Murray Kinsella reports from London
SO, THIS IS to be the end of the reign of Richie McCaw as King of New Zealand.
The 34-year-old is expected to retire following tomorrow’s World Cup final against Australia, but hasn’t confirmed any such plan on the record. McCaw has instead been intently focused on the job at hand, keen not to distract from the Kiwis’ preparations.
It’s always been the case over a Test career that will stand at 148 caps after tomorrow’s contest in Twickenham, and picking out games among that remarkable figure in which McCaw underperformed is an extremely difficult task.
There are McCaw haters everywhere expect in New Zealand, those who view the openside flanker as a cheat, a man who has lived offside throughout his career and has never been punished to the extent others have.
Like any good player, the Kiwi skipper pushes the boundaries intelligently but those who view him as only that have been missing out.
A grafter from his earliest rugby days in the Kurow club, through Otago Boys’ High School and into the famed Canterbury set-up, McCaw has consistently added layers of skill to his game.
The Oamaru native did seem to be born with an in-built turnover detector, a nose that picked up the scent of a pilfer quicker than any other, but that breakdown ability was honed through the same hard work that has underpinned everything else McCaw has offered New Zealand rugby.
Anyone who has read McCaw’s book, ‘The Open Side,’ will understand how much he has been driven by what he perceives as the ultimate privilege – wearing the most famous jersey in the game.
Ahead of his 148th cap for the Kiwis, that much has not wavered.
“When you are a young fella growing up playing rugby, you want to be an All Black, that is your dream,” said McCaw at Pennyhill Park yesterday.
“The first time, I never wanted the moment to finish. Every time since, I always take a moment during the week to realise how lucky I am to pull on the black jersey. Then, once you get past that, it’s about leaving something of yourself in there.
“That is what being an All Black requires – that you add to what has gone before. You don’t want to let it down. That is the attitude I’ve had. You don’t ever want to let it down.”
Paul O’Connell said much the same of wearing green in Tom English’s ‘No Borders: Playing Rugby for Ireland’. The legendary lock understood that he never owned his Ireland jersey, that he had to add to what had gone before and leave it in a better place.
There is a similarity between McCaw and O’Connell as leaders, both of them being so capable of inspiring teammates every time they play.
No captain has guided their team to more Test victories than McCaw. That is a reflection of the quality he has had around him since taking over the captaincy in 2006, but also speaks volumes of his ability to motivate teammates.
It wasn’t always plain sailing though, with the 2007 World Cup quarter-final defeat to France seeing McCaw’s leadership hammered.
“I think he’s probably the greatest player we’ve ever had play the game, certainly for New Zealand,” said his head coach Steve Hansen yesterday.
“As a leader, he copped a bit of flak in 2007. In my mind, leaders aren’t made, they are grown. You’re not born a leader, you learn through your experiences, and a lot of those experiences can be negative ones that you have to learn pretty sharply from.
“He copped a lot of flak in ’07, he’s grown through that adversity. He is now probably one of the great leaders of all time, to go with being a great player. And he’s a good bloke, so he’s got the trifecta.”
Those outside the All Blacks group can’t really judge McCaw as a bloke, but in the other two parts he certainly stands up to rigorous analysis.
Underrated as a ball carrier, McCaw has the strong handling skills that are a pre-requisite for any Kiwi international, is superb in using his body to influence the breakdown battle, tackles ferociously and contributes handsomely to the set-piece too.
His tactical decision-making on the pitch – what to do and when to do it – has been a key part of his leadership, as have the standards he sets in training on a daily basis. Where McCaw pushes himself, others follow.
McCaw’s presence tomorrow will be a comfort, even to the more experienced members of the New Zealand side. His CV includes lifting the last World Cup trophy, but the man himself feels it has little bearing other than bringing an awareness of what the Kiwis will have to produce in terms of work rate.
“The only thing you take out of being in a final before is you know how deep you have to dig to get across the line,” said McCaw. “At some point – and last week we had a bit of it – it comes down to making sure you’re working in the one or two moments that could be the difference.
“Saturday may be exactly that and that’s probably the one lesson we’ve taken out of World Cups gone by. All teams that have won have had to dig pretty deep and that’s what we know we’re going to have to do this week.”
You suspect that McCaw will be able to dig deeper than anyone.
The one time he used an arm in a tackle he nearly decapitated a lad. He’s safer with his no arm efforts, plus he never gets carded for them.
He’s only ‘incredibly regretful’ because a ref finally had the stones to do something about his persistent cheap shots and dreadful technique during a game. Overrated player regardless, I hope he has the book thrown at him.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah but he’s sorry
@Carmine Lorenzo: terrible challenge but far from overrated
@Stephen Duffy: He’s not as good a 10 as the likes of ‘Barnesey’ and Stephen Jones make out.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah lads over rated. He is a work horse with a good brain and a winner. He is loyal to a club that yes we all cant abide but he is an outstanding player. Id love if he joined Munster….as unpopular that is to say but we would win a cup
@Carmine Lorenzo: I was surprised to read it was his first red card of his career. He is involved in high tackles quite regularly. Great player but plays on the edge too much for me.
He has been tackling like this for years and never sanctioned for it. He deserves everything he gets too. He’s a brilliant player but he’s a dirty player too.
@Batster: 100% agree. They need to make a statement for whole of rugby here.
His reaction indicated he realised he’d miss the Leinster game, bugger all remorse really. But the Sarries PR machine running to defend him, will ensure he gets the minimum ban possible….
Want to see him play. Class player
@ollie:
@ollie: You’re some fisherman
@Rosco Bosco: always liked him couldn’t care that he’s English. Fellas class on the ball and decapitates attackers. It’s wrong but he’s unreal
@ollie: aggressive kicking game too
@ollie: aw nobody is biting! I’ll help out. What do you mean Ollie? He’s a fouling no good so-and-so! There, is that better?
Ohhh that’s only the 4th …. maybe 5th time we’ve had to hear that sentiment??
@Dave O’Shaughnessy: actually, check how many bans he’s had
@Dave O’Keeffe:
I know, it’s terrible that he’s gotten away with it for so long.
No he is not sorry at all he is a dirty player and he is only sorry because he was been caught. He has got away with dangerous play for far too long. I hope he gets more than a slap on the hand.
Problem here is the fake arm tackle practiced by a huge percentage of today’s rugby players. They clench their muscles
and throw the arm in in what is essentially a hit rather than an attempt to grab the opponent. Unfortunately for Farrell this dodgy technique allied to the player changing direction and height at the moment of the tackle led to this incredibly dangerous tackle! Still lots of work to be done on tackle technique and defensive coaches expectations!
@CARMODY Neil: very well said.
Incredible knob
His good disciplinary record, are you having a laugh. At last a ref with the guts to stop him.
@Ian James Burgess: what do you mean the guts to stop him
It was a reckless challenge and the worst referee on the planet no matter how incompetent would have to send him off
A long time coming. Talented player but have absolutely no time for him. Filthy player.
So there is low medium and high level and if his is eventually classed as mid, what would high actually be? It would have to be a very frightening outcome it seems. Let’s just wait and see how much they are genuinely stamping out this kind of low life thug.
Big cj stander will shake him off his leg again
I am me….I can do this stuff……I am untouchable…..oh gosh, mebbe not!
Very poor tackling technique. Leads to fouls and dangerous play. Bout time he was sanctioned
Class act marred by cheap shots.
He’ll probably only get a two match ban
He’s a dirt tackler.