Richie McCaw unofficial blog (2)

R.McCaw breaks silence on eye gouge

2011-12-06T12:23:00.001+13:00

Video available at http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/6089812/Richie-McCaw-breaks-silence-on-eye-gouge
06/12/2011

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has admitted he was "surprised" the International Rugby Board did not cite French player Aurelien Rougerie for the infamous eye gouge in the Rugby World Cup final.

Speaking for the first time about the incident, McCaw said the final against the French got "filthy" when he was eye-gouged.

"The French are worse when they are scared ... They were as bad as they have been and were going for the eyes," he said.
"My eye was a bit sore for a while and I was struggling to see for a bit. I was surprised they didn't cite him."

Rougerie escaped being cited for foul play in October's final, despite new video evidence showing the France centre had a case to answer. No action could be taken because the new evidence came outside the required 36 hours after the match. The IRB will now look at extending the citing window after reviewing the footage.

At a breakfast fundraiser in Christchurch yesterday, McCaw spoke openly about the eye-gouging incident and other Rugby World Cup experiences.

While he was half-blinded in the final few minutes of the game, the team was trying to decide whether to kick the ball or hold it.

There was confusion over the best way to play and, in a last-minute decision, the All Blacks held the ball. "Everyone thinks we were all composed out there," McCaw said. "At least it worked out OK in the end."

In the moments after the whistle, he felt "sheer relief" but it took a few weeks before the realisation of winning kicked in.

While the final was tense, he said the team had never been better prepared than for the semifinal against the Wallabies. Within minutes of the game starting, "you could see it in their eyes" that the Australians were beaten, McCaw said.

When the Webb Ellis Cup was finally in All Blacks hands, McCaw joked, all the unwritten rules about it went out the window. The cup is never supposed to be alone, no-one is allowed to drink out of it and no-one is allowed to drink near it.

"We broke every single one of them."

He told how the cup's lid was misplaced one night and a player drove for half an hour out of town to find it.

McCaw wants best man for job as ABs coach

2011-12-06T12:21:00.001+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/6082456/McCaw-wants-best-man-for-job-as-ABs-coach DAVID LONG 04/12/2011

Richie McCaw believes it's right the New Zealand Rugby Union haven't handed the All Blacks head coaching job to Steve Hansen on a silver plate.

An announcement on who will be the next All Blacks coach is expected to be made around the middle of this month and although Hansen is the favourite to replace Graham Henry, the All Blacks captain feels the NZRU management are right not to give the job to Hansen straight away, as they need to make sure he's the best person for it.

"People say it's a done deal, but I don't think it is because you need to see the best out there," McCaw said.
"If Steve's the best that's great, but you need to figure that out.
"To keep the All Blacks as being the best in the world, they've got to have the best men available. Whoever that is, is up to the guys making that decision to find out.
"If it is Steve, then that's great because he has been a part of a successful team, he knows what works and I'm sure he'd add to that with some slightly different ideas, but would also keep some of the good things that have worked too."

If Hansen does get the job then he'll work closely with McCaw, as Henry did.
However, the captain says he doesn't believe his relationship with Hansen will change.

"Probably not. I always get on pretty good with him," he said.
"The thing about Steve is that you can have some pretty good discussions about the game.
"We think quite alike on things. Probably not the same on some things, but he'd do a good job, there's no doubt about that.
"He's been through the lessons that Graham and myself have been through, but I think for the All Blacks they need to get the best man available and that's why they're going through the process."

Although not all of the candidates are known, it appears that Hansen's biggest rival would be Vern Cotter, who was Robbie Deans' assistant at the Crusaders in 2005 and 2006.
McCaw believes Cotter – currently with French club Clermont – would also be good for the job.

"He was assistant for a couple of years and we won the thing twice so I have pretty good memories of that team," he said.
"He has done well over in Clermont too and has a pretty good record.
"It will be interesting. He is a good man."

New home for rugby starts to take shape

2011-12-06T12:19:00.000+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/rugby/6065481/New-home-for-rugby-starts-to-take-shape 01/12/2011

Demolition work has started on the $20 million new home of Canterbury rugby.
All Black Andy Ellis and Canterbury coach Rob Penney were among spectators as work began yesterday bringing down the main stand at Rugby League Park in Addington.
The pair climbed into diggers for a photo opportunity, but because of safety regulations were not allowed to drive.

Canterbury Rugby Football Union brand manager Brooke Freeman said the main stand should be down by mid-December and construction of its replacement should begin in early January.
The ground needs to be ready for the first Crusaders home fixture against the Chiefs on March 9.

The stadium will be able to hold 17,000, but can be increased to 26,000 for a test.
The venue will mark the return of test rugby to Christchurch next year when the All Blacks play Ireland in June.

The Press

Crusaders get sand in their face

2011-12-06T11:02:00.001+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/rugby/6069564/Crusaders-get-sand-in-their-face Wrestling and crab scrambles test fitness 01/12/2011

The Crusaders got down and dirty at New Brighton today.
Having been instructed to front at the Christchurch beach today, the players would have known the outing hadn't been organised to help them work on their tans.

Unlike those Crusaders players who helped the All Blacks win the World Cup and will be spending their leave lounging on the beaches and flapping about in the surf before returning to active duty in early January, the team members who fronted at New Brighton were encouraged to get sand kicked in the faces.

With the squad's new strength and conditioning coach Carl Jennings, who was previously involved with the Penrith Panthers NRL team in Sydney and the Bradford Bulls in the UK, bellowing out instructions the players quickly discovered this was no light-hearted lark in the sun.

Englishman Jennings is also expected to provide the Crusaders with some insights into the defensive strategies used by the rugby league teams he has been involved with.

Wrestling exercises resulted in several players spitting out sand, while others risked being submerged by the in-coming tide as they grappled with team-mates. And on it went; reverse crab scrambles, four-legged piggy-back marches and then more wrestling.

Recently the players also had a ''boot camp'' at Burnham Military Camp and although they stayed the night there was no chance to snatch any sleep because they were kept awake for more than 24 hours during an exercise designed to test them physically and mentally.

''It was just about testing the character against the values of the team,'' Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder noted.
''And it was bloody tough. It was non-stop, so there was no sleep and no rest during that time. It was probably one of the toughest things I have ever done.''

Although the All Blacks will return in January and should be ready to play the opening Super match against the Blues in Auckland on February 24, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter are not expected to be sighted until around a month later.

Carter, whose World Cup was ruined by a serious groin injury, is likely to front in around the third or fourth round and McCaw will likely be given longer to recover from the recent surgery to his right foot.

The Press

McCaw fuzzes up for Movember

2011-11-15T10:50:00.000+13:00

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10765627 Sunday Nov 13, 2011

The women will love him; the men will be slightly jealous.

All Black captain Richie McCaw has grown an impressive patch of fuzz on his top lip as part of Movember, a moustache-growing charity event.

McCaw was snapped at Omarama Airfield before a glider flight on Friday.

Like all the 'Mo Bros', he shaved on November 1 and planned to let his moustache grow until the end of the month.

Grooming stylist Matt Swan recommended McCaw keep it trimmed off his top lip.
"The girls will accept him no matter what, win, draw or lose."

- Herald on Sunday
By Chloe Johnson

Crusaders and Hurricanes to benefit from Mangatainoka

2011-11-13T11:07:00.001+13:00

http://www.allblacks.com/news/18037/Crusaders-and-Hurricanes-to-benefit-from-Mangatainoka James Mortimer - (13/11/2011)

The Hurricanes will again return to Mangatainoka for a pre-season Investec Super Rugby clash, this time against the Crusaders, who will gain something from their trip to the Wairarapa Bush as well.
It will be the third straight time the Hurricanes have travelled to the region, playing the Blues there in 2010 and hosting the Chiefs this season.

The Crusaders will make the trip to the ground in 2012 for the popular fixture, engineered by the local Tui brewery, and the temporary grandstands that turn a 2,000 odd township into an 8,000 seat mini stadium, will actually be shipped to Christchurch after the game.

The 6,000 seat section will become part of the Crusaders new home ground, in their temporary home that replaces AMI Stadium for the 2012 season.Tui Brewery commercial manager Nick Rogers said to the Dominion Post that another chapter was continuing in the proud history of the “Battle near the Brewery”.

The game will be held on February 11, with kick off planned for 3pm, and Rogers said that the mixed local weather would turn out a show alongside some rugby stars.

"The weather's going to be superb, as it always is in Mangatainoka,” although it poured rain when the Blues won 19-17 two years ago."It's exciting having two fantastic franchises but also with so much local talent potentially on offer – you've got Zac Guildford from Wairarapa, Israel Dagg from Hawke's Bay and four Whitelocks from Feilding."

Rogers said it was important to capture the same atmosphere seen at the Rugby World Cup, with the event now a central part of the local calendar.

"That's the essence of what we want to capture with the game at Mangatainoka – the theatre of going to the game as much as the game itself,” he said."Again, it's bringing the big show back to the small town. The ground is but a paddock but that's what is so beautiful about the event, it's about bringing the professionals to 'Toki with another game that's sure to go down in grassroots rugby folklore."

Crunch time as All Blacks guard changes

2011-11-10T09:47:00.001+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/our-experts/5916967/Crunch-time-as-guard-changes TAINE RANDELL 06/11/2011

OPINION: The big question mark hanging over the world champion All Blacks is succession – where do things go from here?

The World Cup winners have joined the ranks of New Zealand's iconic rugby teams. They will be mentioned in the same breath as their 1987 cup-winning counterparts and great sides like the 1924 Invincibles and the 1956 and 1996 Bok Busters.

