McCaw running scared
3 May 2006
The Bulls can already claim a moral victory over the Crusaders after the defending champions left captain Richie McCaw out of the match 22 altogether.
McCaw does not have fond memories of Loftus Versfeld, or perhaps much memory of it at all after he was smacked unconcious in the opening minutes of the corresponding fixture last year by prop Richard Bands. The Bulls went on to record an emphatic 35-20 win.
Coach Robbie Deans goes into the must-win – for both teams – match with something of a second-string pack, which could prove suicidal against the vaunted Bulls forwards.
The Crusaders camp confirmed McCaw had no serious health issues other than Deans describing him as still being “flat”. But the Bulls will be forgiven for thinking that McCaw – one of the outstanding looseforwards in the world – is just scared of what awaits him in the rarefied atmosphere at Loftus.
Australian players voted Loftus the worst place to visit, and it would be surprising if the New Zealanders actually found a trip to Pretoria appealing. McCaw certainly seems content to sit on the sidelines and avoid any nasty clashes with the big Bulls pack.
One wonders just how he is going to cope when he returns for the All Blacks in the Tri-Nations with the match also set to take place at Fortress Loftus. The second Tri-Nations Test between the two is also at altitude, with the Boks and All Blacks clashing at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium a week later.
Deans, however, believed McCaw would be ready to front the Brumbies in Christchurch next weekend where there was a need to have fresh players.
It’s a huge gamble with the Crusaders’ playoffs chances on the line over the final two weeks of round-robin action.
Crusaders team: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Caleb Ralph, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andrew Ellis; 8 Mose Tuiali’i, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Johnny Leo’o, 5 Reuben Thorne (c), 4 Chris Jack, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett. Replacements: 16 Tone Kopelani, 17 Campbell Johnstone, 18 Craig Clarke, 19 Brad Mika, 20 Kevin Senio, 21 Cameron McIntyre, 22 Stephen Brett/Scott Hamilton.
By Andrew Hollely
573 Comments
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 12 » Show All
3 May 2006, 10:09 am
One swallow does not make a summer
3 May 2006, 10:09 am
When men were men and sheep were nervous…
3 May 2006, 10:10 am
I think it is perfectly reasonable to assume that he is scared. And I don’t blame him either. No worries mate, yous still a good player!
3 May 2006, 10:11 am
McCaw is still FLAT after being squashed by Bands last year… lame excuse Dean! Be honest – he’s peeing in his pants!
3 May 2006, 10:11 am
Think he is more scared of the crowd than the players
3 May 2006, 10:11 am
Andrew
Tossing the chum out I see to see what fish are attracted.
3 May 2006, 10:12 am
Big woes!
3 May 2006, 10:14 am
Brads, Had a few bites already…
3 May 2006, 10:14 am
I dont buy it.
I think this McCaw issue has been dragged too far now.Time to shut it.
The Blue Machine will be gunning for anything that Red,Black and moving on the field come match day.
3 May 2006, 10:14 am
Moegrat, that is quite possible, and also very affective!
3 May 2006, 10:16 am
Or he just cant stand the Steve Mofmeyer song “Die Bloubal”
3 May 2006, 10:16 am
anyway, i’m selling him in my fantasy team, so this had better be on the up and up!
3 May 2006, 10:17 am
Jeez, who farkin wrote this? Andrew Hollely – how clueless can one writer be?
3 May 2006, 10:19 am
Or perhaps the Crusaders management don’t see the point of risking him in a game where they probably won’t need him to win and even if they didn’t win, they would still be well on track for a semi.
The Crusaders aren’t looking their best at the moment, but the Bulls would be very silly to underestimate them on the basis that McCaw is not playing.
And before anyone jumps up and down on me, I am not suggesting I want the Crusaders to win. I would love to see the Bulls in the semis, but the reality is that the Crusaders are the best side in the Super 14 and I doubt they are going to let another one slip by them.
3 May 2006, 10:20 am
Frazer, what would you know?
3 May 2006, 10:20 am
Maybe Piet van Zyl will be at Loftus – and he hasn’t forgotten McCaw giving him a cheap shot.
3 May 2006, 10:20 am
take a chill pill Frazer, geez. having a bit of fun is also an option.
3 May 2006, 10:22 am
Ye Piet van Zyl pretty much sums up the Bulls crowd
3 May 2006, 10:22 am
You know what Vetkoek , after the Tahs in Dunnedin,many are saying that they truly are the best of the lot.Yeah they lost to the Saders but the Saders are looking jaded after the last 2 games.
We ‘ll see.
3 May 2006, 10:23 am
Moegrat – too true
3 May 2006, 10:23 am
gecho
Exactly. Piet was hardly in any state to defend himself after expending all his energy evading security and then attacking the ref.
A cheap shot of the top drawer!
3 May 2006, 10:24 am
Whenever a pack is expected to dominate, they don’t!
The Bulls pack will not overpower the Saders.
3 May 2006, 10:25 am
Yes , a guy has played against the likes of jerry collins is afraid of the bulls a mid table s14 side LOL!! I think this could be a 200+ bb celebration thread well done to keo for finding new ways to generate hits.
