Question marks over McCaw

Question marks over McCaw

5 May 2009

Keo.co.za brings you the latest from New Zealand’s Super 14 franchises.

Question marks over McCaw

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder is prepared to play a waiting game with Richie McCaw.

The Crusaders skipper missed last weekend’s Super 14 match against the Lions in Johannesburg because of concussion and their are now concerns the he could be out for longer then first expected.

‘It’s a day-by-day thing. He’s certainly improved from last week and over the weekend he felt really good. We will just see how he feels and take it one day at a time,’ Blackadder told rugbyheaven.co.nz. ‘We would like him to be available, of course, but there is not pressure there.’

Ripia faces familiar foe

Hurricanes flyhalf Willie Ripia is set to go up against the player who kept him sidelined at the Chiefs.

Ripia made the move to Taranaki from Waikato 18 months ago. With Stephen Donald dominating the No 10 jersey for Waikato and the Chiefs it was a natural step to take for 23-year-old.

Last year he ended the season as the Hurricanes’ goal-kicker and played in the Super 14 semi-final against the Crusaders, had to prove himself again in 2009 with coach Colin Cooper playing Piri Weepu at flyhalf in the beginning of the campaign.

A hamstring injury to Weepu saw Ripia given the chance and he has capitalised on his opportunity, forcing Weepu to come off the bench since his return.

Ripia knows he will be tested by the Chiefs and is looking forward to catching up with his former Waikato team-mates and in particular former schoolmate Liam Messam.

‘If I get the opportunity to play again I’m really looking forward to it,’ Ripia told rugbyheaven.co.nz. ‘It’s always a big test for any player who comes from that province to go back there and play against them.

‘It was a big move for me moving from Waikato, from my family and where I was comfortable. But I think it was one of my better decisions because I’m getting some starts and getting lots of game time for the Hurricanes.’


116 Comments

Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All

  • 101.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2009, 14:35 pm

    #94 Transformation:

    Have decided he’s actually Jeff Benzine.

    Forget Bantom.

  • 102.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2009, 14:36 pm

    #100 Dawn:

    I really believe I owe you an apology as well Dawn.

    But I’m not quite sure for what!

    I mean it.

  • 103.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2009, 14:50 pm

    Waar is Lelik? Ek mis haar…

  • 104.eddie: Reply to this comment
    6 May 2009, 02:19 am

    #13 poppa69:
    Does being of a certain race excuse you from rasicm Poppa?

    Making a rediculous claim like “PIs are lazy and arent good forwards” is a common theme amoung rasict ignorant stupid blues supporters, such as yourself apparently.

    I used to enjoy your posts but not anymore, I cant stand people like you.

    Sorry if this is coming on a bit strong people, but ignorance on this grand scale still amazes and angers me.

    Give yourself an uppercut, and grow up.

  • 105.Wayne Barnes no.1 Ref: Reply to this comment
    6 May 2009, 03:53 am

    McCaw is a hasbeen

  • 106.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    6 May 2009, 05:09 am

    #105 Wayne Barnes no.1 Ref:
    Correct
    He has been the best for a number of years now and probably move up to a will be for many more years.
    I am surprised at your comment though,cos going on you user name i thought you had no idea about rugby

  • 107.RugbyRulz: Reply to this comment
    6 May 2009, 06:12 am

    #105 Wayne Barnes no.1 Ref: I will borrow another bloggers tag and apply it to you as there is no other apt descriptor

    DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS

  • 108.Wayne Barnes no.1 Ref: Reply to this comment
    6 May 2009, 06:28 am

    #105 Wayne Barnes no.1 Ref: Just because i missed a crucial marginal forward pass doesn’t mean im a bad ref. Can you please show me a 100% correct reffing record? I didn’t think so, now waddle back into your rotting forest bedding cave you little flightless bird!

  • 109.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    6 May 2009, 06:31 am

    #106 Hurricane:

    Now that was clever :lol:

    .

  • 110.Wayne Barnes no.1 Ref: Reply to this comment
    6 May 2009, 06:31 am

    #107 RugbyRulz: Good for you, what ever makes you happy

  • 111.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    6 May 2009, 09:09 am

    #104 eddie: not at all, of course it doesnt…

    players like Rupeni Caucau could be so much more, and this is what I was referring to.

    imagine if this man trained with conviction, do you not think he would be an outstanding player ?

    as I stated earlier, it was a crude generalisation, and in future I’ll endeavour to word my argument better. Seems perhaps that maybe you are being a little over sensitive though… have I ever been rascist in any other post ? why would I, after 2 years of posting, suddenly start?

    you are making me out to be an evil, blinkered protagonist, when you could not be further from the truth.

    Have you ever been to the islands? I have. and it is a very laidback atmosphere, where life is simple and very relaxed. and this unfortunately carries over in a fair number of their rugby players… this WAS my point..

  • 112.whatever: Reply to this comment
    6 May 2009, 09:13 am

    #107 RugbyRulz:

    hehe………you go girl :)

  • 113.whatever: Reply to this comment
    6 May 2009, 09:15 am

    #111 poppa69:

    Hey Poppa, chill dude. I think most bloggers here know what you were saying. No probs……

  • 114.eddie: Reply to this comment
    6 May 2009, 11:25 am

    #111 poppa69:
    Yes, I apologise, just it is a common scene in Auckland rugby supporters circles to blame polynesian players when things go badly, normally saying they are lazy etc, and other racist terms. I saw your post and saw red for a bit.
    but like i said i generally like your posts, so will put it down to a misunderstanding on my part, and i apologise for any slurs.

  • 115.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    6 May 2009, 12:07 pm

    #114 eddie: no dramas at all Eddie. looking back I realise I could have said it a lot differently.

    it puzzles me that the Pacific teams can produce without question some of the most explosive and exciting running backs anywhere… but , for what reason I dont know, they never seem to have a cohesive, drilled forward pack that can match the top nations… if they could get this right, I think they would beat everyone, including the ABs and Boks..in my haste, this prob has more to do with not playing regularly and often then to being “lazy” and for that I do apologise too.

    as Tonga showed by holding SA in 07 so close… if there is to be S14 expansion, we need to get them in here. Some of their players have graced the biggest scene, and set the world alight..

    I think Isitola Maka sp? , from Samoa, with his crunching defence, or even Jonah in 95…

  • 116.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    6 May 2009, 13:07 pm

    #108 Wayne Barnes no.1 Ref:
    Not only talking about the forward pass you unbathed pom.I am as well talking about a 40 mins unrefed second half that Barnes managed to get away with,now of with you and clean yourself up

Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

Have your say

You must be logged in to post a comment.