Graham Henry's squad confirmed that status by carrying out a pressure-cooker assignment to break a 24-year bogey, sealing their greatness by holding on in a cliff-hanger final.

The first major transitional change has happened, with Henry sensibly deciding to bow out a winner and retiring at the very peak of performance. Assistant coach Wayne Smith goes with him, ending a long and successful association with the side.

It seems to be a no-brainer that Henry's other able assistant, Steve Hansen, will now get the head coaching job.

Let me say here and now that I think Hansen has the qualities to be a fantastic head coach. But taking over such a successful side comes with many dangers.

History shows that with World Cup-winning sides.

After 1987 Alex Wyllie stepped up to take over from Sir Brian Lochore. Wyllie's loyalties were severely tested and that eventually ended in tears at the next tournament.

After their 2003 success Sir Clive Woodward's lieutenant Andy Robinson took over the England side and failed to build momentum.

Eddie Jones wasn't part of the 1999 cup-winning Wallabies but he knew the team's Brumbies base very well and didn't prosper.

The 2007 champion Springboks got a new coach in Peter de Villiers but it was obvious it was the players who ran the show and they failed to defend their title.

The All Blacks are making much noise about continuity but history shows sides that have been reluctant to change coaching brains and player squads after winning World Cups have seen a slide in performance.

Hansen is a loyal coach who knows his players well. But he will eventually have some big calls to make.

How much longer can the likes of Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock, Ali Williams, Conrad Smith, Jimmy Cowan, Andy Ellis, Ma'a Nonu and Cory Jane go on?

When does he decide about sticking with his best players, who will be on a slow decline, or opt for young up-and-coming talent?

The same can be asked of superstars Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, who are contracted for another four years.

McCaw is an intriguing case. Colin Meads was acknowledged as the greatest All Black of the last century. In 99 years, McCaw may well be seen the same way.

Right now, though, it's a question of whether he can enhance his standing or whether he should bow out a champion, a bit like his coach?

McCaw was a marvel at the World Cup as he shrugged off a serious foot complaint. He was so motivated it was obvious that sheer determination got him through.

It was his third attempt and he finally nailed it – he has climbed his Everest.

In 1999 we did an SAS course where the hardest soldiers hammered into us the fact that the body will follow where the mind is willing to go.

McCaw epitomised that over the last couple of months. But what happens now that motivation is gone? What's the next attraction? What's left for him to play for?

I wouldn't want to see him finish like John Smit. He was a heroic figure in 2007 as he literally dragged the Springboks to the world title.

But our lasting memory of Smit will be of a tired Boks great struggling to do it again – in vain.
Look at other cup-winning captains like David Kirk, Nick Farr-Jones, Francois Pienaar, John Eales and Martin Johnson, who all moved on fairly quickly after achieving the ultimate success and preserved their legendary status.

I think McCaw's best playing days were a couple of years ago in terms of sheer performance.
They will only diminish from here. He can still be New Zealand's best No7 for a couple of years but a succession plan needs to be put in place.

So he could play one more year, possibly two, at the All Blacks level.

But now might be as good a time as any to think about alternatives.

It's a scary proposition for any player, let alone someone like McCaw, who has been a professional rugby player since he left school.

But right now the iron couldn't be any hotter for him to strike and seal the sort of ambassadorial roles that come with being the most capped All Black and a World Cup-winning skipper to boot!

Taine Randell is a former All Blacks captain
- Fairfax Media

Rugby Museum has eyes on world cup prizes

2011-11-09T09:44:00.001+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5925057/Rugby-Museum-has-eyes-on-world-cup-prizes WARWICK RASMUSSEN 08/11/2011

The Rugby World Cup may be over, but the hunt for memorabilia from it has just started – with Richie McCaw's jersey and Stephen "Beaver" Donald's right boot from the final at the top of the wish list.

Palmerston North's New Zealand Rugby Museum, along with Wellington's Te Papa museum, have already been working behind the scenes to secure some historic items from the event, which the All Blacks won for the second time on October 23.

Rugby museum director Stephen Berg told the Manawatu Standard that representatives from both museums and Rugby New Zealand 2011 (the company that ran the World Cup) would meet "over the next few weeks" to thrash out a plan for the precious mementoes from it.
Mr Berg said it wasn't about trying to grab items before each other, rather to make sure there were no double-ups.

"Te Papa are pretty keen to make sure that we both get the items that we want."
Te Papa already had a full "number one" All Blacks' player kit including everything from the playing strip and boots to the formal clothing and everything a squad member is supplied with when selected.

The rugby museum had also been in touch with the New Zealand Rugby Union and had requested a number of items from the cup that it would like to exhibit.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw's jersey that he wore in the final is being eyed up to borrow, along with Stephen Donald's right boot, which slotted the match and cup-winning penalty.
Mr Berg said the museum had already received a book called Bound in Black, a book compiled by tournament sponsor Coca-Cola containing the messages and well wishes of about 20,000 New Zealand fans to their team.

"It's great that things like that have a life beyond the World Cup," he said.

But it's not just the big match items the museum is after. Mr Berg also has red and yellow buckets from the Georgia v Romania match held in Palmerston North. The New Zealand Rugby Museum opened in its new site at the Te Manawa complex in Main St in September and had 10,500 paying visitors in its first 10 weeks, Mr Berg said, compared with about 6000 annually at the former Cuba St site.

- Manawatu Standard

Funds key to Crusaders' Addington base

2011-11-05T12:01:00.001+13:00

RICHARD KNOWLER 04/11/2011 http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/5906281/Funds-key-to-Crusaders-Addington-base

The Crusaders' hopes of playing at Addington next year hinge on whether the Government approves additional funding.

With about four months until their first home match against the Chiefs, the franchise still does not have the cash to pay for the temporary stadium, which they hope will seat 18,600 fans at Rugby League Park.

Christchurch City Council has approved a proposal for the park's revamp and $1 million of ratepayers' money has been earmarked for the development.

But who stumps up the rest – about $6m – is unclear.

The Government and the New Zealand Rugby Union are rumoured to be poised to bankroll the project.

Crusaders chairman Murray Ellis seemed to confirm this this week when he said: "We haven't got it fully ticked off by central government yet.

"Now it is really a matter for central government, along with local government and the New Zealand Rugby Union, to handle at this stage.
"It will be very hard to get something together [in Addington] if we haven't got something done by the end of November."

The Crusaders are also poised to make a record loss this year, which could nudge seven figures, hence they are in no position to install new turf, lighting and player facilities.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder is determined his team must play at Addington.
"It just has to be done, through whatever means possible. We just have to be playing in Christchurch."

With Christchurch denied any World Cup matches, because of the damage to AMI Stadium, the franchise is also eager the city's rugby fans should not miss any Super games for another season.
Some work on Rugby League Park will begin after New Zealand Cup week as the city council tears down the condemned No2 stand.

Sanzar chief executive Greg Peters said he was ready to give the Crusaders more time to prepare Addington, and was not concerned about broadcasters or opposition teams not yet knowing where matches will be played. "We think that would be best for them [the Crusaders] and the competition as a whole.
"We understand they will be in a position to make a firm decision in the relatively near future," he said.

Temporary stands were common at several grounds during the World Cup, and a 12,000-seat structure was built behind the existing east and west stands at Eden Park in six weeks. They will now be shipped to London for next year's Olympic Games.

The Crusaders' chances of playing in Singapore next year now appear remote.
Plans for the Crusaders to meet the Melbourne Rebels in a Super Rugby preseason match in late February are likely to be scrapped with the fixture to be played in Melbourne instead.
Australian sources said they understood the Asian venture was likely to be ditched, although earlier this week Ellis said he was still waiting for confirmation.

A promoter approached both organisations several months ago with the proposed deal.
It would have guaranteed the Crusaders an undisclosed fee as well as being given the opportunity to promote their franchise's brand, and network with possible commercial and sponsorship partners in Asia.

- The Press

Blackadder names his 2012 squad : Crusaders name four Whitelock brothers

2011-11-05T11:47:00.002+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/squads/crusaders/5894914/Crusaders-name-four-Whitelock-brothers 02/11/2011

All four Whitelock brothers were named for the first time in the Crusaders squad for next year's Super Rugby season.
George, Sam, Luke and Adam were included in Todd Blackadder's team unveiled this morning in Christchurch.

"We have some really exciting players coming through plus a lot of experienced players who we are expecting to really step up this year," Blackadder said.

New players announced in the squad included Canterbury hooker Ben Funnell, wing Patrick Osborne, midfielder Tom Taylor and loose forward Luke Whitelock.

All played a part in the 2011 ITM Cup winning side.

Both Taylor and Luke Whitelock were involved in the 2011 Crusaders wider training squad.
Locks Tom Donnelly and Ross Kennedy join the squad from the Highlanders and Port Elizabeth's Eastern Province Kings respectively.

The 2012 Crusaders squad includes 10 All Blacks involved in the Rugby World Cup champion side - Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Zac Guildford, Kieran Read and Sam Whitelock.

The Crusaders first competition match is against the Blues on Friday February 24.

The 2012 Crusaders Squad:
Richie McCaw, Nick Barrett, Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Tom Donnelly, Andrew Ellis, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Robbie Fruean, Ben Funnell, Zac Guildford, Willi Heinz, Ross Kennedy, Quentin MacDonald, Sean Maitland, Tom Marshall, Patrick Osborne, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Tom Taylor, Matt Todd, Joe Wheeler, Adam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock and Sam Whitelock.

