Latest news with #RichieMcCaw
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
McCaw uplifts young rugby fans
He has lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy twice and more silverware than you can count, but bringing smiles to Wānaka's biggest rugby fans gives Richie McCaw a sky-high feeling. The former All Black captain was the pilot of a memorable flight for four of Wānaka's people with disabilities from the Mint Charitable Trust yesterday morning. McCaw flew All Blacks fans Eli Larose, 14, Ewan Little, 22, Lachlan Davison, 19, and Reuben Beston, 14, to the top of Coromandel Peak to chuck around a rugby ball at 1200m. "This is the first time I have done something like this with the helicopter," McCaw said. "With me being based down here now, they asked if I could come [and] take the team for a ride and I am more than happy to do that. "Over the years I have done a few things like this [charitable causes] to give people a smile. "It is amazing that with a little bit of a time out of your day, you can make a difference." McCaw and his wife Gemma, along with their three daughters, moved to Upper Clutha from Christchurch at the end of last year. Mr Davison said he had been in a helicopter before, but never with McCaw. He was a huge All Blacks fan and said it felt "pretty cool" to have him as his pilot. Reuben said he was excited to say hello to his biggest rugby hero, and new local celebrity. "I have seen him at the supermarket, but I have never said hi to him — I was too scared. "He is my favourite All Black." McCaw said he had not been flying as frequently as he would like, but would not mind getting back in the cockpit. "I have been doing a little bit less lately as I have been getting myself sorted down here. "I am keen to keep flying so I am still working that one out." He had taken his children in the helicopter a few times. "The first time I took them up they all fell asleep — the vibrations put them to sleep." Yesterday morning's flight was a rewarding one for everyone. "Whether you're flying or whatever, when kids get excited doing whatever it is, it's great. "There are obviously a couple of excited fellas here, and they love the Crusaders." He and the family were enjoying the change of pace and environment in the South. "We have holidayed here for a long time. "With all the outdoors ... the kids have a bit of space [and] it suits us well." The flight was organised by charity Uplift in Kind which aims to brings hope and joy to children and families facing illness or hardship by giving them the unforgettable experience of flight. With the support of aviation partner Wānaka Helicopters, the flight was all fee free for parents and children.
RNZ News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Oldest living All Black, Bill McCaw, dies at 97
Bill McCaw played for the All Blacks between 1951-1954. Photo: Crown Studios Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library. Bill McCaw, who was the oldest living All Black, has died in Christchurch, aged 97. McCaw played five tests and 27 games as a loose forward for the All Blacks between 1951 and 1954. He played 22 matches on the All Blacks' tour of Britain and France, including tests against Wales and France. He also played in their last tour match against the Barbarians. McCaw became the oldest surviving All Black in September 2023 on the death of Taranaki's Roy Roper, who had turned 100 a month earlier. The oldest survivor is now believed to be from Wellington and Horowhenua representative Brian Steele, who played nine matches, including three tests on the All Blacks' 1951 tour of Australia. Aged 96, he is a great uncle of Christian Cullen. All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and Bill McCaw in 2008. Photo: Supplied: Bill McCaw family collection McCaw was born in Gore and started his rugby at St Kevin's College boarding school in Oamaru. At 22, he was selected for Southland in 1949 and a year later was in their side that beat the touring British Lions 11-0. He gained national selection in 1951, playing 10 times on the All Blacks' tour of Australia, including three tests. Rugby historian Lindsay Knight wrote in his profile on McCaw for the New Zealand Rugby Museum, that the Southland teacher had an excellent northern tour in 1953-54 even though he was competing for a place against the captain Bob Stuart as a No 8 and Peter Jones and Bill Clark as a flanker. "As the captain of Southland, McCaw showed exceptional leadership qualities and but for the injuries which dogged much of his career may have become a test captain," Knight wrote. He led the All Blacks in a midweek tour match against North of Scotland and in 1954 was captain of the South Island and of the New Zealand XV which met New Zealand Māori. McCaw's last season was in 1955. After retiring from playing, he coached and was an administrator for the Marist club in Invercargill and for some years was on the Southland union's management committee. One of his sons, John, played for Canterbury in the mid-1980s. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
06-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Bill McCaw, oldest living All Black, dies aged 97
His son John McCaw, also a loose forward, represented Canterbury from 1986-87. McCaw played in the famous 1953 test when Wales beat the All Blacks 13-8 in 1953 in Cardiff – the last time the Welsh tasted victory over New Zealand. He spoke about the match in an interview with the Herald in 2021. 'It's not such a good thing carrying that 'honour' of being in that team to lose to Wales – you can't get that one off your back. But it's still a big item of rugby history, isn't it? 'We always like to think we struck the Welsh at a time when they were at their peak with players like Bleddyn Williams and Ken Jones, and they had some pretty notable forwards too. 'Yes, it always gets thrown up at you – 'you were in that team which lost to Wales'. I just ignore it.' McCaw said he's often asked if he is related to a certain Richie McCaw. 'I tell people look, I'm not related to Richie, but I was the first McCaw All Black,' he said. Happy 90th Birthday to All Black #527 Bill McCaw. It was a thrill to take Bill and his family for a helicopter ride and picnic in the mountains yesterday. Posted by Richie McCaw on Friday 25 August 2017 'On my 90th birthday, my family took me out for a helicopter ride and of course who was the pilot but Richie. 'We all enjoyed it and he is such an easy guy to talk to, very down to earth. We didn't get into match specifics at all – his record is too overwhelming.'
