Richie McCaw's final warning to Kieran Read

Retired All Blacks legend Richie McCaw knows what it's like to play in New Zealand with a World Cup on the line, knowing that it will be your last season in the black jersey.

The 148-test veteran had some grounding advice for the current All Blacks captain, warning him against getting emotional with the season ahead of him.

"You do have to be careful if you think 'this is the last time for that' and get too nostalgic or whatever," McCaw told Newstalk ZB.

"You still want to put everything into each day so you can perform. Knowing the type of guy he is, he'll have no trouble I'm sure."

Speaking from experience, McCaw said that the time comes where you know that it's the right time to say farewell but once you do, it makes it easier to focus in on what you are doing.

"Thinking back to my time it actually becomes obvious that it's the right time. People always say you know and when you get to that point you do know," McCaw said.

"It's still quite hard to actually say those words and then the next step is quite a tough one. Everyone has different sorts of circumstances and different ideas what to do but it takes a while to get that sorted."

"Once you make a decision like that it makes it easier to focus on what he's doing."

McCaw decided to end his career after the World Cup, forgoing the opportunity to play overseas for a lucrative contract. Read has announced he will stay in Japan and play on a one-year deal with Toyota Verblitz.

"Everyone's got different ideas what's for them when they finish. But good luck to him.

"He's obviously still interested in playing and Japan will be something different and the family will have a bit of a travel," McCaw said.

Read had been linked with Top 14 heavyweights Racing 92 and a move to England, but felt a switch to the Top League was his best option considering the proximity to New Zealand and the player load.

“With three kids and a family it is a lot closer to home,” Read said. “And for my age, and my body, in terms of the amount of footy you play there compared to Europe and the UK. They are probably the main reasons.”

“It was reasonably straightforward. There were different options, but I just really sat down and looked at all the different aspects of making a decision – it really stood out, I guess, in terms of Japan and the Toyota club as well.

“It offered something pretty unique to be there and enjoy a slice of Japan life.”

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