The Press

Blackadder set to unveil Crusaders blueprint

2011-11-05T11:41:00.001+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/5884767/Blackadder-set-to-unveil-Crusaders-blueprint RICHARD KNOWLER 01/11/2011

Todd Blackadder is close to fitting the final pieces of the Crusaders puzzle for 2012.
Although he has lost internationals Brad Thorn, Sonny Bill Williams and Kahn Fotuali'i, a former All Black in Chris Jack and a valuable second-string first five-eighth in Matt Berquist, the Crusaders head coach is expected to have settled the majority, if not all, of his squad when he tunes into today's phone conference with the four other Super rugby coaches to discuss what players will be drafted for 2012.

Squads, which can contain a maximum of 32 players, will be named tomorrow.
With World Cup medal winner Williams finally choosing to align himself with the Chiefs before jetting off on holiday to Panama yesterday, another potential circus has also been avoided by the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Unlike that messy drawn-out affair, which will have created some anxious moments for Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, Blackadder is likely to have completed his homework before today's draft meeting organised by the NZRU.

Usually the coaches meet at the NZRU's Wellington headquarters but their agreement to do business during a phone hook-up suggests the signing-off of their squads will be a formality.

While the defection of experienced locks Thorn and Jack to Japan will create a yawning gap in his roster, Blackadder has limited the damage by recruiting former All Black Tom Donnelly from the Highlanders to fit in alongside Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano and Joe Wheeler.

The remaining locking spot could be given to the 2.06m Dominic Bird, who was a member of this year's Crusaders wider training group.

Another spot in the tight five – hooker – was made vacant when David Hall was signed by the Hurricanes and with Corey Flynn and Quentin MacDonald already established squad members, forwards coach Dave Hewett may want to groom Canterbury rake Ben Funnell as his third option.

With Blackadder likely to rotate props Ben and Owen Franks and Wyatt Crockett during a season stretched because of the June test window, Andrew Olorenshaw and Nicholas Barrett will again probably be required to be on standby.

Jonathan Poff's decision to move to England has sparked a search for another openside flanker behind Richie McCaw and Matt Todd, and how he fills this gap will be interesting.

Rookies Brendon O'Connor (Canterbury) and Shane Christie (Tasman) provide options as fetchers but with George Whitelock and Kieran Read also capable of swinging across to this side of the scrum there may be a temptation to forgo another specialist No7 and recruit the promising loosie Luke Whitelock.
There will probably be no room for Ash Parker, who played lock, blindside flanker and No8 for Canterbury this year.

The Highlanders may find a home for him instead.
Samoa halfback Fotuali'i struggled to make regular appearances this season because of injuries and, having proved a valuable backup to Andy Ellis in recent seasons, Willi Heinz should be retained.

The third halfback berth could be saved for the South African-born Mark Swanepoel who, despite being contracted in the Western Force wider training group for the last two seasons, is eligible to play for a New Zealand team because he has citizenship.

The loss of Berquist is expected to be offset by the emergence of Tom Taylor as backup to first-five Dan Carter and Tyler Bleyendaal should also return after his rookie year.
With Williams aligning himself with the Chiefs, Ryan Crotty and Adam Whitelock will contest the No12 jersey and Patrick Osborne may be recruited as wing cover.

CRUSADERS (Possible squad)
Forwards: Corey Flynn, Quentin MacDonald, Ben Funnell, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Nicholas Barrett, Andrew Olorenshaw, Sam Whitelock, Tom Donnelly, Luke Romano, Joe Wheeler, Dominic Bird, Richie McCaw, Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Kieran Read, Luke Whitelock.
Backs: Andy Ellis, Willi Heinz, Mark Swanepoel, Dan Carter, Tom Taylor, Tyler Bleyendaal, Ryan Crotty, Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, Tom Marshall, Patrick Osborne, Zac Guildford, Sean Maitland, Israel Dagg.

- The Press

Blues-Crusaders to kick-start 2012 Super Rugby

2011-11-05T11:38:00.000+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/5556440/Blues-Crusaders-to-kick-start-2012-Super-Rugby MARC HINTON 02/09/2011

The Blues will host the Crusaders once again in the marquee New Zealand matchup to kick off next year's Super Rugby competition.
The competition draw was released today, with the Sanzar competition getting under way on the weekend of February 24-25 and continuing through until the grand final on August 4.

For the first time there will be a mid-season hiatus of three weeks to allow for inbound matches on the international tours programme in the three host countries. That will take place between week 15 on June 1-2 and the resumption of the competition on June 29-30.

As they did this year, the Blues and Crusaders should ensure a high-quality beginning to the new season. They were the top two New Zealand finishers in 2011 and their Eden Park matchup should again provide an early look at two title contenders going head to head.

The opening weekend is not short of quality contests, with defending champions the Queensland Reds visiting the NSW Waratahs on February 25, the Bulls hosting the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on February 24, and the Stormers taking on the Hurricanes in Cape Town the following day.

The Chiefs will host the Highlanders in Hamilton in the New Zealand Saturday night fixture of the opening weekend.

The Hurricanes get their tour out of the way early with their first three matches at the Stormers, Lions and Western Force, while the Blues hit the republic in week three, the Chiefs and the Crusaders go on tour around weeks six and seven and the Highlanders hit the road mid-competition.

SANZAR CEO Greg Peters said the draw was the culmination of months of liaison with the 15 franchises, the three host broadcasters, venue owners and other stakeholders.

"When you play a competition over three geographical territories separated by the Indian Ocean, preparing the draw is always going to be challenging," Peters said. "We wanted to ensure that the 2012 competition started with some key matchups in each territory.
"As was the case in 2011, the first few rounds of play will feature a majority of local derbies before most teams begin travelling from week three onwards," added Peters.

After the resumption of the competition following the June hiatus, the bulk of matches over the final three rounds will be local derbies.

The three conference winners and three best-placed 'wildcards' will again advance to the finals series being held over three weeks, commencing on July 20-21 with a qualifier round, semifinals on July 27-28, and the grand final on Saturday, August 4.

Other key features of the 2012 draw are:

* Five Sunday matches: Rebels v Cheetahs (18 March), Waratahs v Crusaders (29 April), Crusaders v Reds (6 May), Reds v Chiefs (13 May) and Force v Rebels (20 May).

* A fixture on Thursday April 5 when the Rebels host the Blues in Melbourne ahead of the Easter weekend.

*Headline trans-Tasman matches in Australia and New Zealand on the ANZAC weekend - Blues v Reds in Auckland on Friday April 28 and Waratahs v Crusaders in Sydney on Saturday April 29.

- Stuff

Welshman reveals how he lifted the Webb Ellis Cup and chatted with Richie McCaw just hours after 2011 Rugby World Cup final

2011-11-05T11:31:00.002+13:00

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2011/11/03/welshman-reveals-how-he-lifted-the-webb-ellis-cup-and-chatted-with-richie-mccaw-just-hours-after-2011-rugby-world-cup-final-91466-29712809/

Sorry I can't copy and post the article but if you click on the link above, you'll find it. The story is pretty cute ;)
Mary*L

After 24 years, even the ghosts were dancing

2011-10-31T04:24:00.000+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/5876106/The-World-Cup-final-as-a-religious-experience
BEN STANLEY 30/10/2011

It started like no other day.
The sun seemed to be shining brighter, the birds chirping just a little louder, those bacon and eggs for breakfast tasting just a little bit better.

This was the day. Our day. The day of the Rugby World Cup final.

Twenty-four years of longing to taste victory again. Twenty four years cast against the long dark shadows of Dublin, Johannesburg, Twickenham, Sydney and Cardiff.

1987 for New Zealanders had become like 1966 for the English; an almost mythical date. A time when green grass was greener, the sky bluer, and the rugby really was rugby.

Names like Fox, Whetton, Jones and Kirwan shone, and continued to shine because they had ascended a peak not conquered since.

But with Ted's boys, surely this was our time. While they had struggled past the Argies in the quarters, the semifinal defeat of Australia was one of the great modern All Black victories.
Comprehensive, gutsy, unrelenting.

And the French? Oh the French. Les Enfants Terribles, a rabble, 'spoilt brats' led by a coach who'd lost his team.

We'll put twenty or thirty on these guys, people said about the final, laughing. Nervous laughter.
The day was here.

Barbeques wheeled out and beers cracked across the country. To Richie and the boys, thousands of ice-cold stubbies clashed together. To the ABs. To victory.

The walk to stadium was something else. Feel it in your heart and in the air. There was something electric happening, a nation ready to spark at the flick of a matchstick.
This, they said, is what it used to feel like.

This, in the hum of excited voices, of feet pacing towards a holy place, the collective heartbeat of a nation pulsating down Great North Rd, across the Bond St Bridge pouring into Kingsland.
This was what it was like when men like Pinetree Meads, Kel Tremain, Ken Grey and the Black Panther wore the jumper and bashed their bodies against Springboks and Lions.
It was like this, they said. But this was our time.

Eden Park, that cathedral of New Zealand sport, was buzzing from early in the afternoon. Empty seats filled, seat by seat, row by row, by black jerseys and big smiles.

A stadium, a nation, filled with tense joy. This is our time, they said. Our time, our time. Surely.
Feel the rumble through the stands and in hearts as the players walked out. A sound you never thought conservative Kiwi voices could make.

The national anthems played out, chills reverberating down spines. ''Hear our voices", we sang. We hear them, let our boys hear them too.

