Knighthoods await Cup winners McCaw, Hansen

All BLACKS captain Richie McCaw and coach Steve Hansen will be offered knighthoods following New Zealand’s World Cup triumph, but the timing will depend on when they retire, Prime Minister John Key said yesterday. McCaw, 34, has already turned down the honour once, after New Zealand’s 2011 tournament win, saying he did not feel it was right to accept while he was still playing.

Key was asked if the inspirational skipper would be approached again about putting a “Sir” before his name in the wake of the 34-17 Cup final win over Australia and told the New Zealand Herald: “That’s right.” However, he said the offer would remain on hold until McCaw decides his future.

“If he really does hang up his boots, I don’t think he is philosophically opposed to taking the knighthood,” Key told the newspaper.

“He says he shouldn’t do that while he is a playing player.”

McCaw has been lauded as the greatest All Black ever by coach Hansen, who Key said was also in line for a knighthood.

The coach’s future is not set in stone either but he has hinted he will step down when his contract expires in 2017 and Key said he would probably be offered a knighthood upon retirement. – AFP