McCaw given key to Nelson City
Richie McCaw has added another honour to his long list of achievements – being given the key to Nelson city.
The All Blacks skipper last night turned out for the Crusaders against the Hurricanes in Nelson, one of franchise partner Tasman’s home venues.
McCaw was presented with the ‘‘key to the city’’ by seven-year-old Nelson club rugby player Ania Morgan after training at Trafalgar Park. She was chosen by Mayor Rachel Reese, who asked the club – the oldest rugby club in New Zealand – for its youngest female member to present the key.
Ania said McCaw was a ‘‘sporty’’ guy and the Crusaders were one of her favourite rugby teams. McCaw said it ‘‘absolutely’’ felt like a home game for the Crusaders playing in Nelson, especially after being welcomed by dozens of excited fans at the airport on Thursday afternoon.
‘‘It’s great that we made the decision to come here in the end and everyone’s supported it,’’ he said.
Reese said the key was a symbol of friendship.
‘‘It’s just a way of thanking them and honouring them,’’ she said.
‘‘They’re very special gifts, I only have a few of them.
‘‘It’s a very high honour to get the key to the city.’’
Stars McCaw and Dan Carter were swarmed by fans on their arrival. Many were wearing Crusaders rugby jerseys and some were waving team flags.
Reese said Nelson fans valued the team’s commitment to the provinces.
‘‘We have a special relationship with the Crusaders in this part of the world so they had some big choices about where they were going to play this game and they’ve chosen to stay in the provinces and look after this community that really values their contribution.’’
The Crusaders last played in Nelson in 2011 after the Christchurch’s earthquakes severely damaged AMI Stadium.
McCaw was injured for all three games in Nelson but said he was looking forward to running out on to Trafalgar Park.