LEGENDARY former New Zealand captain Richie McCaw has been living life to the fullest after retiring from the game.
He now spends his days being a firefighter pilot and completing 180-mile bike rides.
The 42-year-old retired from rugby just three weeks after winning his second World Cup in 2015 against Australia.
The 148-cap flanker has gone down as one of the very best to play the game.
He won two Rugby World Cups as well as three World Rugby Player of the Year awards before retiring aged 34.
Despite his iconic career, McCaw has taken a step away from the sport.
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Speaking to 98fm the New Zealand international expressed how he is now a full-time helicopter pilot.
He said: "Apart from coming to the odd game here and there to watch as a fan.
"I really have taken a full step back from it and actually I’m pretty much full-time flying helicopters as a commercial pilot now.
"So that’s now my new day to day gig and it’s a lot of fun."
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Flying aircraft was at first a hobby for the former number 8.
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However, when Kaikoura in New Zealand was hit by an earthquake in 2016, the rugby legend was propelled into humanitarian aid.
The Crusaders man worked alongside charities to deliver supplies, medical equipment and resources to and from Kaikoura.
He added: "I took the fire crew up just to make sure everyone was OK in the houses and the roads that were stuck there."
McCaw's desire to help others didn't stop there, however.
A year later the former Kiwi captain volunteered during the Canterbury Christmas Day Fire in 2017 that needed 20 fire trucks and five helicopters to extinguish.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks ace has also made a career in cycling.
He rode with Welsh Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas back in January this year.
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Combining his passion for flying with his passion for cycling, six weeks ago he rode 155 miles from Queenstown to Invercargill to raise money for Westpac NZ rescue helicopters.
Only last week, McCaw completed an 186-mile bike ride entitled the 'Alps 2 Ocean Trail'.
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