The All Blacks take their position for the haka, Piri Weepu stalks through the ranks. Les Bleus form an arrow's head and advance.

The intensity! The passion! These were the front lines not just for a battle of rugby supremacy; but for the very soul of a nation.

Twenty-four years of longing. This is our time. The referee tosses the ball to Weepu, the saviour of a nation, again.

Four, three, two, one. This is the moment we've waited for. Lord, let this be our time. Referee Craig Joubert nods to Weepu. He nods back. It starts.
It's hard out early on. Weepu misses an early kick, while young first five Aaron Cruden takes a few massive hits. It's tense.

Hear the roar of the crowd. Allez Les Bleus! Allez Les Bleus! All Blacks! All Blacks!
Thirteen minutes and the first big roar. Tony Woodcock, a bloke who went goat hunting only days before the final, dives over for one of the easiest tries he'll ever score.
Let the floodgates open, the crowd breathed, through clenched teeth. It wouldn't happen that easy.

The French held firm and gutsed it out. Where were these blokes against the Tongans? Where were these blokes against the Welsh?

Ah, and a silence. Cruden down, and hobbling out.

Eyes turn to the much-maligned Stephen Donald, who got the call-up two weeks before from a white-baiting pier on the banks of the Waikato River. Come on, Beaver, pride of Waiuku.
The half-time whistle and nervous glances around Eden Park. Deep breaths in front of televisions in pubs and living rooms across the country and across the world.
Donald gets us back on top early in the second stanza, his penalty just sliding through the posts. Deep breaths of relief.

Then the French hit back. Latching on to a mis-kick from Weepu and storming down the field, Thierry Dusautoir with the try, Francois Trinh-Duc with the conversion. 8-7.
Oh lord, we've felt these before. And it got worse. Wave after wave of blue jumpers, the All Blacks seemed at a loss.

The soul of New Zealand torsade de poutes. You could almost see the ghosts of all the All Blacks of 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007 on the field with the boys.

The ghost of John Timu, confused by David Campese's dancing feet at Dublin; the ghost of Merhts diving eternally towards that ball of Joel Stransky's right peg; of Jeff Wilson, his arms around the waist of Philippe Bernat-Salles at Twickenham, wondering 'how? how?'.
Those thousand yard stares of Dan Carter and Anton Oliver at Cardiff. No, no. Not again. Lord, not again.

Knots in stomachs tighten, tighten.

Minutes are separated into seconds. Seconds into heartbeats. Passes made. Tackles made. The game ticks by. Not again. Not again.

Two minutes to go, and we've got the ball. Just hold on boys. Joubert blows his whistle, Les Bleus offside.

They've done it. The roar is too much, not just in the stadium, but in the hearts of Kiwis the world over. We've done it.

See Brad Thorn weep, see Richie crouched over on the field 'shagged', nothing left to give. Not a soul leaves their seats as the post-match celebrations wind on. The concourses remain empty.
The moment is here. Bernard Lapasset passes the Cup, the William Webb Ellis, to Richie.
Hear the roar - twenty four long years of longing, of frustration, of heartbreak crashing down around us. From Kingsland to Queen Street, from the Kaitaia to the Catlins, a nation is in full voice.

As Eden Park empties, ten men remain, security guards who will watch over the holy ground until 8am the following morning.

Nuiean Moses Fakaigotau is one them.
He has felt grateful to be part of history, but for him being at an empty stadium in the early hours of the morning is something truly spiritual.

''You can still feel the vibes,'' he says. ''You can still feel the ghosts of the game.''
Throughout the night, television sets not turned off throughout the stadium flicker replay after replay of the game.

The night's ghosts dance with those of the past.
Twenty four years are over.

- Fairfax Media

Six reasons why this was the best RWC ever

2011-10-31T04:15:00.001+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/our-experts/5876612/Six-reasons-why-this-was-the-best-ever-RWC 30/10/2011
PHIL GIFFORD has worked at every Rugby World Cup.
- Sunday Star Times

OPINION: 1 The All Blacks won. As New Zealanders, we could all stop and go home right there. But wait, there's more. Let me quote a man hardly known for his gushing endorsements of everything All Black, the myopic Welshman Stephen Jones, who wrote, two weeks before the final, "New Zealand have to win this World Cup for the sake of rugby." The All Blacks at their best (think the semifinal with Australia) played rugby the way it should be.

2 The hype was right, we really did see a stadium of four million. As a perfect example of how the tournament was embraced, the head of Rugby New Zealand 2011, Martin Snedden, and the NZRU chief executive Steve Tew lost their way in the King Country, and found themselves in Benneydale, a town of just 200 people. On every lamppost in the main street was a caricature of a rugby player. "It's one of my great memories of the World Cup," said Snedden.

3 It was all in one country. There's a direct correlation between the World Cups that worked best, in 1995 and 2003, which were in one country, and the ones that were average, in 1991, 1999 and 2007, when the games were scattered. England's already flogged off games to Cardiff for 2015, and, if somebody flashes more cash, don't bet against the Twats of Twickers to sell some more.

4 No script writer could have invented a better hero for the final than Stephen Donald. Vilified by talkback callers, skewered on the net when he was called into the squad, there's a movie, "The Man Called Beaver", in how he stepped up, in a jersey a size too small for him, from whitebaiting to World Cup glory. "Jeez, he's got some composure," said Richie McCaw. In Donald's All Blacks' plague years you couldn't find a professional commentator who didn't like and admire him, as a man who was always gracious, never embittered. How perfect that, in what will almost certainly be his last test, his performance was so good, so vital to the victory, goodwill and praise could legitimately be poured on a good guy who finished first.

5 The French didn't freeze in the final, which made it a violin-string nerve-stretching 80 minutes. In 1987 Les Bleus were largely spectators as the All Blacks whipped them by 20 points. In 1999 Australia won by 23. This time the French improved so much on their earlier tournament form you wondered if they'd sneaked in 22 new guys for the final. Of course we knew it really was the French when they threw in an eye gouge at the end.

6 There's a chance the arrogant public behaviour of the IRB was so appalling there may be a palace coup. As the money raised by a world cup has boomed, so has the size of the travel, food and booze trough the IRB heads have created for their own snouts. Outrages during this cup (one rule for England, one rule for Samoa, fining the French for a brilliant response to the haka) are indefensible. They may be a lever to kick out men who have got more complex issues, like funding the tournament, wrong too.

Crunch time for the Kurow kid

2011-10-30T11:27:00.001+13:00

By Steve Hepburn on Fri, 9 Sep 2011 http://www.odt.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/all-blacks/176883/crunch-time-kurow-kid

Will a certain man from Kurow have his career defined in the next month and a-half? Many think so, but the man himself is not buying into that, preferring to look at the big picture.
All Black captain Richie McCaw, on the eve of the first match of the World Cup against Tonga in Auckland tonight, said it was important to not get carried away with the one event.

"It can be something you are remembered for. But when you finish one day, it will not be good or bad for one tournament. You play a lot of years," McCaw said.
"But in saying that this is a World Cup and you want to prove yourself. If you do not go out and do the job at that tournament then it will be something of an annoyance.
"You have to be careful. In the next few weeks it will be at the forefront but when you get older it is put in context.
"But I'm not walking away that it is a pretty big event."

McCaw said the side was fit and ready to go and felt coming off two losses would not affect its momentum.

"You look back at previous tournaments and what has happened previously does not mean much. We've had a good look at ourselves. We are excited about playing and in a good frame of mind for that."

McCaw (30) is playing in his third World Cup, and he admitted they were unique events.
But that did not take away from just doing the job like any other game.

"They [World Cups] add something a bit different and this is an opportunity I'm glad to have. I think that is one of the attitudes I have always had, no matter if you have been around a long time or if this is your first game. You want to go out and perform for the team and tomorrow is no different."

To state the obvious, McCaw has come up short in the past two tournaments, but motivation is not the overwhelming force many would think.

"I've been previously involved in two World Cups when we haven't achieved what we were after. So there is the chance to get another shot. That sticks in the back of your mind.
"But you have got to break it down to doing the job. You've got to approach the game the same. There will be a wee bit of edge to that but you've got to be ready to perform.
"The big thing whenever you take the field is to perform to your absolute best."

Veteran lock Brad Thorn was not getting weighed down by the pressure of playing in a tournament, which has become an obsession to win in New Zealand.

"I see it as an opportunity, something exciting and I want to enjoy it. You can go into the tournament and see it as a burden and all the pressure," Thorn said.
"Or you can go, 'far out what an opportunity. I can give it everything I've got'. And if that happens I can walk away with the team and say we gave it everything we had."

The Tongans are bound to start strongly and players like Thorn will be important to match the physicality of the opposition.
The All Blacks must not be drawn into a battle of big hits and need to be clever enough to find a way around the Pacific Islanders.
The forecast is for a fine start to the tournament tonight.

McCaw set for big match

2011-10-30T11:24:00.001+13:00

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 http://www.3news.co.nz/McCaw-set-for-big-match/tabid/415/articleID/225210/Default.aspx
http://www.3news.co.nz/McCaw-set-for-big-match/tabid/317/articleID/225210/Default.aspx : video

For Richie McCaw there is no escaping that tonight's match is much more than just an ordinary test.

“It's been a long time coming I guess, and there is a fair bit of excitement, just being around Auckland this week.
“Seeing people, everyone arriving and getting excited about it sort of adds to our excitement I think, just keen to get out on the field really.”

