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, 14:58 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-341: lol, this is a new side to Hg Ive not seen before either, I hope the poor dear realises he has a full four years to find this justice he seeks..
but I promise to do my best to make sure he doesnt have a day of rest in his search for justice, his ignoble quest
17 Oct 2011, 14:58 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-347:
Entertaining to say the least!
17 Oct 2011, 14:59 pm
@ET.(ET.)-346:
Typically, I suspect there will not be an honest, serious response from you.
17 Oct 2011, 15:00 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-350:
oh i just remembered this is a blog so……..get $%#$
oh damn hang on
There we go
17 Oct 2011, 15:01 pm
HG: where’s your Madame?
17 Oct 2011, 15:01 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-349: Zuma has his own gravity… The ultimate Big man.
Too wiley and clever for Mbeki…
I support iqhawe Jacob thankyouverymuch.
17 Oct 2011, 15:03 pm
HG: I understand.
17 Oct 2011, 15:04 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-355: Lying in bed after I exhausted her, Uncle Tom…
17 Oct 2011, 15:05 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-358: You certainly have exhausted us, too.
17 Oct 2011, 15:06 pm
HG 358: good, at least you getting something out of it, nail her Thomas Clarence like a runaway slave SBALI.
17 Oct 2011, 15:06 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-351: @Hurricane(Hurricane)-354: One week left to get the cough, cough choke jokes out…
ABs cant choke this one…Why?
Its not the Rugby World Cup, its the Rigged World Cup…
17 Oct 2011, 15:06 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-360: Hahahahahaha
17 Oct 2011, 15:07 pm
@ET.(ET.)-353: Perhaps you could take that as a hint that no one cares.
17 Oct 2011, 15:09 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-361:
Why ask a question then answer it yourself, you do know that is rude.
Anyway its late here so need me sleep.
Good night all.
17 Oct 2011, 15:09 pm
@Nils(Nils)-359: I have an appetite for Kiwi submissives… one big gruppensex… BayofPigs
17 Oct 2011, 15:10 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-364: Night, night and not too much pulling wire about Club Foot Reechie… You need your sleep.
17 Oct 2011, 15:11 pm
Helen: HG says he’s giving you the LD, you know what they say once you BLACK……….
17 Oct 2011, 15:11 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-332: to your knowledge, how, after being excluded from participating in a sport they love did they not turn to supporting other teams who had administrators who had backbones and respected them?
17 Oct 2011, 15:13 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-334: did the ABs canel the tour as a result?
as you know that was the right thing to do
17 Oct 2011, 15:13 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-361: shhh thats our lil secret…
remember, Ive been telling you how it was going to pan out some time before the WC even started, but you just didnt want to believe me..
17 Oct 2011, 15:14 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-367: Yes, and I always shower after the deed is done… Keeps diseases away… Even the ones mkhulu Mbeki says don’t exist.
17 Oct 2011, 15:14 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-363:
jeez if extraball could take a hint he would have phukked off long ago.
17 Oct 2011, 15:14 pm
World champions in 6 days.
17 Oct 2011, 15:14 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-368: they werent excluded from a sport they loved, they were excluded from SA shores… big difference there Trans..
17 Oct 2011, 15:18 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-370: But I always did… However, I am astounded at the rapidity of Kiwi elevation to the honesty and integrity of Nigerians…?
No more 419 scams when 41Bryce is far superior.
17 Oct 2011, 15:20 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-375:
you almost got the name right.
its
“just4brycie”
17 Oct 2011, 15:20 pm
HG: I’m not interested in your after match activities with Helen, congrats on nailing her.
17 Oct 2011, 15:21 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-376: 41Bryce scam is far more appropriate…
Nigerians would be proud.
17 Oct 2011, 15:24 pm
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-377: But I was talking after, after match activities… you know, the dip it in dettol and scrub in shower stuff…
Do you not do as the President does?
You must be obedient and respectful sbali…. You must respect your leaders… You must do as they do.
17 Oct 2011, 15:25 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-374: the NZRU went on tour without them?
17 Oct 2011, 15:25 pm
363:
Nothing new there, as ALL bullies, like you, never ever care.
They just go on bullying until their faces are smashed into bloodied messes.
