McCaw "what happens on the field stays on the field" and if he gets extra attention it is because he "must be doing something right". In 2012, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and selectors wagered the potential returns in finishing games with two openside flankers on the field as a way to counter McCaw. In September 2012 after the All Blacks v South African Test in Dunedin, then South African coach Heyneke Meyer said that McCaw was the greatest rugby player the world has ever seen. Following the All Blacks win over Wallabies to claim their 3rd World Cup, All Blacks Coach Steve Hansen praised McCaw's and Dan Carter's career efforts, distinguishing McCaw from Carter:“Richie is the best All Black we have ever had and Dan is a close second,” said Hansen. “The only thing that separates them is Richie has played 148 matches at flanker, which is unheard of - you put your body on the line every time you go there. The challenge for the other guys now is to try and become as great as him and Dan.” International record by opposition Playing achievements Personal life In January 2013 it was reported that he had been seeing hockey player Gemma Flynn for the past six months. McCaw announced his engagement to Flynn in January 2016. They married on 14 January 2017. Their daughter was born in December 2018 and a second daughter in May 2021. His other sporting passion is flying and he was made an honorary Squadron Leader in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 2010 and was promoted to honorary Wing Commander in September 2016. McCaw was taught to fly gliders by his grandfather J H 'Jim' McCaw who flew more than 300 missions in the Second World War. In 2009 he convinced the head of the Discovery network in Australia and New Zealand to do a show about gliding. They filmed McCaw gliding at Omarama on the extreme sports series Sportstar Insider, which was hosted by Australian former rugby league footballer Andrew Ettingshausen. After the 2010 Canterbury earthquake he auctioned a personal flying lesson through Trade Me to raise money for the badly damaged Hororata St Johns Church. He is also raising money for a young Samoan who broke his neck playing rugby and whose village was destroyed in the 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami. It was revealed at his retirement announcement in 2015