And while McCaw will run out for test match number 99 against Tonga, Brad Thorn will play in his 53rd, and his second World Cup, the old war horse promising to leave nothing in the tank.

“I'm going to give it everything I got, I want to express myself in my own way but also I’m looking forward to the team hopefully reaching it's potential and giving it a good crack.”

The pre-match rituals will no doubt lend an explosive start to proceedings, but it is the 80 minutes on the field that really matter, with 60,000 fans on hand to enjoy a top first-up performance from the hosts.

“Because it's a world cup it adds a wee bit of edge; these are the games you want to play in,” says McCaw.

McCaw to spearhead Christchurch appeal

2011-10-30T11:07:00.000+13:00

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/rugby-world-cup/news/110907/McCaw_to_spearhead_Christchurch_appeal 07 September 2011

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw is to be the 'face' of an appeal by World Cup organisers designed to raise funds to support rugby in earthquake-hit Christchurch.
The city's Lancaster Park, one of world rugby union's best-known venues, was due to stage several World Cup pool matches and two quarterfinals before the February 22 earthquake that killed 181 people led to the games being relocated.

Now the Rugby World Cup (RWC) Christchurch Appeal aims to help restore Canterbury's rugby infrastructure at all levels of the game after numerous clubs and their players were badly affected by the earthquake.

All funds raised will be passed on to the Canterbury Rugby Earthquake Charitable Trust, administered by the Canterbury Rugby Football Union.

Fans attending World Cup matches will be encouraged to donate by using a special website (www.rwcchristchurchappeal.com).

RWC and International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Bernard Lapasset said Wednesday: "The response of the global rugby family to the February 22 earthquake was heartfelt and immediate.
"Messages of support and sympathy came from all over the world as we united as one behind our friends in Christchurch and New Zealand.

"Over the next seven weeks New Zealanders will be joined by rugby fans from all corners of the earth to celebrate rugby's showcase event.

"The tournament will provide an appropriate platform to recognise the ongoing challenges faced by Christchurch and the rugby community through the RWC Christchurch Appeal," the Frenchman added.

McCaw, himself a Cantabrian, thanked fans for their anticipated support by saying: "We really appreciate your help in supporting us to rebuild Rugby in Christchurch through the Rugby World Cup Christchurch Appeal."

Bob Parker, the Mayor of Christchurch, while welcoming England manager Martin Johnson on a visit to Lancaster Park on Wednesday, said: "We are very grateful to have heard today the IRB has set up a special fund to help rugby in the city of Christchurch.

"Given the passion for rugby here, I can tell you that means a great deal to all of us."

***
article about the same subject : http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/rugby/5578866/McCaw-face-of-appeal-to-restore-Chch-rugby

RWC adventurers seek final signature (don't forget to watch the video!!)

2011-10-30T11:05:00.000+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/fan-central/5588178/English-adventurers-Wheres-Richie-McCaw LAURA WESTBROOK 08/09/2011

A rugby-mad English couple have cycled 28,000 kilometres through freezing temperatures, up mountains and through deserts, but they face their toughest challenge yet - getting Richie McCaw's signature.

During their 18 month journey from London's Twickenham stadium to Auckland's Eden Park, 30 year-old Britons Tom Hudson and Jodie Burton have been collecting signatures for their World in Union scroll - especially made for the World Cup.

Players, past and present, incuding John Kirwan and have signed the scroll along with rugby representatives from the 28 countries the pair cycled through in their journey to reach New Zealand.

One signatory is Rattana Pich who formerly made a living collecting rubbish from Phnom Penh's dumps before becoming captain of Cambodia's team.
"This guy is a real inspiration for us of what rugby can achieve."

The couple intend to present the piece of memorabilia to the Rugby Museum in Palmerston North, where it will be put on display. McCaw, the All Black's captain, is the final signature needed to complete the scroll.
"We want to turn up with Richie as our final one, because I believe he'll be the World Cup winning captain this year," said Hudson.

The couple's belief in McCaw extends to them supporting the All Blacks, over their own English team.
However, with the All Blacks preparations being kept tightly under wraps, finding Richie and obtaining his autograph could prove more difficult than initially thought.

"I texted him the other day but I don't know if it's his real number or not," Hudson said.
"We didn't get a reply. We're hoping to grab him when he's training in Christchurch."

The couple ditched their London banking jobs to bike to New Zealand for the World Cup to raise money for charity Tag Rugby Trust and uncover the real world of rugby in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

"The best thing for us has been the revelation that rugby is being played everywhere, and in the same spirit. The same culture has been found even in the middle of deserts and foothills of really remote mountains. We can find rugby clubs everywhere."

And there's no lack of support for the All Blacks, including in Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Hungary.
"We did a little tally where we ask every single rugby community around the world who they would like to win the World Cup and about 80 percent of people want New Zealand to win."

- Stuff

Muliana and McCaw's All Blacks careers

2011-10-30T11:00:00.001+13:00

Other pics available at http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/photos/5573705/Muliaina-and-McCaws-All-Blacks-careers 06/09/2011

McCaw, Muliaina may reach 100 tests together

2011-10-30T10:29:00.002+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5576797/McCaw-Muliaina-may-reach-100-tests-together MARC HINTON IN AUCKLAND
07/09/2011

Who says the All Blacks aren't romantics? The World Cup favourites have given their strongest indication yet that imminent test centurions Richie McCaw and Mils Muliana are set to celebrate the historic milestone shoulder to shoulder.

That should see Muliaina and McCaw both named as starters for Friday's World Cup opener against the Tongans, which would leave them poised to reach the magical 100 mark probably in the second pool match against Japan in Hamilton seven days later, or possibly the heavyweight clash against France back in Auckland on September 24.

Just which match marks the pair's ton will depend on the All Blacks' selection strategy, and whether they are looking to rest their big guns against Japan or in the final pool match against Canada on October 2. The latter seems the more likely.

No All Black has ever played 100 tests, and there's a heavy symbolism about McCaw and Muliana reaching the plateau together, given that they've played the great majority of the last nine seasons side by side.

All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen yesterday all but tipped his hat to the collective strategy, despite continued admissions from the New Zealand camp that Israel Dagg is pushing Muliaina hard for the No 15 jersey and that sentimentality would not enter their selection rationale for this tournament.

"If they're selected, as you would expect them to be, you don't have any choice, because 98 plus two makes 100 and you've just got to deal with that," said Hansen yesterday when asked if it might be preferable to get the milestone out of the way before the French pool game. "Both of them are 'we' players as opposed to 'me', so it won't be about 'me' having 100 [tests], it will be about 'we' performing really well."

Hansen felt it was a milestone that would probably not be fully reflected upon until after the tournament ends.

"What they want to do is perform really well in this tournament and go through and try and win it, as opposed to the glory of playing 100 test matches.
"When the tournament's over I'm sure they'll sit down and reflect But it won't be OTT at the time because there's another job at hand. I'm sure they'll channel their energy and emotions in the right direction."

Hansen's comments tend to indicate that Muliaina is set to stave off the challenge of Dagg for the No 15 jersey, which should test public opinion somewhat with the talented Hawke's Bay speedster having plenty of support. He's now more likely to get a start on the wing, with the out-of-sorts Zac Guildford the most vulnerable. Dagg and utilities Isaia Toeava and Richard Kahui present as chief alternatives.

"Israel played fantastically well in South Africa and Mils has played 98 tests, and it's hard to find too many that weren't top performances. That's a pleasing contest we have there and I'm sure Mils will stand up to that," added Hansen.
He confirmed the coaches had mapped out a tournament-long selection strategy that had plenty of flexibility built in. They may need it if the Tongans hit them as hard as the Wallabies did in the first 40 in Brisbane.

"You might see the same 10 or 12 on a regular basis [but] we have to make sure that some, if not all, of the squad get some rugby time."

Clearly Wellington's Victor Vito now assumes major responsibility with Kieran Read not due back from his ankle sprain till the Canada match at best. Adam Thomson (elbow) should be available for Japan, though loose forward cover will come from Sam Whitelock and possibly Anthony Boric against Tonga.

Hansen said they had full confidence in Vito's ability to deputise for a player now rated just behind McCaw and Dan Carter in his importance to the side.
"Victor has matured into a pretty good rugby player. He has a real opportunity to give this World Cup a shake and I think he realises that," said Hansen.

There was also a different sort of vibe around these All Blacks, reckoned the forwards whip-cracker. Though given the way that team performed last time round, that's only to be expected.

"There's a sense of determination that maybe is greater than it was in 2007," he said. "There's more excitement because it's in New Zealand. There's just a sense of 'we need to get this job done', let's get on with it and build a team that we can be proud of."
Clearly Muliaina remains very much part of that team as those 100 candles prepare to be lit.

RUGBY'S 100 CLUB
139 George Gregan (Australia)
119 Jason Leonard (England)
119 Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
118 Fabien Pelous (France)
113 Ronan O'Gara (Ireland)
111 Philippe Sella (France)
110 George Smith (Australia)
107 John Hayes (Ireland)
107 Victor Matfield (South Africa)
106 Stephen Jones (Wales)
106 John Smith (South Africa)
105 Chris Paterson (Scotland)
103 Martyn Williams (Wales)
102 Stephen Larkham (Australia)
102 Percy Montgomery (South Africa)
101 David Campese (Australia)
101 Alessandro Troncon (Italy)

MOST CAPPED ALL BLACKS
98 Richie McCaw, Mils Muliana
92 Sean Fitzpatrick
86 Keven Mealamu
83 Dan Carter
81 Justin Marshall
79 Ian Jones
76 Tony Woodcock
74 Tana Umaga
70 Andrew Mehrtens

- Stuff

McCaw assured of being the first Kiwi centurion

2011-10-30T10:19:00.000+13:00

http://www.football-news.org.uk/footballnews/105086/mccaw-assured-of-being-the-first-kiwi-centurion.html September 6, 2011 by Harold Hisona

Richie McCaw, All Blacks captain, is poised to become the historic Kiwi centurion when he reaches his 100th test cap in the match against Japan on September 16.

