All Blacks great Richie McCaw wants new New Zealand flag

Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw wants New Zealand to change their flag to one with a silver fern.

The 35-year-old, who earlier this week was named New Zealander of the Year, said he felt his country needed to change the flag when he ran out ahead of last year's World Cup final against Australia.

McCaw won 148 Test caps for the All Blacks and, as one of the country's greatest ever sportsmen, his opinion carries substantial weight.

The moment when I decided a new flag would be great for our country (was when) running out at Twickenham and seeing the two flags looking so similar.

New Zealand is currently undergoing a two-part referendum to determine whether or not to change its flag, with the second phase due to be held next month when a design featuring a fern on a blue and black background, will face off against New Zealand's current flag.

The existing flag features the United Kingdom's Union Jack in the corner and four red stars in a Southern Cross formation, indicating New Zealand's location in the South Pacific.

"The moment when I decided a new flag would be great for our country [was when] running out at Twickenham and seeing the two flags looking so similar," McCaw wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday, with a picture of the two flags side by side.

"The silver fern has always been the special symbol on the All Black jersey that represents who we are as Kiwis, so the new flag with a silver fern as a part of it would be a great option I believe."

McCaw joined fellow All Blacks team mate Dan Carter, who now plays in France, as two high-profile sports people to come out in favour of a new flag in the last week.