New Zealand star Richie McCaw has paid tribute to the late Jonah Lomu on the day that he has decided to call time on his rugby union career.

McCaw announced his retirement on Thursday, almost three weeks after he lifted the World Cup trophy following a 34-17 win over Australia.

The 34-year-old's decision comes two days after All Blacks great Lomu died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 40.

"My thoughts and condolences go to his wife and two boys," McCaw told reporters. "When I became an All Black he was in the team. To play with him was amazing. I remember one of my first games, I climbed off the bus and the mob came towards me and I thought 'this is pretty cool, being an All Black' but they kept going because they only wanted to be near to Jonah.

"There are a lot of people round the world hurting at the loss of a great man."

McCaw won 131 of his world-record 148 Tests for New Zealand.