Mils Muliana has also been expecting to become a centurion together with McCaw but since Israel Dagg returned from a long injury break, his mortgage on the number 15 jersey is compromised.

“There’s massive competition for spots in that area and everyone is starting to put their hands up,” the 31-year-old admitted.
“You can never be complacent, you have to be at your absolute best, not just on the day but leading up to the games.”

Both Mils and Israel play full back position and it is a contest for both of who will be given an opportunity to show off during New Zealand’s first rugby world cup match against Tonga.
Steve Hansen admitted it would be unfair for both if one couldn’t play considering Dagg played wonderfully in South Africa and Mils has been the best substitute for him. On one thought, Mils would like to achieve a historic record just like McCaw and the coaches know that.

“Israel Dagg obviously played fantastically well in South Africa while Mils has played 98 tests and it’s hard to find too many that weren’t top performances,” Hansen said.
“It’s a pleasing contest we have there and Mils will stand up to that contest as will Israel,” he added.

While it would be just a great honor for Mils to become one of the first Kiwi centurions, he said that his mind is focused on how to make All Blacks stand out from the best rugby teams in the world.

“Whether I am out there as a starting player, I think my goal is to make sure this team is really successful and that may be from sitting on the bench or sitting in the stands,” Muliana said.
New Zealand has been preparing for RWC 2011 more than enough and thus, they are expected to shine more than others. After all, rugby is their national sport and more are expected from them.

Richie McCaw: Revered captain

2011-10-28T10:50:00.001+13:00

http://www.starcanterbury.co.nz/news/richie-mccaw-revered-captain/1153707/#.TqnJNgcirfw.email Wynne Gray Friday, October 28, 2011

National treasures are kept in museums, looked at, admired and critiqued.
Richard Hugh McCaw is a rugby jewel, an automatic inclusion in a Sports Hall of Fame and in the top bracket of All Black greats. His place is assured. He has been the best All Black in his position for more than 100 tests since his 2001 debut.

The 30-year-old flanker is an uncommon man, a freakish package of intellectual muscle and courage who never knows when he is beaten. It was close on Sunday and he was mighty near his limits.

When they take all the tape off McCaw back in the dressing room, you suspect parts have to be glued back on before he heads off for the captaincy demands in the public arenas.
After this week's nationwide celebrations, McCaw and his buddies need time out. The skipper has to get his foot looked at once more and needs time to come down from the World Cup high then soar again into the thermals with his gliding passion.

There will be time and space to consider his future. He is contracted for a further four years but he may need to think more about job-sharing through the Super 15 and test programmes, or having a sabbatical.

Every World Cup-winning skipper, except Springbok captain John Smit, quit before the following tournament. Think of them, David Kirk, Nick Farr-Jones, Francois Pienaar, John Eales, Martin Johnson, Smit and now McCaw. He has earned his revered place in All Black history many times over; now he is in a special club of two with Kirk and in an elite two-man club with Mils Muliaina.

All Black No 1014 has created all sorts of records. His career is one of exploration, skills and determination, acknowledged by his family, peers and the 60,000-strong crowd on Sunday at Eden Park and now the rest of the country who witness the World Cup parades.
In private, the All Blacks and their coaching staff embrace their captain, honour him, chip him and give thanks they have been blessed with such a golden player.

McCaw accepts the accolades with the good grace, manners and slight embarrassment that have accompanied him in public throughout his career. He'll shrug his shoulders, look down or rub a paw into his face. His greatness is apparent but he does not like talking about himself. If Graham Henry starts some glowing assessment, McCaw's eyes search for a distant target to focus on.

Not much has changed in the decade since McCaw was revealed as a shock choice for the All Blacks' end-of-year tour and chosen ahead of Josh Kronfeld for the opening test against Ireland. In that week, McCaw showed his reticence for individual acclaim and an ability to give straight answers which have continued throughout his career.

He was chosen as man of the match on debut, recognition for the talent-spotting gifts of coaches John Mitchell and Robbie Deans and a signal for those of us who had seen little of his work in New Zealand.

Since then we have watched and marvelled at the concentrated venom McCaw brings to his game. He recalls his Lansdowne Rd debut with clarity and fervour, it is a favoured memory in an honour-laden career.

``It was the first time you call yourself an All Black and I guess it is the dream coming true,'' he said. ``I watched it not so long ago on TV and the game we played wasn't so flash, but in terms of memories, that was one.''

Matches that always remained top of his recollections were those with extra heat riding on them, tests against top-quality opponents where the All Blacks were under the gun or battling controversy. The second test against the Lions in 2005 was like that.

McCaw might have added the 2008 test against the Wallabies when he returned to the fray at Eden Park after injury with his side under the pump after successive losses to the Boks and Wallabies.

He turned in another top game to lead the All Blacks to a significant 39-10 win against the Wallabies.

His attitude has always been the same throughout his career; he always wanted to play to the same high standards in each test. That sporting mantra could be sewn into the lining of McCaw's kitbag.

He is a leader in name and deeds as centre Conrad Smith revealed when he spoke about McCaw, playing in one of the most arduous roles in the side, yet usually first to the training field or getting his side back in the zone for the next match.
``It is admirable and he does it time and time again and has been doing it for 100 tests,'' Smith said.

How does he do it? At one stage McCaw was trying to juggle his sport and university study but stopped his education as sport bit deeper into his time.
When he stepped back he realised his studies and rugby counter-balanced each other and he needed to maintain that context in his life.
His family were keen aviators and his grandfather had fuelled that passion with stories of his fighter pilot experiences in World War 2. McCaw figured gliding would be the perfect therapy for a torrid professional rugby career.

His life was in sync again. Gliding was peaceful, yet demanding; an escape and a challenge.
His stellar rugby career continued. His life is full, time is a precious commodity because everyone wants a piece of McCaw - his coaches, teams, sponsors, the media, the public, his family, friends, wellwishers - and then he has to do his fitness training and mental preparation.
He handles those duties with concentrated discipline. He has learned to manage his time properly and that, he says, allows him to maintain his test rugby standards.

``You have to be organised,'' he told the Herald recently.
``And I think that helps with the consistency of play because you have to do that each week while you also have to fit in a lot of other things.''

Good All Blacks had a choice, McCaw said, to either stand up or chuck it.
We all know what McCaw has done, repeatedly, throughout his decade of duty.
His body might bend from time to time but his mind is unwavering.

Every time he goes into battle he wants to deliver his best; improvement is always his mantra. A World Cup is now the reward for him and his comrades.

Richie McCaw - captain Influential

2011-10-28T10:44:00.000+13:00

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10754188 Sunday Sep 25, 2011

It's been a week of celebrating the centurion aspects of All Black Richie McCaw's career ahead of the Rugby World Cup clash with France but it is his unseen influence that deserves greater acknowledgement.

The statistics don't give the full picture of McCaw's importance to this All Black team; they don't fully state the strength of his ability to drive out the best from those around him.

Cultures are usually built from the top down and McCaw has created an All Black environment where there is little tolerance of those who don't meet his expectations.

He's not quite a fourth selector - but he's not far off. He has the respect of his peers in a manner that sets him apart. He sits in that hard to reach place where he's one of the boys yet seems so much more.

To say his authority is purely the result of his longevity is to miss the essence of what he brings. Since he made his test debut in 2001 there are indisputable numbers to confirm his value.
In his 99 tests prior to last night, McCaw had been on the winning side 87 times. Since his debut, the All Blacks have played 123 times and lost 19. The win ratio with McCaw in the side is 87.5 per cent; without him it is 84 per cent.

His ability as a player and his aura as a leader earn him enormous respect from his peers. But the real value of his leadership is harder to determine. Where McCaw is possibly more powerful than most, maybe all, of his predecessors is his ability to influence the senior management.

He's helped by the inclusive culture where the senior players are empowered to make decisions; it's not like the old days when gaining an audience with the coach wasn't always easy.

McCaw and his senior leaders have a massive influence on the team and if there was any doubt about the captain's authority, the command he has over his troops, the recent Tri Nations trip to South Africa ended that.

It's not that the team came off the rails off the field in Port Elizabeth but it became apparent that standards of behaviour dropped.

Without McCaw and his senior team there, the ship was not run as tightly and professionally as it usually is. It was in South Africa that the coaches had to talk to Zac Guildford about his drinking and tell him to get a handle on it.

The fact he didn't and was forced into a public confession last week where he revealed he has taken steps to fix his problems has left his test career in the balance.

There is empathy and sympathy for his issues but in taking so long to face up to them Guildford has lost much of the respect of the senior team. He needs to earn forgiveness now and prove he has the discipline and will power to moderate his alcohol use.

It will be McCaw, as much as the coaches, who Guildford has to win over. The same was true of Jimmy Cowan in 2008 when he had to finally confront his alcohol problems. It was winning back the respect of his peers and particularly McCaw that saved Cowan's test career. If he hadn't convinced McCaw he was willing to fight to conquer his drinking and fulfil his potential, he wouldn't have survived.

