Rugby: Richie McCaw's advice to Kieran Read as captain prepares for final All Blacks season

Kieran Read and Richie McCaw stand for the New Zealand anthem during the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Photosport

Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has some sage advice for Kieran Read ahead of his final season of test rugby.

Read announced yesterday that he will walk from the All Blacks following this year's Rugby World Cup and take up a short stint in Japan.

McCaw, who Read replaced as captain, retired after the 2015 World Cup triumph and told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking that the decision to leave the game is never "an easy one".

"Thinking back to my time it actually becomes obvious that it's the right time. People always say you know and when you get to that point you do know," McCaw said.

"It's still quite hard to actually say those words and then the next step is quite a tough one. Everyone has different sorts of circumstances and different ideas what to do but it takes a while to get that sorted."

Read, 33, has played 118 tests in the black jersey and has captained the team in 49 tests.

He was part of the victorious 2011 and 2015 teams and was named World Player of the Year in 2013.

Read is set to begin his 13th season of professional rugby in New Zealand when he returns to action for the Crusaders.

"He's been around for a while and I know his body has taken a good battering so from an international side of things to keep doing that he's obviously decided that the right time is this year and I guess the World Cup makes it an easy end point," McCaw said.

"He's obviously still interested in playing and Japan will be something different and the family will have a bit of a travel.

"Everyone's got different ideas what's for them when they finish. But good luck to him. I'm sure he won't be looking past getting this year spot on. Once you make a decision like that it makes it easier to focus on what he's doing."

McCaw added the key thing in your final season is not to get 'too nostalgic'.

"You do have to be careful if you think 'this is the last time for that' and get too nostalgic or whatever. You still want to put everything into each day so you can perform. Knowing the type of guy he is, he'll have no trouble I'm sure."

Read join Toyota Verblitz in Japan next year on a two-year contract after reported interest from French side Racing 92 and at least one unnamed English club.