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, 13:57 pm
@Helen(Helen)-240:
“Yeah you and me we can ride on a star
If you stay with me girl, we can rule the world
Yeah you and me we can light up the sky…”
17 Oct 2011, 13:57 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-246:
I see you found yourself a new Number 2?
I think Mypundu will make a great Number 2.
Just keep him away from the public toilets, because someone is bound to flush him!
17 Oct 2011, 13:58 pm
stormersboy…
no one heard your four words…
17 Oct 2011, 13:58 pm
@Helen(Helen)-230:
Is that right, white south africans dont support their national football team?
17 Oct 2011, 13:58 pm
David 233: my support of the AB’s is not a function of acceptance by new zealanders, it’s my own personal choice, I’ve never supported any other team but the AB’s, they are not a default position they are the only position!!!!!
17 Oct 2011, 14:00 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-242:
tHIS JUST PROVES MY POINT.
How is that question NOT coherent??
Man, but you must be dumber than we thought!
17 Oct 2011, 14:00 pm
@Helen(Helen)-244: Yeah you tell the carnts…
Aside from calling someone a Bryce, I cant think of any other insult as bad as being called a Caped crusader or a Saffa AB prostrator…
Says it all really: Spineless, traitorous, self hating, corrupt…
17 Oct 2011, 14:00 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-236: I’m not saying it’s impossible. Just appying Occam’s razor. If in the future some leak reveals shocking tales of match fixing, I’ll gladly accept the “I told you so”, but in the absence of proof it makes us look like a band of whingers – and that’s unworthy of the team we support.
As for the Caped Crusaders, think of how hollow each victory must feel… everytime their team wins, instead of welling up with national or local pride all they have is a sense of “that’s one in the eye for the racist oppressors” – most of whom are now dead or in old age homes.
17 Oct 2011, 14:01 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-246:
Not me, and I’ve been one for over 50 years, but I’m not from Manchester. To be honest, I still feel slightly guilty when I boast of WPs successes in the 80s, as apart from paying my entrance fee, I had F all to do with their winning 5 CCs in a row.
17 Oct 2011, 14:01 pm
@David(David)-250: Was Suzie a ref? Huh?
17 Oct 2011, 14:02 pm
@Gunther(gunther)-165: Ice Man – Michael Jones – i am sure you remember him ???
17 Oct 2011, 14:02 pm
@David(David)-233:
well i think mpundulu has every right to choose what team he would want to support, whats the big fkn deal. This going a we bit over on a person that supports another team.
If you ask me i find it a priviledge to have someone who loves the game from another country thats supports our team.
Mpundulu, glad to have you on board.
17 Oct 2011, 14:02 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-254:
It is a reciprocal thing.
People like Mypundu insist on turning their backs on their national team.
Reactionary whites respond by doing the same.
Really pathetic on both counts.
17 Oct 2011, 14:02 pm
@Helen(Helen)-237: No need for the jugular with you… pulling the plug/loaf of bread/supersoaker will do
@Gunther(gunther)-235: I don’t live in SA twat.. AB jerseys reflects character and self respect when worn by colourful people like me here in the Kingdom
17 Oct 2011, 14:02 pm
@Gunther(gunther)-235: His ex wife certainly agrees
17 Oct 2011, 14:02 pm
@frunobulax(frunobulax)-258: Occam’s Razor… wow!
I am just applying “call it as it is” and be damned with the labels…
17 Oct 2011, 14:04 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-255: Yeah, it’s my own personal choice as an unmitigated cuntatheart… Thats me, the Saffa, self hating AB prostrator.
17 Oct 2011, 14:06 pm
@Helen(Helen)-263:
wow what a shame.
17 Oct 2011, 14:06 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-255:
I find it a little amusing that you only state your deep love for New Zealand now.
Quite convenient, hey?
Where’s the Mypundu who called for us to get behind the Boks 2 weeks ago??
Bwhahahahaha…. you are one sick and predictable little puppy!
17 Oct 2011, 14:07 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-268:
Agree.
Mypundu is one of them!
17 Oct 2011, 14:07 pm
@stew(stew)-261:
The singer?
17 Oct 2011, 14:08 pm
@Helen(Helen)-252: There are Heirarchial relationships in our world.. not like where you live.. did you buy a new set of poms for hero worship sessions.. give me a G
17 Oct 2011, 14:08 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-264: Colourful people in Stevenage are known by another word… Ga.y. Now that is no insult, but just telling it like it is…
Now Shauny, you must be applauded for your courage in coming out, big guy…
Now we understand all those stories of yours about your boxing friends… you said they were women… but we get it now :wink,wink:
17 Oct 2011, 14:09 pm
“IRB Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien said: “The IRB Match Official Selection Committee was delighted with Craig and Alain’s performances in the semi-finals.”
Yes I bet he was….or maybe just relieved.
