Two-time World Cup winning All Blacks captain Richie McCaw announced on Thursday (19th November) that he is to retire from professional rugby.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Richie McCaw:

"I guess I made no secret at the start of this year that this day was going to be probable, that this year would be my last but deep down I suppose I didn't want to shut the door totally because for probably two reasons. I didn't want to make it final because I was worried the emotion might get to me in a World Cup year, I might start thinking about last this, last that and maybe whether I did all the things I needed to do to play my best. By leaving that door, even if it was just creaked open a little bit, it didn't feel final until perhaps right now.."

SOUNDBITE (English) Richie McCaw:

"I sit here today with no regrets about what I have done over the years as a rugby player. That last game, to have that as the lasting memory of the last time on your pitch - pretty satisfying. The other thing I'm proud of is I played, I think, some of my best rugby in the last couple of weeks. So to finish on that note I think is pretty good. The last thing I ever wanted to do was limp to the end, both in form and as your body holding together. Sitting here today, probably the body would say you could still play so that means that I think I've got the timing right."

SOUNDBITE (English) Richie McCaw:

"I guess the question will be what am I going to do from now? A couple of things I've got in mind. One that hasn't just come about overnight, I learnt to fly helicopters in 2012 and some of you might have seen I've been doing a little bit of that, I have an opportunity to be part of Christchurch helicopters, the business in Christchurch. So that's going to be my thing going forward. First of all, become a commercial pilot with them, something I am hugely passionate about. I know it will never replace the thrill of running out in front of 80,000 but some of the things I have got to experience so far, it is not far short of it.."