McCaw running scared

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

  • 301.londonshark: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 14:41 pm

    Frazer,I think the rules are fine. The only rules which need to be looked at are the ones at scrum time (thats a lotto if there ever was one).

    I would also favour a rule that gives a player complete freedom at the ruck if he is on his feet as long as he doen’t go offside.

    That way both teams would be forced to commit more players to the ruck, creating gaps out wide and leading to a more entertaining game.

  • 302.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 14:43 pm

    Andrew you plank.If McCaw is scared of the bulls then I suppose it would be right to conclude that Habana is scared of the Crusaders.The clash of heads he had with Bands was a freak accident and by no ways intentional.

  • 303.Blouste: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 14:45 pm

    Bliksem,bliksem,bliksem, my bliksem…….

  • 304.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 14:56 pm

    Yes blix,

    But tomorow is nog a dag…

  • 305.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 14:58 pm

    Andrew what do you mean tomorrow is another day?Sorry I forgot you dont take your job seriously.

  • 306.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 14:59 pm

    Bliksem – two words for you: WIND – UP

  • 307.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:01 pm

    In the real world Frazer its called someting else-one word:unproffesional

  • 308.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:02 pm

    Bliksem – 3 words for you: SENSE – OF – HUMOUR

  • 309.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:03 pm

    Frazer I have a sense of humour but **** headings like that I find pathetic not funny.

  • 310.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:13 pm

    Whatever blows your hair back dude, or whatever doesn’t – it’s all good. We had quite a good time winding up the Kiwis earlier who didn’t see the humour in it either. So I guess you’re not alone, although you are in the company of Kiwis now. But like I said, whatever floats your boat dude…

  • 311.londonshark: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:15 pm

    Bliksem, you are way uptight mate. Your holier than thou attitude is getting boring.

  • 312.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:18 pm

    How’s London treating you today Londonshark?

  • 313.londonshark: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:18 pm

    way TO uptight..typo

  • 314.Kitty: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:18 pm

    hi bliksem! nice of you to join us!

    See you wasted no time getting this revved up again… :-)

  • 315.londonshark: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:19 pm

    Frazer,not bad actually. Its around 18 degrees out and the sun is kinda shining. Spring has finally arrived (hopefully).

  • 316.londonshark: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:20 pm

    I am however surround by 30 ‘wonderful’ British kids (I teach computer science) but as I said, at least the sun is shining.

  • 317.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:20 pm

    Good stuff. Where in London Town are you based?

  • 318.Kitty: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:20 pm

    londonshark: That’s what’s happening here with our weather… we call it winter…

  • 319.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:21 pm

    Kitty dont you have a Botox appointment or something to go to.

  • 320.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:21 pm

    British kids – ugh. Cheeky little farkers, aren’t they? And you can’t even give them a warm ear for fear of getting locked up…

  • 321.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:23 pm

    Kitty – nice to have you back…

  • 322.Kitty: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:23 pm

    warm ear?? they need a warm backside! heard some very interesting stories about the british kids…

    Bliksem: you make me laugh so much that even botox wouldn’t help me!

  • 323.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:23 pm

    New Zealand chicks are ugly farkers.Pity you can teach someone manners but if someone is ugly its hard to change that.

  • 324.Kitty: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:24 pm

    you should know, hey bliksem??

  • 325.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:25 pm

    Yes I do Kitty,thats about the New Zealand chicks being ugly in general.

  • 326.londonshark: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:25 pm

    I’m based in Raynes Park (right next to wimbledon village), great area.

    You?

  • 327.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:25 pm

    Yeah, but I wonder if a sense of humour can be tought?… What do you think, Bliksem?

  • 328.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:26 pm

    That is a great area. I was based in Ealing for a while. Back in good ol’ Josey now…

  • 329.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:27 pm

    Frazer.Dennis Leary is funny,Andrew Dice Clay is funny.Eddie Izzard is funny.

  • 330.londonshark: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:28 pm

    Enjoying the famous Josey winter sun yet Frazer. Man I miss that.

  • 331.Kitty: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:29 pm

    Bliksem, the ugly thing went straight over your head…

    Frazer, nothing wrong with joeys! Do you miss london?

  • 332.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:29 pm

    So you think Andrew Dice Clay is funny, but you don’t think the idea of McCaw being **** scared is funny?

  • 333.Blouste: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:29 pm

    Kitty

    Tell us about the stories you’ve heard please…….

  • 334.Kitty: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:31 pm

    sorry blouste… they’re censored!

  • 335.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:32 pm

    Londonshark – It’s only just starting to get cold now. Very overcast today, so no winter sun to speak of.

    Kitty – Actually, no, I don’t really miss London at all. I miss my peeps there though. Luckily we’re on going on holiday together at the end of the year though, so it will be nice to see them again…

  • 336.Kitty: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:33 pm

    sounds cool! where are you going? I have tons of friends in London too. wish they’d come home!

  • 337.Blouste: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:34 pm

    Kitty, dont make me begg……..

  • 338.Kitty: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:35 pm

    why not blouste… i like it when you beg… ;-)

  • 339.londonshark: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:35 pm

    I’m really enjoying London at the mo but will def leave in a few years (or once that little red book finds its way into my pocket).

    The money here is bloody good too. I’m saving around R8000 a month without even trying.

  • 340.Kitty: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:37 pm

    holy ****…. sorry….
    i think i better come to London….
    ho hum… i love SA but the money can’t compare…

  • 341.Blouste: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:37 pm

    Then you should have just asked …….

  • 342.Blouste: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:40 pm

    Kitty, you can make that in 2 good nights at teazers..:-)

  • 343.Xkreni-WP: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:41 pm

    And you can even be Brazilian

  • 344.Kitty: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:42 pm

    on a bad night i make about R6000. but it’s hard work blouste….
    when are you going to come and visit me there??

  • 345.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:43 pm

    Londonshark – it’s funny what you miss, isn’t it? I used to miss full on summer thunder & lightning storms

  • 346.londonshark: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:44 pm

    Kitty, my plan is to rape the UK of its pounds and settle in SA/Aus. Its the only way someone my age can afford to buy property back home.

  • 347.Kitty: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:44 pm

    WP – you’ve clearly heard the Teazers add… i’m a brazillian south african by the way!

  • 348.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:45 pm

    Kitty – going to Boston and New York over December and New Years. New Years in Times Square – should be a jol.

  • 349.Kitty: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:45 pm

    LS – how old are you?

  • 350.Kitty: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:46 pm

    Frazer – wow! the ultimate holiday by the sound of things! i’m very jealous!

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