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World Cup success not everything - McCaw
Nov 27 2008
Richie McCaw is adamant the All Blacks can enjoy fulfilling Test careers even if success at the World Cup eludes them.
It is 21 years since New Zealand hosted and won the inaugural competition and their ongoing failure to reclaim the sport's greatest prize is a source of national torment.
Yet McCaw dismissed the view that only World Cup triumph matters, saying: "You have to be able to gain lasting fulfilment without winning the World Cup."
He added: "It's not easy when you have disappointments but hopefully we can put them into context. We can be proud of what we've accomplished this year.
"It would be awful to have finished your career having achieved some of the things we have, even up to now, and not feel like you've done good."
An angry public reacted with disbelief at the most recent disappointment in France last autumn, with some protesters even calling for the returning players to be denied entry into the country.
Yet outside the World Cup the All Blacks have dominated Test rugby and normal service has been resumed since the quarter-final exit in Cardiff.
They top the world rankings, stormed last summer's Tri-Nations for the fourth consecutive year and will complete New Zealand's third successful grand slam tour if they topple England on Saturday.
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