Rugby: McCaw drops retirement hint

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw has given his clearest indication yet on what he is likely to do next year and it's unlikely to be playing rugby.

McCaw said at Crusaders training today that retirement was the most likely option, not that he wanted to dwell on it.

"Honestly, I haven't made any final decisions but probably the likelihood is I'm not going to be playing next year. But I don't want to be getting carried away now talking about those sorts of things when I am focusing about playing.

"I want to really enjoy this year but, as I say, that's the likelihood and I don't want to make any big announcements because I don't think that would be right going into a season."

Stories have emerged out of Europe that he was being targeted by a number of clubs, including French outfit Pau, the same club Conrad Smith recently signed with to join after the World Cup.