Monday, April 23, 2012

McCaw gains honorary doctorate



World Cup winning All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has been honoured at Lincoln University with a doctorate of natural recourses.

McCaw, who is expected to be back in action with the Crusaders in the coming weeks, turned down the ‘offer’ of a knighthood last season, but warmly accepted the honour from an institution he attended before rugby became full time.

The 103-test capped flanker studied for a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, completing all but two papers to be awarded the qualification, before he was called into the New Zealand Under-19s squad.

The rest they say is history.

McCaw is the second All Blacks captain after Wilson Whineray to be honoured, with Vice-Chancellor Andrew West saying that McCaw was a logical recipient.

"We believe he represents such a tremendous standard for our students to aspire too," he said.

McCaw, who will earn his 111th Crusaders cap when he returns to action, told ONE News that he was thrilled to be honoured – although he said he wouldn’t likely formally add Doctor to his name.

"To be honoured like this is pretty awesome," McCaw said.

"Having not quite graduated I copped a bit of stick from the family that all have, so it's nice to be at a graduation and receive a cap."

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