3 May 2006, 10:25 am
Andrew lad it’s all quite sensible.The Bulls are physical the Crusaders are for all intents and purposes through why risk McCaw who will be needed to lead the team in the knockouts against the really decent teams.Never forget his value to NZ rugby as well.It is only in SA that we don’t understand this concept of resting/protecting players that are important.
3 May 2006, 10:26 am
You Bulls fans must do yourself a favour one day and buy some “veldore” and listen what the Bulls say when the other team just scored
“Ouens julle moet fokkken tackle, waar’s die bal waar’s die bal”
3 May 2006, 10:27 am
Frazer,
Gaan praat jou kak op n ander plek.
Andrew weet aansienlik meer van rugby as jy.
Hy is n Bulls ondersteuner…
3 May 2006, 10:27 am
Or maybe he can afford to be rested because a) the bulls are quite an average side, as they showed us in the 2nd 40 last weekend and b) macaw won’t make that muck of a difference to the scoreline if any
3 May 2006, 10:29 am
Aaaaah the mighty Richard Bands who has dominated the Super 14 this year……. Oooops forgot he was the chump that didn’t feature.
3 May 2006, 10:30 am
moegrat: hoe weet jy dit??
Stan: you go boy!
3 May 2006, 10:31 am
Need a favour guys
Can anyone email me a bulls logo A4 size
andre@internet-sa.co.za
3 May 2006, 10:32 am
come on andrew, this is sensationalism at its worst. i truley doubt mccaw is scared of the bulls pack. he is the form opensider in the world. the man is a class player, maybe a bit of a cheat but not a *****. crusaders will still win it, i hope the bulls pull it out of the hat though.
3 May 2006, 10:32 am
I can read lips
3 May 2006, 10:32 am
Moegrat, miskien moet JDV ook na die raad van “julle moet tackle” luister.
3 May 2006, 10:33 am
lets hope that the bulls can finally play for 80 min this season. they’ll never beat the crusaders by not playing the hole game.
And y does that moron heyneke meyer always take bakkies off after 60 min, just when the pack needs him most. typical afrikaner dutchmen. put him at outside centre or something…. bakkies and big vic have way more skill and flair than that square-headed jp nel! all he can do is run like a hunchback!
3 May 2006, 10:35 am
Pieter van Zyl has been reincarnated as a black cat.
3 May 2006, 10:35 am
lovemuscle, i think i’m having de ja vu?????
3 May 2006, 10:36 am
cummon man, if u are a rugby player of his class how could u get anywhere if u r scared? yeah, the bulls are intimidating and rough but so are many many other rugby teams.
why was he not scared but rested when it came to the stormers game? lets face it, its not as if bands meant to knock him out, it was just a clash, can happen anytime.
u bully boys dont need to resort to this kind of stupid, i am meaner than you, brovado. your team is good enough that u can just keep quiet and watch what happens.
go bulls, our hopes rest on you guys now.
3 May 2006, 10:37 am
i don’t know what the fuss is about the article. richie is clearly scared. end of story.
3 May 2006, 10:38 am
Breeker & knesboy: The purpose of this website is to get you talking and sharing opinions. Looks like this article id doing just that!
3 May 2006, 10:39 am
Mccaw might no be afraid, but his coach is.
3 May 2006, 10:40 am
Anvil,
Definitely agree that the Tahs have been awesome this year, but the Crusaders have been a class act for many years, with a good coach and a class squad. It’s close between the 2 for form this year (as is evident when you look at the log – both on 42 points), but the Crusaders have my respect as the best side in the competition.
3 May 2006, 10:41 am
Sorry Stan – I don’t speek pigeon dutch, so I can’t converse with you.
Kitty – What’s would you like to know?
3 May 2006, 10:43 am
ah, he’s back! thought you ran awauy scared like McCaw….
What makes you think you have a clue?
3 May 2006, 10:43 am
Ja, Stan, luister vir Frazer hy praat nie “pigeon dutch” nie, hy praat hollangs.
3 May 2006, 10:44 am
Breeker,
Fully agree.This article is sensationalism at its best.How many times do we need this McCaw playing/not playing issue shoved down our throats hey ?
3 May 2006, 10:46 am
Maybe the Crusaders thinking are based on the fact the Dlulane is still fairly inexperienced – and before him the Bulls hardly played with a true opensider – so they feel they don’t need to pick the #1 opensider in the world.
3 May 2006, 10:47 am
lovemuscle… “typical afrikaner dutchmen”…??? As opposed to what??? typical english wanker…??? Stop generalising you *******
3 May 2006, 10:47 am
jammer om van jou kak te **** Frazer.
3 May 2006, 10:47 am
McCaw hettie ‘n bang haar op sy koppie.
Saders he die beste loosie oppie planet, die beste S14 span, die beste gameplan, die beste rekord, ens,ens,ens.
Maar dis nie te se die Bulls kan dit nie maak nie.
3 May 2006, 10:49 am
I could ask you the same thing, Kitty…
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 12 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.