UPDATED 3.31PM: All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has confirmed his retirement from all rugby.
He hangs up his boots as the most capped player in world rugby, playing 148 tests for New Zealand and winning two Rugby World Cups.
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McCaw says he knew at the start of the year that this was probably going to be his last, but he didn't want to make it final - until now.
"I didn't want to make it final because I was worried that 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," he said.Â
He will take up a pilot position with Christchurch Helicopters after learning to fly in 2012.Â
McCaw made his debut against Ireland in 2001.
He was named World Rugby player of the year on three occasions, 2006, 2009, 2010.
He also played 110 times for the Crusaders, captaining them to the Super Rugby title in 2005, 2006 and 2008.
He said the sport has given him so much over the last 15 years and he wants to give something back.
"[I have] no idea in what regard and I've got no idea when because I think initially I need to take a bit of a step back and do a few other things I want to do but down the track I definitely want to be able to give something back."
At the press conference, a moment of silence was observed to mark the death of Jonah Lomu.Â
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