McCaw the master
17 Oct 2011
MARK KEOHANE, in his weekly Business Day newspaper column, says Richie McCaw has earned the right to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
McCaw was asked, 48 hours before the World Cup semi-final against Australia, who the better player was: ‘David Pocock or yourself?’
McCaw said: ‘We’ll see after 80 minutes on Sunday.’
There was no sarcasm in his answer. It was the confirmation of the challenge of a (younger) player who has been the form opensider of the World Cup tournament.
Pocock was immense against SA, legally or illegally.
All brilliant opensiders operate on the fine line of public opinion and referee interpretation. McCaw has been the master for the last decade. Australia’s George Smith was brilliant and, if his knees last, Heinrich Brüssow will make a similar impression.
Former Bok captain Corne Krige was often quoted as saying the Test played within a Test between two specialist opensiders is far removed from anything the public sees on TV or at the ground. McCaw versus Pocock was huge. This was the grand master against the next generation of specialist ball-winning scavenger. At least it was sold as such in the week.
But that would be too simple.
As All Blacks coach Graham Henry pointed out: an opensider will always be the beneficiary of how good the loose trio is and also the dominance of his tight five. In this regard it wasn’t McCaw versus Pocock, it was the All Blacks versus the Wallabies and the result was more emphatic than a handbag grab-and-run. This was a full-on assault; a legal beating in which the All Blacks smashed the Wallabies in the collision and at the gainline.
I hate the term ‘the modern game’, so I’ll refer to it as the game played in 2011 where there is so much influence in referee interpretation and not always that much faith in the principle and application of the law.
What is not about interpretation, however, is who wins the gainline battle. That is where the game has become so much like rugby league. Win the physical dominance of who takes the ball in, and who makes that one metre in the tackle, and you have momentum that is so unlike the game of 10 years ago.
Back then it was about creating mismatches and having a fullback run at a prop. It was about more numbers on attack, and the laws at the breakdown forced a fight for the ball that ensured teams committed numbers to the breakdown.
Not any more.
The game played in 2011 allows teams to have rugby- league type defence. Mismatches are rare because most props look like centres and some even have more skill.
This was a game won with gain-line dominance. The Boks’ game (against Australia in the quarterfinal) was a game lost in that area.
Lineout statistics, field position and possession dominance have little bearing if the gainline collisions are lost.
Wales will attest to that. Sure, they were heroic and magnificent in playing 14 against 15 in a World Cup semi-final for 63 minutes but when you go 25 phases with the ball, don’t break a tackle, and can’t get an extra metre, then the credit has to go to the men dominating the collisions. France did that, even though they showed no such enthusiasm with the ball.
The All Blacks were so different in class and in ambition. Their defence was matched by an opening 20 minutes as good as you will see in a World Cup semi-final.
The All Blacks were brutal at every collision, and McCaw was either first with the tackle or the first man in support. He was colossal. I’ve tried, but there isn’t a superlative to do his performance justice. He has been functioning on desire, ambition and one leg at this tournament. The foot injury that kept him out of most of Super Rugby will require a further operation after the final. He has been imposing as a leader and as an ambassador for the game.
I often say we begrudge New Zealand more than we dislike McCaw because he isn’t one of ours. This is a guy who has won 90 of his 102 Tests, and 45 of them have been against Australia and SA . You had to be at Eden Park to appreciate his contribution fully.
Likewise his humility a minute from full time. To understand that one must remember the taunt directed at McCaw in the 2003 World Cup semi-final by Wallabies scrumhalf George Gregan as the All Blacks turned over the ball with a minute to go and the game lost. ‘Four more years,’ said Gregan.
With a minute to go at Eden Park on Sunday evening, referee Craig Joubert called a scrum, the crowd counted down the minute and the big screen focused on a McCaw and Wallabies scrumhalf Will Genia.
The New Zealand crowd chanted: ‘Four more years … four more years …’
‘What did he (Genia) say to you?’ asked a journalist at the press conference. ‘He said well done and I said thanks.’
No taunts of ‘four more years’.
