McCaw under fire again
2 Apr 2006
Crusaders coach Robbie Deans insists Richie McCaw does not deliberately break the law at the breakdown.
McCaw showed against the Hurricanes why he is regarded as the best flanker in the world at turning possession over, killing it and slowing it down.
‘Canes coach Colin Cooper was furious that New Zealand referee Paul Honiss didn’t send McCaw to the sin bin in Wellington, but Deans lept to the defence of his captain.
“It’s such a split second thing and there is no doubt he is the best practitioner of his trade,” said the Crusaders coach. “It means he is often in a position to attack the ball and whether it’s deemed to be illegal or not, who knows. Given you put yourself in that position more often than others, you are going to get calls both ways.
“The thing is that he’s the best in the game,” Deans said. “He’s omnipresent and as a result he’s witnessed a bit more often. People think he must be doing something wrong but often it’s because he’s just too quick for others.”
The Hurricanes frustration with McCaw was evident when prop Neemia Tialata punched his All Black team-mate at a ruck.
Neither McCaw nor Deans would comment on whether Tialata should have been punished.
“I think it was just frustration after I had conceded the penalty. It was just one of those things. Let’s leave it out there,” said McCaw.
Deans said: “It was a pretty ugly incident but it’s happened and, as Richie said, we want to leave it on the field.”
21 Comments
2 Apr 2006, 21:48 pm
he’s a dragoness
2 Apr 2006, 22:04 pm
Nice to see the Canes on the wrong side of a decision for a change.
2 Apr 2006, 22:25 pm
McCaw to get sin binned in NH during RWC.
3 Apr 2006, 01:39 am
it seems nz, aussie and SA refs all drink from the same glass. all are **** scared of sending mccaw off for things that any other player would get binned without a blink of the eye.
sarky, i think u rite…those poncy english, welsh and irish refs would love to see the back of mccaw especially in world cup fixtures. are there any rules regarding repeated sin binnings/ yellows and reds at the world cup. do players have to miss a game or something to that effect?
3 Apr 2006, 01:40 am
He’s even too quick for thr ref!
3 Apr 2006, 03:32 am
A few Yellow cards will slow him down like they did with Schalk Burger. Almost the same story. We must jump on the bandwagon and join the pressure put on him like they did with Schalk
3 Apr 2006, 04:25 am
McCaw doesn’t deliberately break the laws, and Capetownians are straight!
3 Apr 2006, 05:24 am
Yeah rite and pigs don’t fly in the middle of july.
3 Apr 2006, 07:07 am
i have nice cabbage today
3 Apr 2006, 08:27 am
NZ seem to play well with 14-13 men on the field.
3 Apr 2006, 09:28 am
CHEATING?
So!
McCaw and every other player who challenges a Ref’s discretion is a cheat?
3 Apr 2006, 09:36 am
What then do you label a player who identifies a Ref’s flash point and keeps his indiscretions under his radar?
All the while other players are being dismissed for 10 minutes or for the rest of the match.
Here is something else, just how many time’s has McCaw been dismissed for an infringement – where it actually made a difference!
3 Apr 2006, 10:50 am
The Canes and their coach are justifiably sore about losing. Richie like our Schalkie takes it to the limit. If Richie had been playing for the AB’s, there would be none of these accusations of cheating emananting from Wellington. What the hell, Schalk, Luke W, George S, Phil W, Richie McC, Josh Blackie et al all take it to the limit. They are also all great flankers!
3 Apr 2006, 11:01 am
check it out with your other eye. not the one that is closed.
3 Apr 2006, 11:10 am
nah. he’s a great player, its just the other playres dont get themselves into these positions, occasionally he does go offside, but i dont see the poblem of slowing the ball from an onside position, its what competing for the ball is all about.
3 Apr 2006, 11:13 am
McCaw does nothing that is not done by any of the other greats, its the laws and the way they are interpreted by referees, linesmen and THE SUPPORTERS that cause the stink about who ‘cheats’ and who does’nt ‘cheat’ …
3 Apr 2006, 11:14 am
And McCaw is a great player
3 Apr 2006, 11:15 am
I don’t think McCaw cheats – rules exist and if you can bend them without being caught – well then you are better at your craft than anyone else – he is and will be an All Black legend regardless of people whining about his ability to #### them up on the ground.
3 Apr 2006, 13:08 pm
Ever wonder why McCaw gets so many hits to his head ?
Ask Ali Williams !
3 Apr 2006, 18:45 pm
He isn’t cheating if he is too quick for the ref!
3 Apr 2006, 22:27 pm
Richie is like any poacher. Always outside the laws which no-one minds if he’s on their team.
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