate and that will be pretty refreshing."

McCaw said he had also got himself entered into an adventure race in April.

"So that's a bit of a challenge I'm quite excited about, quite nervous about," he said.

McCaw will compete in the GODZone adventure race to raise money for the Cure Kids charity.

The event is a 550km team race which includes tramping, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking and rafting. It is the largest and most technically challenging expedition race in the world and will take place around the Tasman region.

McCaw will join NZ Rugby Players Association CEO Rob Nichol, Wanaka adventure racer Sarah Fairmaid and former Blues player Ben Meyer in a team racing for the Cure Kids charity.