17 Oct 2011, 15:25 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-373:
that has to be tempting fate, u’ve just put the mockers on an entire nation’s dreams.
17 Oct 2011, 15:26 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-378: the “just4brycie” scam is a means by which nothing is done about breakdowns when they occur, but it does offer a helping hand or two if draped in golden fleeces, and whereby you need a multitude of possession to have your exit ticket validated…
I think he caught 50 million with it last week, but thems only estimates..
17 Oct 2011, 15:26 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-373:
easy there…it could go from hero’s to zero’s just like that…(you, better than most should know the french by now).
i wouldn’t call it until craig blows the whistle, the hooter sounds and someone kicks the ball into touch just to be safe…
17 Oct 2011, 15:26 pm
Funny how you find many freedom fighters supporting the all blacks, but none supporting arsetralia or fiji etc.
It’s so obvious for every one to see.
17 Oct 2011, 15:27 pm
This Pundy character is becoming a bit of a tedious bore.
17 Oct 2011, 15:27 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-383: Exaclly!
17 Oct 2011, 15:27 pm
6 days, the butterflies will start on Wednesday!!!!
17 Oct 2011, 15:29 pm
@Mr Black(Mr Black)-385: Ja, we all know why…
17 Oct 2011, 15:30 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-380: because they werent allowed on SA shores, but they were included everywhere else… dont see how it could be simpler than that? sure, the NZRFU did the wrong thing also by touring… but did they exclude maori players from NZ sides when SA toured NZ? not to my knowledge, but nice of you to shift the goalposts
17 Oct 2011, 15:31 pm
Woodie: you are back! Your animosity towards me is unnecessary, let’s be friends, come on woodie, let’s stop this madness nothing will be gained from it mate. Shake?
17 Oct 2011, 15:32 pm
@ET.(ET.)-346:
I believe I’ve questioned Mpudulu about his support for the ABs on two occassions lasting about 5 posts and responses each time, and I am genuinely interested in his responses. As far as playing to the crowd, as you infer, I suggest you produce some form of evidence to support that statement. Unlike you, I don’t fall back on stereotypes to make an unsubstantiated accusation nor do I presume knowledge of anothers background, motivation or history based on my own prejudices as you appear to.
Now with so many Americans out of work, I’m sure they’d also prefer it if a foreigner, like yourself did the honourable thing and relinquished your job to a native born citizen
17 Oct 2011, 15:32 pm
@Mr Black(Mr Black)-385: what are you saying about trevor manuel? Et & langers were NOT freedom fighter regardless of what they say
17 Oct 2011, 15:36 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-390: what goalposts? i was asking hurricane whether any maoris took umbrage at the NZRFU’s complicity with the Apartheid regime?
no need to be defensive, i’m quite aware the NZRFU never at any point said “no maori will ever wear the All Black jersey like some of our racists in SA.
17 Oct 2011, 15:40 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-279:
The All Bleats also might get a Frog in their throats.
17 Oct 2011, 15:40 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-394: some of the racists in SA said no maori would ever wear the AB jersey????
not being defensive, just thought it a rather strange analogy, considering the differing dynamics in each country….moving on..
17 Oct 2011, 15:41 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-393:
I thought they where in the frontlines…….
17 Oct 2011, 15:42 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-295:
Shut up moron. Smit didn’t pick himself you cnut.
17 Oct 2011, 15:42 pm
@Transfornication(Transformation)(329:
” All Blacks excluded them as a people from touring SA at the behest of the Apartheid regime? ”
Typical rendition of distortions, half-truths, twisted ‘logic’ and ultimately just naked lies. Ignorance of the real truths of history and thus totally unqualified to ever make political comment.
How the jump is made from fellow racist white administrators to ” All Blacks ” is just mind-boggling.
Your RACIST S.A. governments, all, whom you now despicably protect with these LIES, advised the NZRU not to select these people of colour and when they were challengingly selected on MERIT, they were kept out of S.A. by not being issued the required visitor’s visa.
YOU are truly no more than lying SCUM.
17 Oct 2011, 15:43 pm
@Gunther(gunther)-372:
We know he can take a hit.
He does so repeatedly before posting here.
I can only surmise, given his unique circumstances, that it’s ketamine.
(After all, he does like to think that he’s hung like a horse.)
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