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, 12:08 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-72: Yo.. where do you live again?? Has the digital age started out your way
@Gunther(gunther)-81: I was out of the town on Saturday with my b icthes/Posse.. They manage the queues and ensure that my groupies behave.
17 Oct 2011, 12:09 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-97: I stand to be corrected, but it means we play the final, and whomever ends whereever on the log qualify for the promotion relegation spot. Transformation will know the ins and outs.
17 Oct 2011, 12:12 pm
Bill Reyts..
I know that one boet, was one of my personal favs for four years or so
but Im sure we’ve all seen these jokes before, maybe a word or acronym here or there was different…
hopefully though this will get the Bokkes back to concentrating on every test match they play, because we need you guys to be as strong as possible, its what keeps driving us to be better too..
17 Oct 2011, 12:13 pm
Remember Bryce Lawrence, for his non-reffing (Not to mention Paddy)
Remember Paul Honiss, for his allowing the Irish to tap and go…
Remember the “get the yarpies” email…
Remember that these are all Kiwi’s
17 Oct 2011, 12:13 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-85: No title to that?? The Whine of a Loser??
17 Oct 2011, 12:14 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-102:
Oh, I thought the final has already been played and lost? What was the game against Boland then?
17 Oct 2011, 12:15 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-104: email reaches EVERY one..
the technological age, isnt it grand?
17 Oct 2011, 12:17 pm
I feel like being a traitorous, two faced d.oos …
I will be a self-hating Caped Crusader All Black Supporter…
17 Oct 2011, 12:18 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-102:
I think the CC will only be contested by six teams and the two losers from A section play in B section next year. Not too sure though. There is no promotion or delegation… could be so far wrong though.
17 Oct 2011, 12:19 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-106:
It was the final.
17 Oct 2011, 12:19 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-62: Suck it up sad ar se. We won, we won well and we won because you couldnt and never were going to this year.
All along I have blogged the Aussies would be NZ’s greatest threat come WC, that under the guidance of Deans and the power pack the Reds have become would be telling, but this was not to be their year. I see Australia gaining even more momentum in the coming years and probably with new and better players, as with SA, will be the constant threat for all competitions that we are included in. Instead of trying to demean and lessen our victory, maybe you should focus on what the Wallabies and the Q’Reds have achieved this year in comparison to where they were three years ago and as close as one year ago.
In Hong Kong they beat us in a tournament that was over, it was a dead rubber and a wooden spoon and the AB’s went on to another grand slam.
This year Australia has picked up the S15 and Tri-nations and in contrast to the slim pickings of the last few years you have had a ‘blinder’. You made it to the semis and had to play a team that is ranked number one in the world that has a dump truck full of reasons to win.
I think also the Wallabies will learn from this lesson in the pain of loss to show the difference between a Champion Team and a Team of Champions.
The contrast is significant and for any person to try and cast a shadow on Richie McCaws ability is only pathetic. The comparison between him and Pocock is the only solace in a shallow glass that losers look for. To compare the two is ridiculous to say the least as Pocock only has to play his role as number 7, McCaw has to lead and does so by example, do his job on the field also and has the responsibility to keep his team ranked at the top of which he has done for nearly the entire length of his captaincy.
Maybe Pocock does steal a few more balls, good on him- legend.
The sad part of all this is the fact that the Boks were not there for the final.
Shootout at the Ok Coral. It would have been fitting at this time that we are witnessing the end of an era for those of us who have this (these ) particular teams from the beginning.
So is Richie King for all he has bought to the game and World Rugby..Damn right.
17 Oct 2011, 12:19 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-104: Then the Lawrence clan in business with Paddy – race horses business
Bryce’s daddy wrote the get the Japie e-mail, good solid Kiwi folk these with scruples and if you don’t like those,they have others
17 Oct 2011, 12:20 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-108:
Treason it is mate…treason! LOL
17 Oct 2011, 12:21 pm
@captain fantail(captain fantail)-111:
No the greatest threat is France mate. They are finalists…
17 Oct 2011, 12:23 pm
@captain fantail(captain fantail)-111: “because you couldnt and never were going to this year.”… Of course not… Bent Brycie made sure of that…
Principles of the honest Rugby player (and supporter) sacrificed on the Altar of Beatific All Black Entitlement…
PS: Don’t forget to boycott if the French pull off a miracle.
17 Oct 2011, 12:24 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-97: as far as i know, SARU are still to announce whether there will be a 6 team relegation playoff or will it be last four drop and top two automatically go up. whether the Kings are playing 1st division currie cup they’re “guaranteed” super rugby participation as the SOUTHERN Kings also include SWD & Border ie different entities.
17 Oct 2011, 12:24 pm
With a decent ref Pocock was nowhere and not able to disrupt the ABs flow on attack. But we should have won by 20 points and not allowed BL to affect the result!
17 Oct 2011, 12:24 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-106: I think we should start referring to Cheeky’s union as the Humpty Dumpties.
Because all the Kings’ carthorses and all the Kings’ journeymen couldn’t put them in the premier division, again.
