Leading the way . . . Richie McCaw dives over to score against the Springboks during a Rugby Championship match in Wellington in September 2014. Photo: Getty
Fresh legs . . . McCaw runs at the Irish defence in his debut test at Lansdowne road in Dublin, in November 2001. Photo Getty
At the scrum . . . McCaw packs down against England in a match in Wellington in June 2003. Photo Getty
Blast from the past . . . A young Richie McCaw pays a visit to his old school, Otago Boys' High, in Dunedin in June 2002. Photo Craig Baxter
Rubbing shoulders . . . Richie McCaw with Prince William (centre)and teammate Chris Jack (obscured) during an All Black autograph signing session at Western Springs in Auckland in July 2005. Photo Getty
The pain . . . McCaw and coach Graham Henry front the media after the loss to France in the 2007 World Cup quarterfinal at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Photo: Getty
Fancy footwork . . . McCaw sidesteps South Africa's Jean De Villiers during a TriNations test in Cape Town in August 2005. Photo Getty
Milestone . . . McCaw is presented with his 100th test cap by former All Black captain and NZRU Chairman Jock Hobbs after the 2011 World Cup match between New Zealand and France at Eden Park in Auckland. Photo Getty
Victorious at last . . . McCaw lifts the Webb Ellis Cup after the All Blacks beat France 8-7 in the 2011 World Cup final at Eden Park in Auckland. Photo: Getty
Bloodied in battle . . . McCaw is escorted to the blood bin for the second time by team Dr John Mayhew, during the All Blacks' 2003 World Cup quarterfinal victory over against South Africa at the Telstradome in Melbourne. Photo: Getty
With the boys . . . McCaw and teammates Rodney So'oialo (L) and Jerry Collins celebrate with the Bledisloe Cup and the Tri Nations trophy after victory over the Wallabies at Eden Park in August 2006. Photo: Getty
Team talk . . . McCaw encourages his players during a match against Ireland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin in November 2013. Photo: Getty
Royal reception . . . McCaw meets Queen Elizabeth II at a reception last month at Buckingham Palace to welcome World Cup stars. Photo: Getty
And again . . . McCaw raises the Webb Ellis Cup after th All Blacks' 2015 World Cup final win over Australia at Twickenham in London. Photo Reuters
Calling it quits . . . McCaw announces his retirement from rugby at New Zealand Rugby House in Wellington. Photo: Getty
Richie McCaw, who captained New Zealand to two Rugby World Cup triumphs, has brought an end to his 14-year international career by announcing his retirement today.
The 34-year-old flanker ended his career as the most capped player (148) and captain (110) in world rugby.
He won three World Rugby Player of the Year awards and led the All Blacks to successive World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015.
