New Zealand's Richie McCaw has announced his retirement from rugby, less than three weeks after captaining the All Blacks to a second World Cup win.

"I'm hanging up my boots having accomplished everything I could have ever dreamed about in the game. Knowing that I was able to end my career by helping the All Blacks win the Rugby World Cup Final is a hugely satisfying feeling", McCaw told the press overnight in Wellington.

No player in the history of rugby had played more international matches than McCaw. The 34-year-old lined out for his country 148 times.

Here are some of the numbers that show just how dominant McCaw was in his career.

148: The amount of times McCaw played for the All Blacks. No player has played as many games in international rugby.

141: McCaw has started more international matches than anyone else.

131: No player has won as many matches as McCaw in their international careers.

110: McCaw is the only player to captain his country more than 100 times in international rugby.

89: The percentage of international games McCaw won during his career.

27: Since 1903, McCaw has played in 27% of New Zealand's 538 test matches.

27: The amount of tries of McCaw scored for New Zealand. No forward crossed the try line more.

15: McCaw lost just over 10% of matches he played for New Zealand.

14: Including his debut, McCaw played against Ireland 14 times.

3: For a player that was perceived to play on the edge of the rules, McCaw only ever received three yellow cards in his international career.

3: The number of times he was named IRB Player of the Year. Only Dan Carter has won the award as many times.

2: McCaw is the only player to captain two World Cup winning sides.