Rugby: McCaw back to where it all began

Richie McCaw
Richie McCaw
Richie McCaw has won nearly everything in the game, all round the world.

But he went right back to where it all started to pick up his latest award.

McCaw was awarded life membership of the Kurow Rugby Club at its annual meeting this week.

McCaw (32), who has played 124 tests and captained the All Blacks to World Cup glory in 2011, began his career at the Kurow club, where he played his first games of rugby.

Kurow life member Barney McCone, who presented the life membership to McCaw, said it was an acknowledgement for what McCaw had done in the game.

''The committee made the decision about six months ago and he was really glad to be awarded it. He has made some massive achievements in rugby,'' he said.

McCaw was the 17th life member of the club, whose only other All Black was Phil Gard.

''He fitted in really well on the night. Really enjoyed talking to everyone and thanking the club for the start he got from us.''

McCaw was in the area on leave from the All Blacks, doing some gliding and relaxing.

McCone coached McCaw from when the future All Black first turned up when he was about 6 to play rugby at the local club.

''That was in the days when we just taught the young guys ball skills and they didn't get to play games until they were 9.

''He was a solid kid. You could tell he had something about him. He had a lot of things you could not coach into a player. He was a bit different than the rest.''

McCaw mostly played at lock when a youngster, and also played No 8, but Kurow was never flush with players and it was a case of playing where needed.

''I quipped when I gave Richie the life membership that it is a long, long way from Kurow domain to Twickenham. He is an amazing guy to have done that.''

McCaw played at Kurow until aged 13 when he left the family farm to board at Otago Boys' High School.

Kurow had already honoured its favourite son with a hay bale sculpture before and during the last Rugby World Cup, in a tirbute to the openside flanker.

The town also had a parade early last year where McCaw was the special guest to congratulate him on winning the Rugby World Cup.

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