Hika Elliot is another who felt the full power of the captain and the senior players. Called up as a replacement on the 2008 Grand Slam tour, the Chiefs hooker lost the respect of his team-mates for his late night behaviour -a point that was made to the coaches.

When Elliot couldn't get himself in order, he was left out of the 2009 squad - the All Blacks persevering with the more limited and less accurate Aled de Malmanche. Elliot, by most people's reckoning, was a better player but couldn't force his way back into the test picture until the 2010 Grand Slam tour.

His selection for that tour owed as much to his improved use of alcohol as it did his form for the Chiefs and Hawke's Bay. He toured the UK on trial as much with the skipper and the senior players as he was with the selectors.

McCaw is determined to have discipline and harmony in his team. He is adamant the All Blacks won't succeed if they are not as professional off the field as they are on it. He wants the best and is prepared to have his say in getting it. He recently explained the culture within the team as he saw it.

"I think there is always a respect thing," he said. "The guys come in and if they prove themselves they earn the respect. That is part of being a rugby player, whether you are in the Crusaders or the All Blacks.
"But when you are together for so long you have got to enjoy it. You have got to do the work and have fun. Doing the hard work is where you get the fun. I think fun is sitting in the changing room after a test win.

That's the enjoyment you get out of it. No matter what the job is, even in the All Blacks, there are bits you don't like. You deal with that and enjoy the rest. Hopefully we have an environment that people enjoy.

Showing guys what is expected but not letting them fail is important. You say, 'This is what I expect and I am going to help you.' Some guys will meet it some guys might not.
If you do that [then] you hope they will think, 'this is the level I need to be at to be an All Black for a long time'. That is what you want them to go away and think about. You can't be satisfied just being here.
"You want them to think it was awesome."

By Gregor Paul

Prime Minister John Key interviews Richie McCaw - Audio

2011-10-28T10:04:00.001+13:00

http://www.radiolive.co.nz/Prime-Minister-John-Key-interviews-Richie-McCaw/tabid/506/articleID/23479/Default.aspx Fri, 30 Sep 2011

A first for New Zealand: Prime Minister John Key presented a special one-hour programme on Friday, 30th September 2011. As part of the programme, he spoke to All Blacks captain and 100-cap legend Richie McCaw. 30th September 2011.

Richie's heart is the key

2011-10-28T09:48:00.000+13:00

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/around-the-cup/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503176&objectid=10757575
Sunday Oct 9, 2011

The worst-kept secret in rugby is out - Richie McCaw's foot is buggered.
For weeks, word around the gym where the Rugby World Cup teams train occasionally has been that Richie's foot was not good. Screwed - literally and metaphorically speaking.
I'd heard long before the news was released to the media that Richie would need an operation on his foot once this World Cup is over.

It's weird how these All Blacks are reduced to their body parts - Richie's foot; Jonah's kidney; Daniel's groin; Sonny Bill's abs.
These men are three-dimensional beings with private hopes and dreams and ambitions, yet their bodies have become public property to be discussed, debated and commented on.
There's no doubt that the news of Richie's foot problem, combined with Daniel's groin, has sent a frisson of fear throughout All Blacks fans.

But the most important body part in a rugby player is his heart. And I have no doubt that for all the abs and the kicking legs and the kinetic power a player may have, the team who wins this Rugby World Cup will be the team with the biggest heart.

By Kerre Woodham

All Blacks talisman McCaw to play on through pain barrier

2011-10-28T09:43:00.001+13:00

By Chris Foley (AFP) – Oct 5, 2011

AUCKLAND — All Blacks talisman Richie McCaw is to play through the pain barrier, surviving on painkillers and willpower for the rest of the World Cup rather than quit because of an agonising foot injury.
"As long as we are in the tournament I'm confident he will be able to play," All Blacks assistant coach Steven Hansen confirmed Thursday.

The All Blacks skipper continued to be troubled by the injury that kept him out of the pool match against Canada and sidelined him for much of the Super series earlier in the year.
After losing star fly-half Dan Carter for the rest of the World Cup because of a serious groin injury, the last thing the tournament favourites need is to be without McCaw as well and Hansen was definite that would not happen.

The troublesome foot would be managed with the openside flanker on a restricted training schedule and wearing running shoes rather than boots in the lead up to the All Blacks quarter-final match against Argentina in Auckland on Sunday.

And Hansen added: "We don't get him involved in the cleanouts for example, the physical hard body contact stuff."
"We know that he's had a foot problem for a while and he just manages it. He just has to have it managed.
"We're down to the business end and while we're still in the tournament he'll be available, but we're just going to have to make sure we do what we've done with it all year."

The 30-year-old McCaw, who became the first All Black to play 100 Tests in the 37-17 World Cup pool victory over France, had a screw inserted in his right foot at the start of the year when he underwent surgery for a stress fracture.
He missed the first two months of the Super 15 series and played a restricted role on his return because of the troublesome soreness.
McCaw referred to it as a "niggle" that had bothered him since the operation.

"Every week, to some degree, it is a bit niggly," he said when he ruled himself out of the Canada game last weekend to avoid the risk of further damage before the knockout phase of the tournament.
"It's just one of those things. It probably needs a rest, to be fair.
"It was a bit frustrating but it is a niggle I have dealt with for a while. It's just not quite right."

The possibility of further surgery after the World Cup has not been ruled out but Hansen said McCaw would not be playing if there was a risk of long-term damage.

The only other injury concern for the All Blacks was to wing Zac Guildford who suffered a slight hamstring tear in training on Wednesday and would not be considered for the All Blacks team to be named Friday to play Argentina.

Hansen also attempted to downplay the significance of McCaw's injury saying it was not different to all players in the other seven teams still in the tournament.

"Everyone at this stage in the tournament in every team is playing through a bit of pain," he said, adding that how they managed it was the main issue.
"How many Tests have we had over the last six or seven weeks, including the pre-season Tests that the northern hemisphere guys would have had?," former Wales coach Hansen asked.
"They probably played six or seven Tests so people are going to be carrying little niggles and it's just how big a threshold you've got for that pain."

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g59225dHEUD1v8_pfu1wUbwCN7Sw?docId=CNG.62960d81c9574355889ec2e3eeb14bb3.e51

Richie McCaw, Dan Carter out of Canada match

2011-10-28T08:23:00.001+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/5716016/McCaw-out-Carter-to-captain RICHARD KNOWLER IN WELLINGTON 02/10/2011

Anxiety levels around the All Blacks have crept up again after a calamitous day claimed both captain Richie McCaw and Dan Carter on the eve of today's final Pool A match against Canada.
McCaw was withdrawn early in the day with his ongoing foot problem. No sooner had Carter been named to take over as skipper than he was injured at the captain's training run, doubling over in pain from a groin problem while going through some kicking drills.

While McCaw's was seen as a precautionary move ahead of next week's quarter-finals, the extent of Carter's injury will only be revealed today.

Photographs certainly showed Carter in real pain. A torn muscle would be a disaster on the eve of the playoffs and would place a question mark over his participation in a tournament where he has shown commanding form in his two outings.

It would also put huge pressure on young Colin Slade who comes into the playmaker's role against Canada. Victor Vito was moved into the No 7 jersey in the absence of McCaw.
The flurry of injuries also resulted in the captaincy being flicked to hooker Andrew Hore while Andy Ellis now joins the bench and Piri Weepu can also cover first-five.

But to have two talisman players missing just two weeks after they were absent against Japan with injuries is concerning though McCaw was quick to calm the nation's nerves when he insisted his foot was just "a bit niggly''.

It's the same foot that required a screw to be inserted into a cracked metatarsal bone in February and sidelined him for a good part of the Crusaders Super Rugby campaign.
McCaw maintained that if the Canada fixture was a sudden-death match he would have been fit to play.

"It is something I have managed all through the year. I got through training yesterday fine. I wanted to get ready for next week - that is why this decision has been made.
"I was pretty keen to play but with the knockout match next week I wanted to be ready to go.
"It was a bit frustrating but it is a niggle I have dealt with for a while.''
The troublesome scenario wasn't lost on Canadian coach Kieran Crowley. The former All Black, a 1987 World Cup winner, didn't exactly punch the air with joy when he was updated on McCaw and Carter.

Instead of celebrating, Canada coach Crowley preferred to brush away suggestions the duo's withdrawal from this afternoon's match at the Cake Tin would be a major bonus for his team.
It wasn't difficult to envisage nervous fans around the country snorting with shock.
And it would no doubt be greeted with a great deal of enthusiasm from the All Blacks' opponents - unless you are Crowley that is. Instead he denied he would be commanding his players to alter their playbooks

"You can't just change things ... You don't like to see those guys are out. But if they are, that is fine,'' Crowley said in reference to their late exit.
"I don't see a massive difference as far as that side of things goes.''

But Crowley did acknowledge that if the key players weren't fit for the sudden-death phases it would be a huge blow for the All Blacks.

"Players like that are inspirational. Just for his (McCaw's) captaincy skills and the mana he has and the amount of turnovers he can get in a game, that is a big thing. Yeah, he would be a massive loss if he wasn't there.''

Speculation earlier in the tournament that McCaw's foot was troubling him had been denied by the All Blacks until he announced his withdrawal yesterday.
Closed trainings ensure they are able to keep such news out of the public arena, although when it was revealed Vito had been training at openside flanker this week and McCaw had limited his involvement there were suspicions something was up.
His injury limited him to just seven out of a maximum 19 appearances for the Crusaders this season and he has since earned six caps for the All Blacks.
Yet the No 7 maintained his withdraw was because only a precautionary measure to ensure he is fully fit for the sudden-death phase.

