Todd trains with All Blacks
12 Oct 2011
Openside flank Matt Todd joined the All Blacks at training although the management has denied that his involvement is a sign that Richie McCaw is battling with injury.
The All Blacks have operated for the entire World Cup campaign with no specialist cover for McCaw. New Zealand’s premier opensider and captain has struggled with a foot injury since before the 2011 Super Rugby season, and insiders say that he will undergo surgery after the global tournament.
There were doubts that he would play against Argentina in last week’s quarter-final, and rumours persist that he is not full fit ahead of this week’s showdown with Australia.
Todd was spotted at the Auckland airport earlier this week, and then at an All Blacks training session on Wednesday. According to stuff.co.nz, the All Blacks management has said that Todd ‘provided opposition’ at the practice session, as did several Blues players. Todd apparently did this in the lead up to the All Blacks’ pool game against France when the team was training in Christchurch.
All Blacks manager Darren Shand suggested that Todd’s presence in Auckland was coincidental, as he was already in town to visit his girlfriend.
The All Blacks have managed to win without McCaw at this tournament, but they would struggle to compete against a team as strong as the Wallabies, who possess the world’s leading fetcher in David Pocock, without a specialist No 7. If McCaw was unavailable, Todd would prove a worthy alternative.
There could even be a case made for Todd’s inclusion on the bench, as McCaw may also battle to last 80 minutes this Sunday.
83 Comments
12 Oct 2011, 06:20 am
Belt and braces… it’s called “proper precautions”.
12 Oct 2011, 06:28 am
Who has he been called in for? Unless a player is out of the WC injured, this is DEFINITELY not allowed.
12 Oct 2011, 06:34 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-2:
Why don’t you put a call in t the IRB and make a compaint, you can b itch and moan about Brycie at the same time.
12 Oct 2011, 06:40 am
Todd and Gear should’ve been in the squad from the get go.
12 Oct 2011, 06:49 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-3:
I was trying to get some clarification, is that so bad? Don’t be such a prick.
Careful, saying b itch in China over the internet might get the Red Army banging down your door and sending you to a labour camp for a few years.
12 Oct 2011, 06:51 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-5:
Or what do they call the Chinese army? People’s Liberation Army? Liberating who?
I guess that if Todd was training with the All Blacks, we should just let them bend the rules a little bit… that’s what Bryce Lawrence got to do.
It’s New Zealands World Cup. Fark the rules hey.
12 Oct 2011, 06:57 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-2: According to the local reporting this is within the RWC rules. I assume it is because he is not ‘training with the team’ and also is not ‘staying with the team’. Seems like a pretty ‘fine line’, but I don’t think that it is unknown for local players to help out visiting teams by providing ‘opposition’ when they are carrying injuries and need some extra players. In this case you would suspect that they have just ‘coincidentally’ picked up the closest thing they have to a David Pocock (other than McCaw) to train against with McCaw unable to train due to his foot problem.
12 Oct 2011, 07:01 am
@aliboy(aliboy)-7:
Definitely a fine line.
12 Oct 2011, 07:04 am
Local players have been picked for opposed training sessions for ALL teams throughout this RWC, as in others. Good choice to have Todd in there to best replicate the challenge that will be provided by Pocock. He’s not part of the squad, isnt staying with them or training with the team. End of.
12 Oct 2011, 07:06 am
I am a Kiwi, and whilst I want the AB’s to win this weekend, I don’t really like this move very much unless Todd doesn’t get called into the squad.
12 Oct 2011, 07:25 am
wait until todd gets officially called up & then question the kiwis’ clandestine actions.
12 Oct 2011, 07:46 am
Yes please Todd should have been in from the beginning – he had an excellent S15 and will be Richies replacement in years to come – put him on the bench !!!!
12 Oct 2011, 07:51 am
@stew(stew)-12:
I’d be worried it Todd was his replacement in years to come. Not bad but he’s not going to keep up with Brussow, Pocock or Warburton… but luckily from what I’ve heard a guy called Sam Cane is really good.
