All Blacks captain Richie McCaw channels Men in Black for Air New Zealand safety video

McCaw is set to become the most capped Test rugby player in history during the 2015 Rugby World Cup

Kiran Moodley
Thursday 13 August 2015 14:03 BST
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There are a number of ways, routines and superstitions sport teams prepare for big tournaments. This one might be the most bizarre yet.

Teaming up with national carrier Air New Zealand, All Blacks captain Richie McCaw geared up for this year's Rugby World Cup - where he is set to become the most capped Test rugby player in history - by creating an on board safety video that parodies Men in Black. The name? The rather original Men in Black Safety Defenders.

Joined by Dan Carter as a black agent, McCaw is not the only rugby star to appear: coach Steve Hansen, team mates Kieran Read, Keven Mealamu, Sam Whitelock and Israel Dagg also help out, as does former England captain Martin Johnson.

McCaw's appearance in the 2015 World Cup in England will see the All Blacks captain in line to make his 142nd Test appearance and become the most capped Test rugby player in history, surpassing Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll.

Air New Zealand Head of Global Brand Development Jodi Williams said of the light-hearted project, "We’ve worked with the All Blacks on previous safety videos and thought it would be fun this time around to have them step into the shoes of the other highly trained Men in Black. The result is not only entertaining but makes people sit up and take notice of the key safety messages.”

McCaw added, "We had a lot of laughs on set and were blown away by Israel’s hidden singing talent. If rugby doesn’t work out for him he clearly has a promising career as a back-up singer."

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