Retirement announcement: Will the Richie McCaw era end at 12.15pm tomorrow?

Richie McCaw will going out on a high. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand Rugby has announced a press conference with All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw tomorrow, where he is expected to announce his retirement from rugby.

The press conference is set to take place at New Zealand Rugby House in Wellington at 12.15pm.

McCaw, who led New Zealand to victory at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, indicated he would likely retire after this year's tournament in England but is yet to make a definitive announcement.

His comments immediately after the All Blacks' Cup final win over Australia suggested the 148-test veteran might be considering continuing his international career.

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said McCaw "has asked for a little bit more time before he finally makes a decision and an announcement. He won't be too far away from getting to that point and I think if we give him a little bit more space and have a little bit more patience we will all be rewarded with the ultimate answer shortly."

Throughout the World Cup, McCaw stayed quiet on his future and said he was simply concentrating on the task at hand.

Asked whether he would throw away his running shoes or relax his diet once he retired, McCaw said he had not thought much about how he would reward himself.

"To be honest, I've been really tough on myself in terms of not looking past today," he said after the final.

"But I am going to enjoy not worrying about those sorts of things.

"I love going for a run because it makes you feel good, but it's nice not having to. Not having in the back of your mind every day, 'what do I need to do' to make sure I'm right for whatever down the track."

The flanker, raised on a farm in Kurow, will end his international career with a record 148 tests - as well as the first-time feat of winning the World Cup back-to-back.