Much praise has been heaped on the man many describe as the best open-side flanker in world rugby.

A key figure for the All Blacks, McCaw has consistently been one of the country's key players since debuting against Ireland in 2001.

He was sidelined for the middle part of 2004 with a head injury but came back midway through the NPC to captain the Canterbury side to a stunning final victory over Wellington, earning the NPC Division One Player of the Year award.

McCaw then went on to play a leading role in the All Blacks' end-of-year tour and became New Zealand's 60th Test captain against Wales at Millennium Stadium.

A tireless worker who reads the game well, McCaw was voted as Newcomer of the Year by the International Rugby Players' Association in 2002.

He graduated through the New Zealand age-grade system, playing in the world champion Under-19 and Under-21 national teams before stepping up to the All Blacks at the tail end of the 2001 season.

He backed up the promising start to his Test career on the tour of Ireland, Scotland and Argentina in 2001 by being one of the All Blacks best in the last two Tri-Nations successes.

He had an outstanding 2003 Rugby World Cup and won the New Zealand player of the year award at the 2003 Steinlager Rugby Awards.

He was also a player of the year finalist in both the International Rugby Players Association and IRB awards.