12 Oct 2011, 07:52 am
This is not legal and amounts to cheating. You have to name a replacement if you want a player to train with your squad. This is very poor form from the IRB and All Blacks. I don’t care if they say he is a “local” player acting as opposition, this is not in the spirit of the game and the rules of the tournament.
12 Oct 2011, 08:03 am
@Sonito(Sonito)-14:
You haven’t read the rules have you, you just read the highlights and knee jerked a response
For the record, every team can have anyone they like at training, provided their role is restricted to being in opposition and not as part of the team itself.
i.e. As an oppossing scrummager, or back line players working patterns
Not hard to grasp, really.
NZ rugby players around the country were lining up to offer themselves as opposition fodder during the Pool matches.
12 Oct 2011, 08:03 am
the gall knows no bounds at times.
and that goes for both the cousins.
shameful really that they cant win it like men.
12 Oct 2011, 08:09 am
@Brads(Brads)-15:
I know what the rules say dude, still does not make it right. Opposition teams do not have this luxury nor should the hosts. We all know the ulterior motives here, we are not that stupid.
12 Oct 2011, 08:27 am
Finally got the watch Wales vs Ireland reply last night. Wales are probably the best conditioned team in the WC. If France doesn’t pitch in the semi it could be a fresher Wales against an injury ravaged All Black team in the final. If Australia go through then Wales stand a good chance because Wales have beaten them on the odd occasion.
Priestland 2x better than Stephen Jones
12 Oct 2011, 08:34 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-13: He had an excellent S15 for the Saders – i dont know if he is at the std of Brussow , Pocock but he will get there , hopefully !!! He is also a great link player which does add an extra dimension to his game … At the moment the Abs definately need cover for McCaw , if he goes down in the semi , Pocock will have a field day again , i think the selectors have realised this .. I can see Victor Vito coming down with flu , take one for the team, but it does show worrying selection problems in the Ab camp
12 Oct 2011, 08:35 am
@Sonito(Sonito)-17:
Sorry, you don’t know the rules, if you did you wouldn’t be making an issue of this.
And the really sad thing about it you are so blinkered, you have entirely missed the point of why this is a story at all.
12 Oct 2011, 08:45 am
@Lions_Soutie(Lions_Soutie)-18: Got to admit Wales looked excellent against Ireland and as you said super fit – if they make it through France they will have a good go at the final …. However BMT will come into play – this is a young team have they got the experience ????
12 Oct 2011, 08:45 am
@Brads(Brads)-20:
And if he gets called up to the AB squad. Todd has even been spotted hanging out at the AB hotel so pull the other one he is just a “opposition” player.
12 Oct 2011, 08:56 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-5: You could use phrases like “the Dalai Lama is the true leader of China” every now and then and cause the Chinese Government to block keo.co.za. Then he’ll have to use some proxy to get around their great firewall.
12 Oct 2011, 08:57 am
@KiaKahaNZ(KiaKahaNZ)-39: KK, I’m 100% for the win this weekend. Donald too me is not a problem or a liability as everyone brings something. Wrapped Hosea is back as I love his mongrel, speed and power..like a mini Lomu in some respects. Kahui and Dagg, well they are just bloody magnificent and for any dos to think that that Cooper is the golden boy in relation to their running game is dreaming. If Pocock falls all over the ball, well thats fine to if the ref allows us the same deal.
Where exactly are the Wallies really going to beat us.
Desire- no
Determination- no
Physicality- no
Fitness- no
Experience- no
Attitude-no
Composure-no
Talent- no
History-no
Records-no
Team cohesion- no
Home advantage-no
Support-no
Technical nous-no
Head to head-no
Player vs Player- no
Ability to complete game plan- no
Better looking players- no
If we lose after all we have going for us the universe obviously had other ideas.
I see McCaw lifting the goods so dont worry Kiwi fans and BELIEVE.
