Richie McCaw the 28-year-old AB Captain is the recipient for the IRB’s prestigious Player of the Year award straight after leading his side to a comprehensive 39-12 victory over France at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille today where he earned his 80th test cap (43rd as Captain) against the French. McCaw having also won IRB player of the year in 2006 is only player ever to have been honoured twice.

The incomparable flanker said he was “humbled” to be named the best rugby player on the planet for the second time in his career accepted this latest accolade in the same manner he has received most of the plaudits through his remarkable career – “It’s a huge honour, if you think about all the great players around the world, to be singled out is pretty humbling. In a team sport it’s hard to pick one guy out. You can’t pick up awards like that if you haven’t got a team that’s pretty special. We’ve had a challenging year but everyone in the latter half of the year has stood up. I’m just proud to be a part of that. You’ve got to always remember that it’s your mates alongside who probably deserve some credit as well. It’s a pretty proud thing that I’ll look back on having achieved. It’s pretty cool.”

McCaw’s long-time team-mate Mils Muliaina said the latest accolade for a player fast approaching folklore status in New Zealand rugby was thoroughly deserved. “There’s no doubting how good a player Richie is, he’s world-class & it’s probably between him and Dan for the best in the world. It’s great for them to recognise Richie in that stature. The guys are just delighted because he’s a great leader and a great rugby player.”