Richie McCaw earned himself a spot in British & Irish Lions history back in 2005, but just two days away from his second Rugby World Cup final the All Blacks great is still keeping his retirement plans close to his chest.
The 34-year-old, who was the scourge of the Lions alongside fly-half Dan Carter on their last trip to New Zealand, will lead his side in pursuit of another World Cup title on Saturday against Australia.
McCaw played two tests against the Lions in 2005, scoring a try in the second, but ten years on is still not ready to reveal whether Saturday’s Twickenham showpiece will be his final match before retirement.
The legendary flanker is likely to take a permanent step back from international rugby once the tournament is over, but McCaw insists he is yet to decide whether or not another Super Rugby season with the Crusaders beckons on his return to New Zealand.
“I have purposefully not got into that because I wanted to make sure I do this,” he said.
“I didn’t want to get all hung up on what could be or might be. I was keen to turn up to this tournament as if you were going to play games to come.
“I have to make a decision when I get home. It’s something down the track. I just really want to play this weekend as best I can. You still do the same things you would do if you were going to play for years on.
“It just hasn’t entered my mind this week at all. I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’m going to have a good reflection on things after this but I want to do this weekend right.”
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