12 Oct 2011, 10:20 am
@captain fantail(captain fantail)-24: haha well done mate, well done, cheers
12 Oct 2011, 10:28 am
@Lions_Soutie(Lions_Soutie)-18: The Welsh look bloody fit dont they? They are playing a very clear style of line defence, but the only problem there is their lack of creativity on attack.
Not being nasty here – but not too dissimilar to the boks.
12 Oct 2011, 11:58 am
“There could even be a case made for Todd’s inclusion on the bench, as McCaw may also battle to last 80 minutes this Sunday”
I assume if Todd’s playing or on the bench, McCaw is out of the WC? Or is this just fancy-full reporting?
12 Oct 2011, 12:05 pm
27-Nup
12 Oct 2011, 12:13 pm
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-5:
let me guess you studied political science in a classroom at some university and you’re an expert on China, you’ve never been here and know f uck all about this country and its people
12 Oct 2011, 12:22 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-29:
Hen’drip isnt taking it too well. A pity he was talking it up a storm before Sunday.
12 Oct 2011, 12:30 pm
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-2:
You have a point?
12 Oct 2011, 13:11 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-30:
one of many around here
12 Oct 2011, 13:33 pm
Ok, that’s interesting. I thought they should have included Todd in the TN already. Surely he must be on the bench on Sunday?
12 Oct 2011, 13:36 pm
@Lions_Soutie(Lions_Soutie)-18: Yeah, have to agree. Have a few Welsh mates and for them reaching the RWC final will be the biggest occasion in Welsh rugby history. Definitely hoping they get through …
12 Oct 2011, 13:38 pm
@KiaKahaNZ(KiaKahaNZ)-26: I think Priestland is the key. Plus with Warburton they get quick ball.
Most of my Welsh mates still think their backline coach is a moron, lol
12 Oct 2011, 14:13 pm
@danuk(danuk)-35: Priestland is apparently doubtful for the semi final, may cost them!
@KiaKahaNZ(KiaKahaNZ)-26:
They have good kickers and play well for territory. Their attack is perhaps over-reliant on big boy Jamie Roberts. They are extremely fit if Adam Jones is being mentioned as a top-performer.
12 Oct 2011, 14:35 pm
NZ rudderless without Carter.
Basketball rugby.
12 Oct 2011, 15:34 pm
@stew(stew)-12:
Agree. Todd would be better than an injured McCaw. Todd’s Super Rugby performances show that he should be able to step up to an AB role.
We could have easily not included Toeava.
12 Oct 2011, 15:38 pm
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-5:
There is no point asking him not to be a priick. He is not about to change.
12 Oct 2011, 16:45 pm
So McCheat really is on his last leg, will he join a very very long line of chokers never to win Bill.
12 Oct 2011, 21:12 pm
@RL(RL)-40:
Dont know but your man Brussow still hasnt won one yet, maybe he never will. Wonder if that will make him a bad player cos of it.
12 Oct 2011, 21:15 pm
@dr dre(dr dre)-37:
Well it got us into the semi finals.
Even without the best player in the world and playing our 3rd string # 10 we made the semis.
12 Oct 2011, 22:18 pm
@dr dre(dr dre)-37:
better to be “rudderless” than
SUNK
12 Oct 2011, 22:57 pm
According to the tournament rules a replacement player can only train with or play for a team 48 hours after the guy he is replacing is officially ruled out.
12 Oct 2011, 22:59 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-43: bloop… bloop… bloop…. *gone*
Four more years…
12 Oct 2011, 23:08 pm
The Ozzies plan will be to ‘take out’ Cruden so the hero of HK can come on (McCaw & Read are going to have big bullseyes on them too).
Hopefully Weepu has 80 minutes in him (its a RWC SF against the Ozzies) so he can slot into 1st 5 and who ever the back up half back is, can take over 9 (probably Cowan).
At the end of the game Robbie Deans can give an elloquent speech about how he’s proud of the boys and that they’re building nicely for the 2013 Lions series.
