Richie McCaw reveals why he said no to royal wedding
Richie McCaw has turned down an invitation to attend Prince William's wedding next month because he wants to focus on getting fit to lead the All Blacks at this year's Rugby World Cup.
McCaw was stunned to receive the gold‑embossed invite for the prince's wedding to Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. But the Crusaders flanker says his priority is recovering from foot surgery and be in shape for the World Cup hosts.
"Had I still been injured and it not been a World Cup year, then I'm sure things would have been different," said the 30-year-old.
"It was a heck of an honour to get an invitation and I felt a bit lucky. To be honest, I was surprised to be invited although I have met William a few times."
McCaw and All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter gave Prince William a tour of Auckland's Eden Park - venue for the World Cup Final - during his three-day tour of New Zealand last year.
The prince played rugby at university and is vice-patron of the Welsh Rugby Union. Former Wales captain Gareth Thomas has been invited to the wedding as has ex‑England football skipper David Beckham.
Meanwhile, England will play three of their World Cup pool matches in Dunedin after organisers today confirmed the venues for matches moved from Christchurch after the devastating earthquake.
The International Rugby Board said five pool matches have been switched because of damage to the AMI Stadium, hotels and the city's infrastructure.
England were already scheduled to face Romania in Dunedin on September 24 but team manager Martin Johnson and his men will now also meet Argentina there on September 10 and Georgia eight days later.
