Richie McCaw Becomes Youngest Ever Recipient of the Order of New Zealand

The king got another crown yesterday.

Rare for the king, it would be one that he'd have to share. One that—unlike most royal endowments—wasn't passed down through family privilege or feudal title. Instead he got it through hard, selfless work.

You can't argue that legendary ex-All Black captain Richie McCaw—New Zealand's living Protestant wet dream—doesn't know the value of that.

Fitting then, that he became youngest person to become a member of the Order of New Zealand at a ceremony at Government House in Wellington.

Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae slung the ONZ medal around McCaw's neck, making it official: he was now one of the greatest living Kiwis.

The ONZ is a heavy gig. It's New Zealand's highest honour, given to a maximum of 20 living Kiwis at any one time. Members are appointed by the Queen, on the advice of the current prime minister.

The rest of the current lineup features some of the country's biggest names, including three former PMs, and a number of leading social advocates and businesspeople.

The award is, officially, in recognition for McCaw's services to rugby. His impact on the game, both in New Zealand and internationally has been immense, since his All Black debut in 2001.

The Otago-born qualified helicopter pilot played a record 148 tests for the All Blacks, led New Zealand to two World Cup titles—and arguably redefined the role of open-side flanker in rugby.

At the tender age of 35, McCaw is more than 30 years younger than the next youngest member of the Order; former Prime Minister, and current UN secretary-general challenger, Helen Clark.

Before McCaw, the youngest person to receive the accolade was former Prime Minister Mike Moore, when he was aged 50.

"When you play rugby, you don't expect to have something like this bestowed upon you," McCaw told media, following the ceremony.

"I guess it is recognition of the hard work you put in to try and represent your country as best you can."

The accolade was met by the expected mix of breathless applause and dissent on Twitter, Facebook and on the comment sections of stories for the NZ Herald and Stuff.

"Sigh, he's a rugby player," commenter MikeOfNaki said, under Stuff's story on McCaw. "The service he did to the country he got paid massive money for. It just seems to undervalue what this should be"

The service he did to the country he got payed massive money for. It just seems to under value what this should be.

Another commenter, Mickeymo, was pleased for the rugby star.

"Very well deserved," he wrote. "Represents our country well. Professionalism, dignity, humble and a winner! I suspect the negative comments come from those who lack all of the above."

Critical analysis has been largely muted—maybe New Zealand media is all McCawed out—though longtime political reporter Barry Soper questioned the earliness of McCaw award.

Only two other sportspeople hold the ONZ; Olympic runner Sir Murray Halberg and Sir Bob Charles, New Zealand's finest ever golfer. Both were 74 when they received it.

"There's little doubt this man will give a lot back to this country with good deeds, but surely we should first have seen the deeds, and what contribution he will make, before bestowing this country's highest accolade on him," Soper wrote in his Soapbox column today.

Since he retired from rugby last November, McCaw has taken on a new career as a helicopter pilot and is currently working towards his airplane license.

As well as recently taking part in a 550 kilometre-long adventure race for charity, the former All Black spends a large amount of time working with the likes of Fonterra, Air New Zealand, Mastercard, AIG and Westpac, whom he does corporate sponsorship work for.

Last month he also signed on with Mercedes-Benz as an official "friend" of the company.