12 Oct 2011, 23:36 pm
Not fou more years, just four years. Had we won it , it would be four more years.
12 Oct 2011, 23:36 pm
Not four more years, just four years. Had we won it , it would be four more years.
13 Oct 2011, 00:33 am
@James in NZ(James in NZ)-46: I just can’t see the Aussies winning this weekend. There will be too many factors against them – including their coach who seems to be unable to lift his team for Trans Tasman clashes. Funny that…where is he from again??
Their only hope is to bring in Ewan ASAP to deliver them some decent tactics and a motivational speech. The Kiwis wont have to worry about anyone being “taken out” while Robbie is in charge.
13 Oct 2011, 01:52 am
@jeest(jeest)-49:
“The Kiwis wont have to worry about anyone being “taken out” while Robbie is in charge”.
Judging by the comments on Stuff.co, I’m not the only kiwi who thinks that Brüssow was cynically targeted by Vickerman at the bottom of a ruck, so they are certainly capable of that sort of play, but I sincerely hope I’m wrong on that count.
Genia has said this week that they’re going to be targeting our small, ‘wet behind the ears’ flyhalf and who can blame them.
Last week Cruden looked undaunted by filling Slade’s shoes, which has to be easier that Slade having to fill Carter’s shoes with the whole nation breathing down his neck, Cruden’s a tough kid having won the U20 WC and losing a testicle to cancer so hopefully his head stays on his shoulders.
The Ozzies game plan in the last Brisbane game of the 3N was to target our loosies, and that plan reaped dividends, Thompson and Read were out in the first 10mins (ish) & the AB’s looked pretty shell shocked for the rest of the first half.
It seems the Ozzies game plan against its SANZAR partners is now to just hit us harder than we hit them, but can they do it two weeks in a row?
Our tight five’s pride was dented by their last display in Brisbane and they’ve said (through Hore) that they’re up for revenge this week. So I agree that the AB’s ought to be able to take this one out through our forwards, along with the numerous other motivating factors, plus if we can’t do it this week, then when will we ever be able to do it?
The Ozzie’s problem has always been inconsistency, the Ozzie mindset is to never see themselves as losers, even when they actually lose (which you’ll never see on their TV or read in their press) they talk themselves up as learning, building, closing the gap etc.
This is very unlike us self-deprecating Bok and AB fans and our respective media.
So this week after beating (I agree that the officiating was a farce) the WC Boks, they’ll have been too busy smelling their own farts. The talented kids in the Walla’s will have gone from being confident to cocky and they always seem to do worst after getting a good win.
But hey they’re in with a chance and this a WC and to be frank they have nothing to lose and who knows how the ball is going to bounce in that 80 minutes, I just hope for us that Donald doesn’t get on the field.
Re Ewan getting the job, I’d love to see that, considering what he’s done with the Reds inonly two years is amazing, but Deans is obviously O’Neil’s pet and the fact that the Walla’s have now made it to the RWC semi’s means that no doubt Deans contract extension is now safe.
Getting Ewan to hand out the team jerseys for this week would be a masterstroke, but I doubt Deans ego would be comfortable allowing his closest coaching rival to do that (if it’s up to him), John Eales is in Town, he’d be a good choice too, but then why do I care about that, again belief is not their problem.
The AB’s surely won’t be taking these Wallabies lightly, as along with France they are our WC bogey teams. I better go do something productive.
Go the AB’s!
13 Oct 2011, 02:09 am
@chch(chch)-39:
You’d be sweating on Beale’s fitness.
13 Oct 2011, 02:18 am
@jeest(jeest)-49:
“including their coach who seems to be unable to lift his team for Trans Tasman clashes. Funny that…where is he from again??”
Hang on, is there another conspiracy?
If Oz lose the Sfinal then Deans is cheating?
13 Oct 2011, 02:36 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-52:
You are onto it, there is a conspiracy at every turn.
