The mighty McCaw's legend

All Black legends Richie McCaw (second from right) with Conrad Smith, Daniel Carter, Ma'a Nonu, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock after their final home test. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The good news is that Richie McCaw's reputation, the legend, is safe no matter what happens in the World Cup. The even better news is that he is the last person who will look at it that way.

McCaw wasn't the only one to get a lump in his throat when the crowd stood and cheered him as he made a rare exit before fulltime, leaving his teammates to complete the demolition of Australia at Eden Park.

This seems like a very long time ago, but the night did not start well. The Australians began promisingly, the All Blacks were fumbling about, and the crowd was making the sort of noise you could find at a funeral. An hour or so later, though, Australia barely had a pulse left, the crowd felt free to let loose in a very un-New Zealand rugby way, and the most remarkable Kiwi team sportsman in many a day - bar one - was left to accept his due accolades.

There has been a player to match McCaw in my time, his name being Richard Hadlee. Different character, different type of impact, different time, different sport, and more overtly influential.

Looking back on those Hadlee years, including the wonderful chanting that accompanied him at Eden Park, still elicits a thrill. They were romantic sporting times. And McCaw's exit on Saturday night, the timing of which was kind of unexpected but expertly thought out by Steve Hansen, certainly pushed the truth button when it came to the emotions.

The thing about a lump in the throat is you can't fake it. Either they turn up or they don't, and in McCaw's case, he got one at Eden Park while declaring that he's not usually the emotional type.

That lack of emotion, as he describes it, an even response to life's ups and downs, is probably a contributing factor to the length of his reign. He's carried an enormous load in New Zealand rugby without appearing to do so.

Apart from the legendary fitness, resilience and playing ability, he has appeared an expert in living in the moment of the task. This is one of the things that sets the All Blacks apart - under pressure, they do their own jobs and let the big picture be drawn how it may. Nothing exemplifies this better than the miracle recovery against Ireland, who lost that wonderful contest two years ago because their minds wandered off the job.

Belief and sticking to the task, without trying to win it on your own. That's a culture which has developed within these All Blacks, and it is an attitude epitomised and inspired by the great man McCaw.

Even under ridiculous attack - the horrendous flying assault from South African prop Dean Greyling sticks in the mind - he stays on task.

McCaw wasn't the only one being farewelled from New Zealand fields on Saturday night, but with his record, he overshadowed all. Not only has McCaw played in the toughest of positions, he usually plays the full 80 minutes, unlike many contemporaries. And so, the defence of the World Cup is in the best possible hands, which doesn't mean it will work out for the best either.

An All Black failure will draw plenty of heat, and maybe McCaw will cop some in the short term. But the 2011 World Cup triumph, one he led on a busted foot, and the longevity of his incredible career have him safe in a very select pantheon. His legend will only grow, although exactly how remains to be seen.

Put it this way: more than 40 years on from the end of Colin Meads' career, hardly anyone remembers or cares about the fine detail and McCaw is headed for the same place. Hell, he's already followed Piney into the land of cheesy commercials.

There won't be another Richie McCaw pass this way, because it was a miracle a man of his ability and class emerged in the first place. It was an absolute privilege to be at Eden Park to see what was apparently his final home game, including those memorable final steps and the cheers for him in the national stadium.