McCaw takes charge

McCaw takes charge

13 May 2006

Richie McCaw was officially named as the new All Black captain on Saturday, replacing the retired Tana Umaga.

The 25-year-old McCaw has already captained the All Blacks in two Tests against Wales in 2004 and Ireland last year. He is the All Blacks’ 60th Test captain.

“As well as a great honour and privilege, it is a big challenge to captain the All Blacks,” said McCaw. “Along with the other team leaders, I hope we can keep improving on the success of the last 18 months and play some exciting rugby. New Zealand has some excellent players right now who are enjoying the game and I’m looking forward to the job.”

“It’s a natural step for Richie McCaw to take on the captain’s role,” said coach Graham Henry. “He has been an All Black since 2001, he is a world class player, and he has led the team well in previous Tests. He has also been a highly successful captain with the Crusaders and with Canterbury.”

Henry also confirmed that McCaw is expected to lead the All Blacks into their 2006 season in Hamilton on 10 June.

“It would be appropriate for Richie to lead the team in the first Test of the year against Ireland.”


9 Comments

  • 1.cane: Reply to this comment
    13 May 2006, 11:53 am

    Congrats Ritchie, Good Luck.

  • 2.BrumbyIV: Reply to this comment
    13 May 2006, 12:12 pm

    looks like glass jaw will be out until the beginning of the trinations

  • 3.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    13 May 2006, 12:36 pm

    Well Done Richie, You have the most prestigous job in NZ now, join a long line of great skippers. Good Luck.

  • 4.Tomsta: Reply to this comment
    13 May 2006, 12:43 pm

    yep, this man is a great leader. congrats.

    ill be honest though, a group of mates and i have a wager on how long his rugby days will last. hopefully injury doesnt end this exceptional talent but he already has a history of head issues. most of the money is on him not making 2007 world cup. hope we wrong. very wrong.
    again richie hope u have successful reign as captain, but not too successful as the boks gonna win RWC2007.

  • 5.mcCawesome: Reply to this comment
    13 May 2006, 13:34 pm

    Sorry to hear you sound so bitter Brumby IV. There’s always 2007
    I think you made a typo “class jaw”.

  • 6.BrumbyIV: Reply to this comment
    13 May 2006, 13:58 pm

    class jaws don’t get broken

  • 7.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    13 May 2006, 15:27 pm

    Well what ever kinda jaw he has, lets just hope he plays well for the rest of the season.

    To take the pressure off of him in the game, have him play at blindside.

    Cane suggested the following:

    6.McCaw
    7.Masoe
    8.Collins

    Now thats an awesome loos trio for the AB’s, and you can have Holah on the bench, as McCaw and Masoe also cover Number 8 Spot.

  • 8.bluedownunder: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2006, 18:35 pm

    BrubyIV wy is McCaw the best flannker

  • 9.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    15 May 2006, 05:26 am

    Because nobody is a better fetcher than McCaw. Neither Smith nor Waugh. Not Burger. McCaw is is a class of his own.

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