‘It’s important we enjoy the win, get our feet back on the ground and respect the challenge of the French,’ added McCaw, whose most famous quote at this World Cup has been: ‘Every player has a World Cup moment … I’ve had two.’
New Zealand deserves this World Cup win and Richie McCaw deserves the appropriate World Cup moment.
He has earned it.
620 Comments
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17 Oct 2011, 18:28 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-499: Off p-i-ssing himself
17 Oct 2011, 18:36 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-499:
I think he had to attend a hospital janitors meeting.
17 Oct 2011, 18:39 pm
I will wait. Patiently.
17 Oct 2011, 18:56 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-503:
That’s my girl.
17 Oct 2011, 18:59 pm
I am so sick of all and sundry here being abused and insulted by this halfwit.
17 Oct 2011, 19:02 pm
Listening to mbalula on cricket SA and bafana bafana, he’s ruthless on graham smith and safa, actually vicious!
17 Oct 2011, 19:03 pm
Helen: shut up when you are talking to me!!! Lol
17 Oct 2011, 19:11 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-507:
Tell me, did you find me querying your support for the ABs offensive or aggressive?
17 Oct 2011, 19:18 pm
@grant10(grant10)-493:
ok, thanks for that grant.
those are two very good points.
perhaps also add to that wish list a shake up admin wise at saru.
yes, though these two years have not been the best of times they have also certainly not been the worst of times either, as i can fondly remember some great games played by all the boys who donned the green and gold (legends from 1 to 22).
but no, we did not win the wc (not withstanding the really dishonest refereeing, which is never excuse enough all the same) and at the end of the day that was what we built towards, so i understand your disappointment.
for the future now we need to focus on all tests between wc’s but most importantly on the win/loss ratio against the blacks (its stretching too far out) and at the end of this, if we have it in us then the next wc.
some zen wisdom:
in life he who holds on too tightly, lets everything go…
use this in understanding your anger at the events that have led us here and hopefully find that is in your best interest and ours to let it go. like the zen parable you are in danger of holding on too tightly to the sad events of the past and in so doing letting go of all the rest of life and the (hopefully positive from here on in) journey that is the springboks and the nation of player 23′s who support them.
lets keep it in our hearts to celebrate them all the same, while we keep it in our heads to try and rebuild as well as rediscover our successes as we know and believe the boks, and by extension us too, are capable of.
if there is one team i believe is capable of picking themselves up from the floor and lifting themselves back up to where they belong it the springboks.
our blood is always green,
go bokke!
17 Oct 2011, 19:20 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-506:
kirsten should not have kept him on as captain.
thats just my opinion.
should have made a clean break.
17 Oct 2011, 19:23 pm
David: I’ve no issue in you engaging me on that fact but I think it is humorous that some term me a traitor and that I should leave the land of my forefathers because supporting the boks underpins my citizenry! It’s laughable, it’s just a sport.
17 Oct 2011, 19:25 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-506:
Let me guess. You support the Black Caps as well. Good on yer, mate.
17 Oct 2011, 19:25 pm
Bakkies: it seems as though smith has quite a hold on the proteas similar to John smith. His time though must be coming to an end surely.
17 Oct 2011, 19:28 pm
I am stormer: I don’t follow cricket or soccer, so you guess wrong.
17 Oct 2011, 19:31 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-514:
Could’ve fooled me.
17 Oct 2011, 19:31 pm
Fikile loves biff.
17 Oct 2011, 19:32 pm
@once more just take a break on the beach, dear springboks, once more…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-509:
Sane sentiments and advice.
I complained towards the end of Jakes tenure that he’d done very little to create young depth for the post RWC years. Our bench was just a weaker like for like of the players they’d replace and most senior players were destined for overseas. PdeV promised to change that and yet apologised recently for not doing it.
We need a coaching team that is prepared to build a fluctuating pool of players who can be called on to provide the same level of quality for every game.
17 Oct 2011, 19:33 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-513:
well if kirsten’s serious about success and whats required to achieve it he will seriously look at changing captains, perhaps for starters.
he certainly does not exude a pdivy air about him.
