New Zealand
All Blacks great Richie McCaw joins Order of New Zealand
ESPN staff
December 31, 2015
© Michael Bradley/Getty Images

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has capped off a remarkable year with his nation's highest honour - the Order of New Zealand.

The honour doesn't carry any title but is reserved for 20 living New Zealanders at any one time, and follows the champion No.7's second successive Rugby World Cup crown - won by the All Blacks in London in October.

McCaw wasn't the only All Blacks player to earn recognition with fly-half and Player of the Tournament Dan Carter made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and fellow Test retirees Conrad Smith, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock and Ma'a Nonu elected to the same group.

"It's an incredible honour," McCaw said. "I've never been comfortable with titles, it's not who I am.

"To have my rugby career recognised in this way is very special," said McCaw.

"I've been so lucky to have played with some truly awesome men and while I receive this award, my team-mates are a huge part of our success over the years."

A movie chronicling McCaw's final year in the black jersey is due out in early 2016.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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