17 Oct 2011, 14:09 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-264:
langers we know you live in stevenage.
My cousin at the Inland Revenue wants to know when you are going to submit you tax return
17 Oct 2011, 14:10 pm
HG: you are not really angry at me, you know are pissed at the boks, who really messed up and now you are on a troll to try find some solace, I’m here for you “brother”.
17 Oct 2011, 14:12 pm
@David(David)-259: My local team plays in League 1.. and find myself saying we to often even though I a Gooner.. which I could say is local team too.. 20minutes/one stop to the Emirates
17 Oct 2011, 14:12 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-276: Traitor!!
17 Oct 2011, 14:12 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-274: Yeah, Paddy took a big risk with a comparatively honest ref…
Maybe Joubert will shine in the final… (you know what I mean, wink wink)
17 Oct 2011, 14:12 pm
Helen: oh helen Helen, I don’t mind if you don’t support a black south African soccer team and you prefer England or holland, it’s your choice, I don’t view you as a traitor but rather I’m glad blacks have permitted you the democratic right to choose! Enjoy…..
17 Oct 2011, 14:12 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-254:
I didn’t even know we had a football team.
And they say keo isn’t educational.
17 Oct 2011, 14:13 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-276: No troll at all. Just calling a spade a spade.
17 Oct 2011, 14:13 pm
Hurricane: thank you captain!
17 Oct 2011, 14:14 pm
@Helen(Helen)-270:
mpundulu is a rugby fan.
He likes the ABs and i respect him for it, it takes some courage especially to support a team that probably is one of the most hated in SA and he actually is proud of it, good for him.
17 Oct 2011, 14:14 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-282: Forgot the “sbali”…
17 Oct 2011, 14:15 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-273:
Langer’s wife can’t wrestle,but you must see her box!
17 Oct 2011, 14:15 pm
@Gunther(gunther)-275: You cousin at inland revenue should learn to add up.. SARS owe me 10k.. but they can keep it. My contribution to Africa.
17 Oct 2011, 14:16 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-277: Stevenage to Arsenal is 1 h27 minutes?
17 Oct 2011, 14:16 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-280:
You think I’m white!!
Bwhahahahaha….
Idiot.
17 Oct 2011, 14:17 pm
JL1: don’t be upset with me mate just make sure your team gets past the quarters next time, see…..
17 Oct 2011, 14:18 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-284:
Is that why we see so many Maoris wearing the Bok jersey!?
17 Oct 2011, 14:19 pm
@JL1(JL1)-278:
Way to turn on your own cos he thinks different…this reeks of the SA i heard about as a kid.
Guys honestly,cut some slack here.
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-282:
And your going down a bad path HG. Dont go any further dude
17 Oct 2011, 14:19 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-284: A Kiwi’s lot… respecting the spineless. Loving the corrupt. Applauding the self-hating… Enjoying the bent. Happy about hypocrisy. Tipping their hats to the traitorous… “Respecting a Caped Crusader”… says it all, really.
17 Oct 2011, 14:19 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-287:
Great, now we can start our national health insurance scheme!!
Thanks Langers, Africa will not forget!
17 Oct 2011, 14:20 pm
All Boks had to do was ditch that overrated hump of f’ng lardass cappy Smittybumkins and his 2 pathetic passenger lieutenants FdP and Spiesie and they would have successfully negotiated the 1/4 finals and possibly the semi’s too..
All these whinging die hard arsecreep patriots can now THANK these useless triumvirate of passengers for undermining Boks cause and sinking their team below France on the world ranking ladder.
Had Smit SAT OUT, and FdP and Spies with him.. and a proper ball carrier NOT Schalk Burger been employed as the go to man.. Boks would have made headway beyond Australia.. Bryce the Schmyce or NOT..
Now all these pathetic cappy marvelous aura induced compromising ommiserators can thank this cappy f’ng marvelous profusely for stuffing up Boks WC campaign from the top..
17 Oct 2011, 14:20 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-284: Hated? Don’t be a ***. Grudging respect is what the AB’s get from most of us. We reserve hatred for Oz teams
17 Oct 2011, 14:20 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-260:
Off course not. I was referring to the point you made about why should rugby be exempt from bribery. If, as the investigator stated, there was a strong suspicion that bookies were responsible for the food poisoning, then it’s naive to believe 16 years later, that they wouldn’t try to fix results in other ways.
17 Oct 2011, 14:20 pm
@Helen(Helen)-291:
I am a Maori.
Whats your point?
17 Oct 2011, 14:20 pm
@Helen(Helen)-286: thats a bit lame hun.. 1/10
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-273: Calling me g ay.. how is that supposed to be insulting in this day and age
2/10 .. One of my G ay friends seems to have a crush on me.. I am not sexist so I told him that he needs to queue up like all the other ladies to buy me a drink 
17 Oct 2011, 14:21 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-283:
Bwhahahahahaha…..
Clown.
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