17 Oct 2011, 19:35 pm
I am a stormer: how did I fool you, I’m certain that’s not much of a challenge?
17 Oct 2011, 19:37 pm
Bakkies: even as a player Kirsten was incredibly hardnosed even if he was not the most talented batsman but he had immense determination. It seems though with the Indian cricket team, he found a balance that worked there.
17 Oct 2011, 19:39 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-519:
You seem to know what’s potting.
17 Oct 2011, 19:41 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-511:
Mpundulu, it is your right to support for whatever reason a rugby nation of your choice and you owe nobody an explanation for that. End of story. Especially hypocrites on this site who were quiete when the likes of Craven unashamedly said no Black person will ever wear a Springbok jersey. Hypocrites here on this site would have killed Cheeky Watso and his brothers for playing non racial rugby in the sixties. And you wonder why he is such a hated figure in some of our communities.
Some people have painful memories re-Springbok history and are rightfully bitter and can never get over it and are entitled to feel like they do. Some people are over those memories and I gues they are entitled to feel like that.
17 Oct 2011, 19:41 pm
@David(David)-517:
i honestly believe, with conviction, that heyneke meyer is the person most able to do this. yes, it seems he’s not availing himself to the position but i do hope he has a change of heart and mind.
of all the other possible candidates being touted i just feel its a simple case of ‘yet more mediocrity’ being accepted as none of them have reasonably successful records, or are just too foreign.
17 Oct 2011, 19:42 pm
seventees I must say
17 Oct 2011, 19:43 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-520:
well lets hope he finds it here.
it sucks being the all blacks of world cricket…
17 Oct 2011, 19:45 pm
watching the AB – Aussie semi again it becomes reasonably clear this WC has been more or less set up to favor AB’s
Aussie were always chasing the game from the early Dagg break to effect the Nonu try.
AB’s were always in control though discreetly aided by Joubert who had a good game with the whistle although he made reasonably sure AB’s always maintained that modicum of control throughout.
Bryce Lawrence was briefed to eradicate the one possible threat to AB domination which was to cripple the Springboks in 1/4′s and Joubert kept the program on course by ensuring AB’s were never in danger of relinquishing their hold over Australia from kick off.
And so it plays out that the darling of the rugby world gets to lift the cup 24 years after the inaugural WC way back when it was first conceived as a purpose for anointing the king of the rugby world every 4 years, and against the very same opposition all over again, a script dreamt up in Hollywood or else in IRB back room script writers directive. either way one couldn’t have dreamt it up any finer than this for the true rugby sentimentalist to have his RWC cake lavished with the cream of sentimental expectations adorning the confectionary and what’s more he gets to eat it too.
Who could have written it any more appropriately, not a one, because this little pantomime has been hatched up in the offices of the powers who control the structures and hierarchy in rugby parlance long time ago, this little pre ordained episode of the inevitable outcome has been rehearsed and rehashed through the minds and wishes of those who pull the strings so utterly and thoroughly that any defiance or deviation from its course of intention would simply not ever be given the green light of acceptance nor the inappropriate right of way.
17 Oct 2011, 19:50 pm
Peter mkaba: a lot of the bloggers who have an issue with me fall under the whole Mandela mantra that we have to show the boers we really mean to reconcile by supporting the bok brand, white brand as Mandela envisaged that. That was Mandela’s form of social engineering, however, I’m free to support whoever I want, you are quite right I don’t need anyone to justify or accept my position, and I’m certainly not asking them for permission, that I can assure you will never happen!!!! if they are sour about it and angry that I’ve not followed other blacks into their corner that’s their problem, I don’t hold brief for anyone least of all them!
17 Oct 2011, 19:51 pm
I am stormer: I actually don’t just my mates are avid followers!
17 Oct 2011, 19:53 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-527:Boers? You mean farmers surely?
What about the rest of us?
