McCaw: I don't miss the physical side

Wellington - Retired New Zealand captain Richie McCaw admits that he misses the competition aspect of the sport, but not the physicality.

McCaw hung up his boots after winning his second Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks last year in England.

Now working as a commercial helicopter pilot in Christchurch since retiring, a year has passed since McCaw lifted the Webb Ellis Cup at Twickenham after defeating Australia in the final.

Rugby's all-time leading international appearance holder hung up his boots at 35 and admits that hauling his battered body out of bed on a Sunday the day after a game isn't a feeling he minds doing without.

“You can tell I miss it. I miss running out and the thrill of that," McCaw told the Irish Times.

“But I don’t miss the physical side. Waking up on Sunday morning beaten up. I miss the competition.

“You have got to earn it every time.

“You don’t want to be on the first team that loses to Ireland, but I think you are in danger if you use this as a motivator. Motivation is turning up to perform. If you start worrying about other things it is not helpful.

“Guys know about it in the back of their mind, you just don’t talk about it.”