If NZ and Wales get to the final and Wales lose, that will be because Warren Gatland will have taken a fall in favour of getting first dibs at the AB’s coaching job.
13 Oct 2011, 02:51 am
@Brads(Brads)-53:
Amazing how out of the top 4 teams in the world, Kiwi coaches 3 of them.
13 Oct 2011, 03:19 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-54:
Yes it is amazing.
I don’t have a proper understanding of how the IRB rankings are calculated, but am aware that RWC games are worth double points.
Perhaps someone here can work it out.
If Wales beat France on Saturday, do they get any points, and if so, could they overtake SA?
13 Oct 2011, 03:28 am
@Brads(Brads)-55:
Yeah and thats the only problem i have with the ranking. You should not get double points at a RWC
13 Oct 2011, 03:34 am
@Brads(Brads)-55: It is double points indeed.
http://www.irb.com/rankings/explain/index.html
13 Oct 2011, 03:36 am
@Nils(Nils)-57:
Hmmm but homeside has a handicap, well lets say whoever beats the homeside gets more points.IF Wales wins this week, SA will probably slip to 4th place.
13 Oct 2011, 03:41 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-58: Not sure how it applies in the WC as everyone apart from hosts are “visitors”.
SA can slip at worst to 5th, no more. It will require loser of Wal/Fra SF doing something special to in the last game. It’s open for all. Even Aussies can be either 1st or 5th. Kiwis will not drop below SA, so worst scenario is 3rd place in the rankings.
13 Oct 2011, 03:43 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-58: And in worst case loser of Wal/Fra SF can land somewhere between Argentina and Tonga.
13 Oct 2011, 03:47 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-56: I disagree, WC is like Grand Slam in tennis, if one can use that comparision. A different value, once in 4 years.
Of course, that means, the winner likely will be 1st unless it is a 2nd tier nation or far enough behind losing finalist/semifinalists. That’s they way it is.
13 Oct 2011, 03:53 am
@Nils(Nils)-60:
Well that sucks.
Assuming France fell apart and were thrashed by Wales, it seems hardly kosher to me that it makes France a lesser ranked team than Argentina, who slipped up at the 1/4′s and didn’t even play France during the competition.
13 Oct 2011, 03:55 am
@Nils(Nils)-61:
So therefore the ranking is not a true look at who is winning consistently to a point. I notice after 2007 RWC the universe was in shambles but it didnt take long for NZ to take back its rightful position.
13 Oct 2011, 03:56 am
@Brads(Brads)-62: France did lose to Tonga, remember. In any case, france will slip between Argentina and Tonga (8th and 9th place) only if they blow both games.
In that case they fully deserve it.
13 Oct 2011, 03:59 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-63: NZ never ever dropped below 2nd place, so no, ranking do represent real balance of power. England (and SA respectively) climbed to the top spot as the WC winners and fell straight after next games.
13 Oct 2011, 04:09 am
@Brads(Brads)-62:
That is not how the system works… a team does not lose points and places when losing a game nor win points for losing… it can only get leap-frogged by winning sides moving up the ladder…
13 Oct 2011, 04:11 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-66: “a team does not lose points and places when losing a game”
It certainly does.
13 Oct 2011, 04:14 am
@Nils(Nils)-65:
Yeah as i said after the 2007 RWC, things started to return to normal.
But get this.
Ranking on August 27 2007
1) NZ 93.37 points
2) OZ 87.00 points
3) France 86.83 points
4) SA 85.36 points
5) Ireland 80.99 points
6) Argentina 80.71 points
7) England 78.83 points.
So after beating Fiji(Ranked 13) ,Argentina and England they took over as #1 ranking cos of double points. I think double points is not fair even still.
BUt hey we have to live with it
13 Oct 2011, 04:15 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-66:
While I would like that to be true, I was under the impression the points gained by the winner came off the loser ranking points.
That being the case, and double points apply, where does the winners douuble points come from other than the loser.