17 Oct 2011, 12:25 pm
@JL1(JL1)-112: “Honest” Brycies, the lot of them… The new Kiwi stereotype…
17 Oct 2011, 12:25 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-109: Then I’m not sure. I have not been too diligent about the workings of the tournament, just been trying to follow whether EP won or lost.
17 Oct 2011, 12:25 pm
@captain fantail(captain fantail)-111: The ABs greatest threat losing to Ireland. Nice one listening how the Aussie commentator with a chip on his shoulder blew Ireland off, old Phil Kearns is a JOKE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0gV-Wbg04s
17 Oct 2011, 12:26 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-115: Give it a rest already.
17 Oct 2011, 12:27 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-113: Yeah, dont we all wish we could just lay aside all scruples, hate ourselves, hate our countrymen, and just be a traitorous Caped Crusader…
Takes a special kind…
17 Oct 2011, 12:27 pm
@Maljan(Maljan)-117: We have ourselves to blame, I agree
But the scum refs have for years been on the take
17 Oct 2011, 12:27 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-120:
Read my comment again delegation eishwena relegation. It’s Monday so I’m forgiven.
I just read Transies take – I think he is right.
17 Oct 2011, 12:29 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-101:
your bi tches?
I didn’t know you were a dog walker langers.
still anything to make ends meet.
Do you do poodles?
Or are you on the poodlephile register?
17 Oct 2011, 12:29 pm
“Lineout statistics, field position and possession dominance have little bearing if the gainline collisions are lost.”
Amen, so pray tell, why the hell are we not selecting the only two players in SA rugby who win the gainline collission every single time?
Bismark and Alberts.
17 Oct 2011, 12:30 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-114: Yes but in present time the Aussies were for us…the french are next weekend and they are missing their baguettes et jambon for this one.
17 Oct 2011, 12:30 pm
HG: are you ok mate? Yintoni mfodini ude ukhale nje ngomfazi!
17 Oct 2011, 12:30 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-125: Cool man.
17 Oct 2011, 12:30 pm
Transie: unjani mhlekazi?
17 Oct 2011, 12:31 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-129: HG having a serious melt down. A little worried about him too.
17 Oct 2011, 12:31 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-118:
Hawu.
You are very counter-revolutionary.
17 Oct 2011, 12:32 pm
@captain fantail(captain fantail)-128:
I only wish your team well mate! They deserve to be champs!
17 Oct 2011, 12:32 pm
As a Saffa, I love the All Blacks blindly and hate the Springboks…
Oh all right then call me what I am then…
An unmitigated, traitorous, two faced, self hating d.oos basking in the glow of another Country’s team…
I don’t mind, because I am too stupid to know what I am or do.
Oh, I just Love the All Blacks.
17 Oct 2011, 12:33 pm
Poppa: AB wallabies was a great game, thrilling to watch, I really got nervous when piri missed a litany of penalties and the score remained 8-3. Well now we go back to having nerves again and face the big one!!!!
17 Oct 2011, 12:33 pm
@JL1(JL1)-121: yep but he has mellowed a lot to what he was….he used to be a d ickhead and a prat, now only a prat.
17 Oct 2011, 12:34 pm
@pakslae(pakslae)-35:
Yes. We have the talent and ability….just not the right coaching influences.
This was proved by beating the All Bleats EVEN WITH OUR TEAM PLAYING ONE DIMENSIONAL RUGBY and a coach in freefall.
Believe it…the Boks should not be losing games at will…there is too much natural talent in South Africa for that.
17 Oct 2011, 12:35 pm
Richie , wow is all we can say , great winning record as well . Now complete it all with the RWC this weekend , will be great . At least it wont be a hollow RWC like 2007.
17 Oct 2011, 12:36 pm
@Gunther(gunther)-126: But he’s a gentle and tender poodlephile. He uses K9 jelly.
17 Oct 2011, 12:36 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-136: I starting worrying too, and wanting them to kick to the line for a line -out. Piri and Cruden must seriously work on their goal kicking before next week.
I read the Wallabies are choosing an understrength team for the bronze match. They are giving their benchies a run. Wales however said they want to go out with a win, even without Warburton there.
17 Oct 2011, 12:36 pm
“I started”
17 Oct 2011, 12:37 pm
@David(David)-36:
If that is how you interpret it then you should take careful note of Bismark in the next Currie Cup game.
17 Oct 2011, 12:37 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-118: and we all know the Lions are known as the SURRENDER M_ONKEYS…
17 Oct 2011, 12:37 pm
Viva Rusty and Mohamad Parnel! They at least made my weekend…
Oh yes and WeePee pipping the powder blues to the semi’s…
17 Oct 2011, 12:37 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-135: Did you see Proff Noakes wearing an Ab’s jersey on Sunday for the Master Plan show? Are you refering to him?
17 Oct 2011, 12:38 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-131: akhonto kuwe
injani ibhabhalaza?
17 Oct 2011, 12:38 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-144: Hey I’m cheering for those Lions this weekend.
17 Oct 2011, 12:39 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-140:
now available in beef marrow AND new chinken flavour.
17 Oct 2011, 12:39 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-129: nca,ubungcono. ngiyalandela amawonke-omnyama. isilungulela nami.
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