Richie McCaw

All Blacks legend Richie McCaw and Olympic champion Nathan Cohen tackle two-day tandem

That might sound odd for a two time world champion and Kiwi sporting cult hero but when that teammate is an All Blacks legend, turned experienced multisport competitor, by the name of Richie McCaw, you can see Cohen’s point.

They’ll easily be the most recognisable faces at the iconic start point of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast at Serpentine Beach, near Kumara Junction, on Friday morning, despite calling themselves weekend warriors.

Richie McCaw backs Sam Whitelock to captain All Blacks in Sam Cane's absence

With regular captain Sam Cane out injured after having surgery on a torn pectoral tendon, All Blacks coach Ian Foster will name a new captain ahead of the opening test against Tonga on July 3.

McCaw, a double World Cup winning captain in 2011 and 2015, has suggested his former All Blacks and Crusaders team-mate Sam Whitlelock as the man for the job until Cane’s return.

“I don’t want to be saying too much, and there’s obviously a few candidates, but there’s no doubt ... Sam Whitelock, who has done it before, has done a good job over the years,” McCaw said.

Former All Black Richie McCaw's surprising new performing gig a complete '180' from his rugby career

As a trained pilot, McCaw began flying helicopters as his life after rugby began. Recently he competed in the gruelling GodZone competition, a 666km race that lasts days and requires running, kayaking and climbing over vast country terrain.

His latest gig is not what you would picture for the former captain of the All Blacks, becoming a member of The Wiggles for their latest concert in Christchurch.

'It's unbelievable how good a pie tastes' - Richie McCaw finishes GODZone event

McCaw and his three isport teammates came across the GODZone finish line in second place on their mountain bikes yesterday after travelling 666 kilometres together on foot, bike and kayak.

It's the world's largest expedition race involving teams of four mountainbiking, trekking and paddling 666 kilometres taking anywhere from four days to a week to finish. This year's event unfolded in Rotorua where 47 teams took part.

McCaw's team finished second, more than nine hours behind the winning Avaya team of Nathan Fa'ave, Chris Forne, Sophie Hart, and Stu Lynch.

New Zealanders scoop player of the decade awards

World Rugby decided not to hold any Player of the Year Awards this year, instead holding a virtual Decade of the Year Awards voted for by fans and an international panel.

Former All Black captain McCaw was named fifteen's player of the decade while Woodman was named women's sevens player of the decade.

Woodman won three awards including sevens' try of the decade and was also named in the fifteen's team of the decade.

McCaw headed off a cast of stars including fellow New Zealanders Dan Carter, Brodie Retallick, Kieran Read and Beauden Barrett for his honour.

Wales' Alun Wyn Jones to equal Richie McCaw's world record

The lock will play his 148th test, which includes nine for the British & Irish Lions, to move level with retired former New Zealand captain, and will have the chance to take the outright top-spot when Wales host Scotland in the Six Nations the following weekend.

"It is a fabulous achievement," coach Wayne Pivac said in a media release from the Welsh Rugby Union.

"He epitomises what a great rugby player is all about. He is a true professional on and off the field and a gentleman of the game.

'I was distraught': Richie McCaw reveals the time he denied Dan Carter a world record

In a video interview on Carter’s Facebook page, the former All Blacks captain discussed a time during a match where he inadvertently took away a chance for Carter to eclipse former England first-five Jonny Wilkinson’s all-time record for the most test points scored.

“I only found out that out quite a bit later,” McCaw told journalist Lee McKenzie when asked about the incident. “I was surprised DC didn’t actually tell me he was getting close.

Richie McCaw and Graham Henry inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame

The two-time World Cup winning All Blacks captain joined his former All Blacks coach Graham Henry in the Hall of Fame at an induction ceremony in Japan.

"It's a huge honour to be inducted," said McCaw, 38, who played 148 tests between 2001 and 2015.

"I'm number 143 and the other 142 names on there are legends of the game so to have your name alongside them is very special," McCaw said.

McCaw expects Wallabies to contend for World Cup

Speaking at an event looking ahead to the tournament, McCaw, a two-time World Cup-winner, said he expects Michael Cheika's team to come good at the tournament, despite having won just four of their 13 games last year.

"Knowing Australians like I do, they are competitive, hugely competitive and they will get themselves in good situation to compete," McCaw, who led the All Blacks to victory over the Wallabies in the 2015 final, told Reuters.

"They have got ability to win games now against everyone so you don't want to write them off at all.

McCaw back for more

After taking on the race in 2016, 36-year-old McCaw will team up with Rugby Players Association' chief executive Rob Nichol, Wanaka adventure racer Sarah Fairmaid and Wanaka multisporter and champion kayaker Bob McLachlan for the gruelling race in Te Anau and Fiordland in March.

"It will be a good way to kick off the new year and to be honest the temptation and massive challenge that Fiordland will throw at us was pretty hard to ignore," McCaw said.