13 Oct 2011, 04:15 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-68: Do not forget NZ lost a huge chunk of points thanks to France.
13 Oct 2011, 04:18 am
@Brads(Brads)-69: Winner wins points AND loser loses. Simple illustration.
Before NZ and Aus loss in QF 2007.
1(1) NEW ZEALAND 93.37
2(2) AUSTRALIA 87.73
3(3) SOUTH AFRICA 86.40
4(4) ARGENTINA 85.53
5(5) FRANCE 84.50
After
1(1) NEW ZEALAND 89.59
2(5) FRANCE 88.27
3(3) SOUTH AFRICA 86.40
4(4) ARGENTINA 85.83
5(2) AUSTRALIA 84.20
Big difference.
13 Oct 2011, 04:19 am
@Brads(Brads)-69: Including Aussie beaters English, the picture is as follows.
Before
1(1) NEW ZEALAND 93.37
2(2) AUSTRALIA 87.73
3(3) SOUTH AFRICA 86.40
4(4) ARGENTINA 85.53
5(5) FRANCE 84.50
6(7) ENGLAND 80.07
After
1(1) NEW ZEALAND 89.59
2(5) FRANCE 88.27
3(3) SOUTH AFRICA 86.40
4(4) ARGENTINA 85.83
5(2) AUSTRALIA 84.20
6(6) ENGLAND 83.60
13 Oct 2011, 04:21 am
@Nils(Nils)-67:
It’s core rating after that game can/does fall but Brads’ example of Argentina/FRance above cannot be reality…
As for the Boks… if Wales win and then lose they would replace the Bok’s at 3 just (depending on margins)… cannot see France doing the same unless there was a 15 point win (1.5pts assuming handicaps are thrown out)…
There is no way the Bok’s could fall to fifth with either France/Wales losing then winning over Aus for Bronze…
13 Oct 2011, 04:22 am
@Brads(Brads)-69: Before QF now
1(1) NEW ZEALAND 90.62
2(2) SOUTH AFRICA 86.71
3(3) AUSTRALIA 84.84
4(4) ENGLAND 84.54
5(6) IRELAND 83.14
6(7) WALES 80.73
7(8) ARGENTINA 80.28
After
1(1) NEW ZEALAND 90.62
2(3) AUSTRALIA 87.21
3(2) SOUTH AFRICA 84.34
4(6) WALES 83.21
5(8) FRANCE 82.68
6(4) ENGLAND 81.58
7(5) IRELAND 80.65
8(7) ARGENTINA 80.28
13 Oct 2011, 04:25 am
@Brads(Brads)-69: NZ did not get anything, as points difference between them and Pumas exceeded 10 points. Therefore Pumas did not lose anything, as well.
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-73: Who knows, maybe 3rd/4th game loser beats NZ and therefore gets much more points than beating Australia. I do not know exactly so I say, 5th place is the absolute worst scenario.
13 Oct 2011, 04:27 am
@Nils(Nils)-71:
Wow, thats alot of point difference
13 Oct 2011, 04:27 am
Ouch, it’s early morning here, time to sleep a for a change.
Cheers folks, take care.
13 Oct 2011, 04:29 am
@Nils(Nils)-75:
What I find interesting is that no team that has not topped it’s table has ever won the event… that means France, Wales and Aus would have to rewrite the history books…
13 Oct 2011, 04:34 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-78:
Well that is great news.
Finally we have history on our side other than choking
13 Oct 2011, 05:02 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-78: Fair enough, and may that continue…
13 Oct 2011, 07:34 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-51:
I hope Beale is fully fit, he’s a magic player to watch. Sensational this season too.
13 Oct 2011, 07:35 am
@Brads(Brads)-53:
youre finally learning.
eyes to the front.
13 Oct 2011, 08:16 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-82:
There your assumption is wrong.
I have been on and off keo since 2003
I have learnt nothing especially new about the attitudes of Saffa’ supporters and those of AB, England or Aus that I didn’t already know.
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