W@nker
17 Oct 2011, 19:54 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-526: on the conspiracy bandwagon skop? how degrading for you..
is it only when SA win the thing that everything is ok and above board? seems the ABs had just as much cause for concern in 07, but that was widely discarded as sour grapes and not being good enough..
love the fact its come full circle and many on here are finding out exactly how NZ supporters felt after Cardiff, and it seems some are even getting precious about kiwis returning the banter they received for the last four years… I believe thats what you like to refer to as karma?
aint it a b1tch!!
17 Oct 2011, 19:58 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-511:
I agree, it is just a sport and I certainly wouldn’t brand you a traitor. I was just intrigued that you identified so closely with the ABs. I grew up in England and absolutely loved the way Wales played, and just wished England had the same flair, rather than cheering for Wales to beat them. That’s the frustration of being born in a particular country when it comes to your national side, rather like not being able to choose your family.
I’ve been in SA for a long time, but only since 1994 felt proud to really support the team of my adopted home. That doesn’t mean I haven’t admired and been exited by the Boks prior to then, but I couldn’t identify with them as representing me.
I
17 Oct 2011, 19:58 pm
Mpundulu stop chucking all the bloggers into one basket FFS
17 Oct 2011, 19:58 pm
CONGRATULATIONS to All Blacks.
Am a Saffa [in US], but huge supported of AB’s. How can you not respect for what they’re doing for rugby. How to……….play rugby the RIGHT way comes to mind…
Get minds ready for French………all it takes is 2 intercept tries and panic sets in…to any team..
17 Oct 2011, 19:58 pm
…supporter……
17 Oct 2011, 19:59 pm
Stormersboy: what about you?
17 Oct 2011, 20:02 pm
The ABs deserve to win this WC given their between WCs record.
17 Oct 2011, 20:04 pm
Naughty pundie.
Next thing he will be singing THAT song…
17 Oct 2011, 20:05 pm
David: I think the difference is that I don’t feel anything for the boks, I’m still a south African. I grew up supporting the AB’s just as white south Africans grew up supporting the boks. Why is there a requirement for me to support the boks, why do some bloggers here get so irate, what’s the real motivation behind their anger, surely they can’t be labeling me a traitor because of a rugby team, that’s just ridiculous.
17 Oct 2011, 20:06 pm
wieeeelle i heaaave treee weuurrds fur yoo…vive la france!…
17 Oct 2011, 20:07 pm
Dawn: sweetie what are you harping on about seeing that you’ve not called me a traitor, I’m not taking arms against you!
17 Oct 2011, 20:07 pm
and Boks aided this pre hatched plan by entering the fray carrying their overrated wannabee has been over the hill prima donna passengers instead of their bust a gut raring to go young lion winners, perhaps Pdv has been on the IRB take too, check out his bank account, follow the money trail check out who been selling the Bok brand short in favor of AB WC crowning glory sentimentality.
17 Oct 2011, 20:08 pm
Wazzup pops how come no-one wants to act as my tour guide around Lower Hutt
17 Oct 2011, 20:14 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-542: hey Dawn, have never been there myself (one of the few places I havent) so cant say for certain…
17 Oct 2011, 20:17 pm
I’m not harping on about anything and I am not anyone’s sweetie.
I am saying … Slowly… Do not chuck all the bloggers into your boere basket.
You get it?
17 Oct 2011, 20:18 pm
au revoir yoofeeelthy bloggers…au revoir…
17 Oct 2011, 20:23 pm
Seems even Kiwis are scared of Lower Hutt!
17 Oct 2011, 20:27 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-546: doesnt Tackler live in that region though? (Wellington) perhaps thats why
17 Oct 2011, 20:27 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-546:
If you saw Jabba the Hutt, you’d understand the fear of a lower version.
17 Oct 2011, 20:28 pm
Dawn: I’ve read some bloggers refer to you in some vile references, quite awful actually, so if sweetie comes across as a continuation of that I do apologize. Nonetheless, if you read my post I did not say every blogger or all bloggers but rather a lot of bloggers, so dawn what are you harping on about, before you respond do take a moment.
17 Oct 2011, 20:28 pm
Aha! Now I know!
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