New Zealand
Richie McCaw likely to retire at season's end
ESPN Staff
February 19, 2015
Richie McCaw looks set to enter retirement after RWC 2015 © Getty Images
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All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has given his strongest indication yet that Rugby World Cup 2015 will be his swansong.

The veteran No.7 has been linked with a move to French club Pau but McCaw distanced himself from that speculation, saying this season would likely be his last.

"Honestly, I haven't made any final decisions but probably the likelihood is I'm not going to be playing next year," McCaw told TVNZ in New Zealand.

"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."

McCaw could command a healthy salary in either Europe or Japan but, after 13 seasons at the top, it seems he is content to remain in New Zealand to begin the next phase of life. "Everyone is motivated a bit differently and I've always said that is not the No.1 motivation," McCaw said of the big money on offer overseas.

"Obviously, it is nice to play and get well looked after because of that but I've always said that if I was enjoying it and wanted to carry on playing then I would play here. If I'm not enjoying it and decide I've got to go off just play to earn some cash I think that would be pretty tough."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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