McCaw's supposed date 'deserves best'
A rumoured relationship between Tauranga hockey player Gemma Flynn and one of the country's most eligible bachelors has the support from a former school friend.
It was reported that the Black Sticks midfielder and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw have been dating for at least six months. It is understood the couple spent Christmas together.
One of Flynn's friends at Tauranga Girls' College said she did not know anything about the rumoured relationship between the sports stars but said if they were together it would be good.
The friend, who would not be named, said Flynn was a compassionate person.
"She is such a nice girl, very outgoing, really fun and always lives life to the full. She's very dedicated and passionate about her hockey and works really hard.
"In terms of dating, regardless of who she's with, she deserves the absolute best."
Flynn did not return phone calls to the Bay of Plenty Times.
She attended Tauranga Intermediate and Tauranga Girls' College before moving to Auckland to pursue her hockey career. She is a student at Massey University, studying towards a bachelor's degree in sports science.
Flynn, 22, is regarded as one of the country's top hockey players.
In 2008, she made her Black Sticks debut as a 17-year-old, against Korea in Auckland. Later that year she was chosen to represent New Zealand in the Beijing Olympics .
Last year she was part of the team that went to the London Olympics.
On Tuesday, Flynn was named in the Black Sticks squad for the five-test series against Argentina starting on February 24.
McCaw's agent, Dean Hegan - who also acts for team-mate Dan Carter - could not confirm details of the rumoured romance.
He said he doubted McCaw would speak about anything to do with a relationship.
In April, McCaw told Radio Live: "There's actually no one at the moment - I'm still on the lookout."
His past girlfriends include broadcaster Nicola Grigg and sports presenter and dancer Hayley Holt.
