Friday 20 November 2015 10:55, UK
After a record 148 Tests the great Richie McCaw has called time on a 15-year career that has seen him win every trophy a rugby player can win.
He leaves the All Blacks in fine form - double World Champions and holders of the Bledisloe Cup.
But who will be the man to take on the No 7 mantle from, according to New Zealand coach, the greatest player ever?
We look at the contenders.
Team: Chiefs
Age: 23
Height: 1.89m
Weight: 104kg
The 23-year-old has been McCaw's apprentice since 2012 and is the man that New Zealand will turn too. Groomed as a future All Black skipper (although Kieran Read will probably take over from McCaw for the next couple of years), Cane has played 31 Tests - starting 13 - and captained New Zealand in their opening World Cup game against Argentina.
Cane is superb at the breakdown and one of the best tacklers around. New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has been impressed with the openside and is backing him to be part of the national set-up for a long time: "He is in our leadership group, is hugely respected by everyone, is a fierce and fearless player and is someone who has the potential of being a long-term captain of the All Blacks in the future."
Team: Hurricanes
Age: 20
Height: 1.90m
Weight: 100kg
While his older brother Julian has been making waves on the wing for New Zealand, Ardie is also establishing himself as a real star of the future. He was a key player in the Hurricanes winning Super Rugby campaign and totally dominated in their semi-final against the Brumbies where he made a certain David Pocock look ordinary. Unfortunately a knee injury ruled him out of the final but his potential is massive.
Savea is part of Gordon Tietjens' Sevens squad for Rio 2016 but is likely to feature for the All Blacks in 2017 - just in time for the British and Irish Lions. Such is his potential that we could well see Cane switching over to the No 6 jersey to make way for Savea.
Team: Crusaders
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 104kg
Age: 27
Todd, who earned two Test caps as a replacement against France and South Africa in 2013, is the oldest contender on our list. Used to playing second fiddle to McCaw at the Crusaders, Todd has the ability to play on either side of the scrum and is a very intelligent player with one heck of a defence.
With the likes of Cane around, it is unlikely Todd will be first choice but his leadership at the Crusaders could hold him in good stead as the All Blacks head into a new era.
Team: Blues
Height: 1.94m
Weight: 111kg
Age: 20
Ioane is another player who will be focussing on Olympic gold with the New Zealand Sevens team in 2016 but the Blues No 8 is one heck of a player. He has all the attributes of making a real impact at any level - plenty of power and explosive pace that bodes well for carrying the ball and getting to the breakdown.
Ioane looks set to be an All Black No 8, but could well be a contender for the No 7 shirt as well.
Team: Chiefs
Height: 1.84m
Weight: 93kg
Age: 20
Karpik was one of the standout players in the ITM Cup playing for Auckland but will play Super Rugby for the Chiefs in 2016. Karpik is seen as an abrasive, old school type fetcher who models his play on Michael Hooper.
A raw talent who will benefit greatly learning from Sam Cane at the Chiefs, Karpik could well be pushing him for New Zealand honours in the next couple of years.
Team: Blues
Height: 1.86m
Weight: 102kg
Age: 20
The Blues may not be too happy about losing a talent like Karpik to the Chiefs, but that will be tempered with the knowledge they have Gibson on their books. Like Karpik and Ioane, Gibson was part of the triumphant New Zealand U20 team at the 2015 Junior World Cup and was one of their standout players.
Primarily a blindside or No 8, Gibson switched to the openside for that Junior World Cup when Karpik was injured and was highly impressive. Growing up McCaw was his rugby idol and has all the skill sets to make a play for his hero's jersey.
