Richie McCaw: I never want to give back the Bledisloe Cup
Despite achieving almost everything possible to achieve in rugby, the Bledisloe Cup still holds a special place in the heart of New Zealand's Richie McCaw and he is not about to give it up lightly in what looks like being his final season.
Despite achieving almost everything possible to achieve in rugby, the Bledisloe Cup still holds a special place in the heart of New Zealand's Richie McCaw and he is not about to give it up lightly in what looks like being his final season.
A World Cup-winning captain and three-time World Player of the Year, McCaw will match Irish great Brian O'Driscoll's record tally of 141 test caps when he takes to the field for Saturday's Rugby Championship decider against Australia.
The 34-year-old's career goes back so far that he can recall being part of a New Zealand side who lost the Bledisloe Cup series against Australia in 2002, the last time the Australians held the symbol of trans-Tasman Sea rivalry.
I would love nothing better than to keep the Bledisloe in the cupboard, absolutely ... I never want to give it back
Since winning it back after a five-year drought in 2003, New Zealand have held on to the trophy while establishing a dominance of test rugby that saw them recently celebrate a decade on top of the world rankings.
"I would love nothing better than to keep the Bledisloe in the cupboard, absolutely," McCaw said. "But it's been like that every year. I still remember back to when we didn't have it and, put yourself in the Wallabies shoes, they will be desperate to get their hands on it.
"That's what makes a great occasion, is that it means so much for both teams.
"A few of us realise what it was like to not have it and the Wallabies are in that situation at the moment. But I never want to give it back. That's the motivator every time. Whenever you do hang up the boots if we still have it, I'll be pretty happy."
