McCaw receives New Zealand’s highest honour

by The TRU Team & Chris Heal Thursday 14 April 2016

Richie McCaw becomes the youngest ever appointed to Order of New Zealand

©PA

Former New Zealand captain Richie McCaw has become the youngster person to receive his country’s highest honour.

On Thursday at a ceremony at Government House, McCaw was bestowed with the Order of New Zealand. The Order of New Zealand is the country’s top honour and is limited to only 20 living New Zealanders.

The 35 year-old is the youngest person to ever be appointed in the order which sits higher in the honours system than a knighthood in New Zealand.

Others on the list include another former All Black captain, Brian Lochore and director Peter Jackson.

Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae said he was pleased to have honoured McCaw with a medal: "You've conducted yourself as a leader and a man."

McCaw retired from rugby in October of last year after leading the All Blacks to back to back World Cup triumphs having clocked up a world record 148 tests for his country where he only tasted defeat 15 times.