"I know I could go out and play and do my job properly. It is just the cumulative effect that next week might need an extra day (of recovery) because of the load I had. That is the reason.''
But the reality is that head coach Graham Henry's decision to select just five loose forwards could yet bite him down the tournament's homeward stretch.

With versatile loosie Adam Thomson still nursing knee and ankle injuries and No 8 Kieran Read making his first appearance of the tournament today following his ankle dramas - he is only expected to play 50 minutes - Vito and Jerome Kaino are the only fully fit loose forwards in the squad.

Lock Sam Whitelock, who has only made a couple of appearances at blindside flanker in his first-class career, has been lobbed into that mix.
And Vito yesterday confirmed he couldn't recall when he last played at openside, stating it was "probably for Wellington''.

ALL BLACKS: Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore (c), Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric, Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis, Isaia Toeava
CANADA: Matt Evans, Conor Trainor, DTH Van Der Merwe, Ryan Smith, Phil Mackenzie, Ander Monro, Ed Fairhurst, Aaron Carpenter, Chauncey O'Toole, Adam Kleeberger, Jamie Cudmore, Jebb Sinclair, Jason Marshall, Pat Riordan (c), Hubert Buydens. Reserves: Ryan Hamilton, Scott Franklin, Andrew Tiedemann, Tyler Hotson, Nanyak Dala, Sean White, Nathan Hirayama.

- Fairfax Media

All Blacks parade takes place in Wellington

2011-10-27T02:38:00.000+13:00

All Blacks parade takes place in Wellington - RWC - 3 Sport - Video - 3 News

VIDEO: Extended coverage of the All Blacks' Christchurch parade

2011-10-27T02:29:00.000+13:00

VIDEO: Extended coverage of the All Blacks' Christchurch parade - rugbyworldcup - 3 Sport - Video - 3 News

All Blacks Share the Love with Christchurch Fans

2011-10-26T02:04:00.000+13:00

The All Blacks get a little soggy

2011-10-26T02:00:00.000+13:00

Richie McCaw intercepts and scores

2011-10-26T01:49:00.000+13:00

Richie McCaw_Rugby World Cup Christchurch Appeal

2011-10-26T01:48:00.001+13:00

RICHIE MCCAW TO WIN 100TH TEST CAP CCTV News

2011-10-26T01:48:00.000+13:00

McCaw pour l'éternité

2011-10-25T23:08:00.004+13:00

Midi Olympique. Lundi 24.10.2011
par Arnaud Beurdeley arnaud.beurdeley@midi-olympique.fr

DES SUCCES DANS LES TRI NATIONS OU AVEC SON EQUIPE DES CRUSADERS, DES TITRES INDIVIDUELS, RICHIE McCAW EN AVAIT PLEIN SA VITRINE. MAIS LA CDM, LE CAPITAINE DES BLACKS NE L AVAIT TOUCHEE QUE DANS SES REVES LES PLUS BEAUX. DIMANCHE, AU COEUR DE L EDEN PARK D AUCKLAND, MALGRE UNE PRESSION IMMENSE QUI PESAIT SUR SES EPAULES, IL A ENFIN ETE AU BOUT DE SON REVE. ET CELUI DE TOUTE UNE NATION.

Dimanche 23.10.2011, Eden park Stadium, Auckland. Un frisson parcourt les tribunes, une onde de choque traverse la NZ. Durant quelques secondes, le temps est suspendu, l'histoire se fige. Pour l'éternité. Il est un peu plus de 23h quand, 24 ans après David Kirk, capitaine des ABs de 1987, R.mcCaw en digne héritier soulève le trophée William Webb Ellis.

Bien plus qu'un exploit sportif, c'est le r^ve de toute une nation qui se réalise. Au pays du long nuage blanc, l'attente était immense, la pression itou. "C'est une équipe de 4m de personnes qu'il faudra battre," avait déclaré à ce sujet le président de l'IRB B.Lapasset, en préambule de la compétition. Parce qu'en NZ, le rugby n'est pas un simple sport. C'est un art de vivre, une véritable religion.

CAPITAINE A PLEIN TEMPS
Capitaine des ABs, R. mcCaw avait donc une lourde responsabilité durant ce mondial. Une responsabilité qu'il reconnait avoir eu du mal à assimiler. "J'ai longtemps été capitaine parce que les autres l'avait décidé pour moi ; jusqu'en 2007, je n'avais pas pris réellement conscience de la dimension de la fonction."

Sean Fitzpatrick, l'ancien capitaine NZ, a, lui, coutume de dire qu'on est capitaine des ABs à plein temps. Au cours des dernières semaines, R. McCaw fut donc l'homme le plus scruté, le plus écouté, après le Premier Ministre John Key. A tel point que ce dernier, actuellement en pleine campagne électorale, avait prévenu : si les ABs gagne la CdM, Richie deviendra sir Richard McCaw. Un hommage majuscule en pays kiwi. "En revanche, s'ils perdent, il pourrait devenir le cobaye des nouveaux tasers de la police," avait ajouté dans un sourire Murray McCCully, ministre des affaires étrangères et de la CdM. Une déclaration teintée d'humour mais lourde de sens...

Ces dernières semaines, les moindres faits et gestes ont été épiés, analysés, décortiqués. En NZ, McCaw a l'aura d'un Zidane en France. Ici, il est souvent adulé, rarement détesté. Mais jamais ignoré. Parce qu'il ressemble à la ruralité nz, il est un personnage propre de la population. Le gendre idéal. Richie mcCaw a grandi à Oamaru, dans la province d'Otago. Fils de fermiers, il a le sens des valeurs d'un pays qu'il aime profondément et qu'il ne quittera jamais, même pour tous les lingos d'or du Top14.

Richie McCaw, c'est le Colin Meads de 2011. Une gueule de cow-boy, un discours simple, teinté d'humilité. Il ne ressemble à aucun autre et surtout pas aux petits génies qui l'entourent : Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Jerome Kaino ou encore Sonny Bill Williams, tous bercés de culture américaine, casquettes vissées sur la tête et parés de débardeurs flashy.

Mais durant cette CdM, c'est son intégrité physique qui s'est souvent retrouvée au centre des discussions. Forfait vs. le Japon en raison d'une douleur au pied, alors qu'il devait fêter ce jour là sa 100ème sélection sous la tunique noire (honneur inédit au pays où les rugbymen de légende ont rang de demi-dieu), la NZ s'est inquiétée. de nouveau absent face au Canada, la NZ a cette fois ci quasiment été prise de panique. Les interrogations se sont accumulées, les doutes aussi.

A la veille d'affronter l'Australie en demi finale, son pied droit, opéré en février dernier et qui l'avait contraint de renoncer aux deux premiers mois du Super15, le faisait tellement souffrir qu'il ne pouvait supporter ses chaussures à crampons. Quatre millions de NZ étaient alors suspendus au bulletin de santé de leur capitaine. Jouera, jouera pas? Télévisions, radios, journaux, on ne parlait que de Richie McCaw. Surtout depuis le forfait de Daniel Carter, survenu quelques jours plus tôt.

Evidemment, le joueur des Crusaders a souvent pu mesurer ce que représentait le poids d'être capitaine des All Blacks. En 2007, éliminé par le XV de France en quart de finale du Mondial, il avait subi, avec ses partenaires, la pire humiliation de sa carrière. A leur retour au pays, les Blacks avaient été conspués, leurs sacs de voyage lacérés par les bagagistes de l'aéroport d'Auckland.

"J'ai grandi dans une ferme du Sud de l'île ; venant de ce milieu, je n'avais jamais imaginé que ce serit comme ça, mais que voulez-vous y faire? avait-il alors déclaré dans un soupir lourd de sens* La NZ est un petit pays. Le rugby y est porté aux nues ; ce serait bien, parfois, de pouvoir aller faire ses courses ou boire une bière sans que personne ne vienne vous voir. Mais chaque fois que je pense ça, je me demande : est-ce que je voudrais faire autre chose? Et la réponse est toujours non."

EMPLI DE "MANA"
Richie McCaw sait qu'il est un privilégié. Jamais dans l'histoire du rugby nz, un capitaine n'avait eu l'honneur de mener son équipe lors de deux Coupes du monde. En 2007, après le fiasco de Cardiff, son leadership a pourtant été remis en cause par la presse. Mais comme le sélectionneur, Richie McCaw a rebondi. sans doute son aura sur le groupe a-t-elle pesé. Les Maoris appellent ça le "mana", l'autorité naturelle et le prestige des sages.

Et du "mana", Richie McCaw en est empli. Il est le chef de meute incontesté des Blacks. "Je n'ai aucun doute sur le fait qu'il deviendra le capitaine le plus influent de l'histoire de l'histoire des All Blacks," prophétisait d'ailleurs bien avant cette finale le sélctionneur Graham Henry.

Dimanche soir, Richie Mccaw, qui assurait la veille de la finale, vouloir laisser 'un héritage', lui a probablement donné raison.

Note : This article will soon be translated and posted on www.richie-mccaw.blogspot.com. Thanks for your patience.
Mary*L

*Correction : l'histoire des bagages est vraie, mais ne s'est pas produite au retour de Cardiff en 2007, mais au retour d'Australie en 2003. "Losers" faisait parti des mots d'amour sur les bagages. Amis du Midol, merci de vérifier vos infos ;)
Mary*L

100th jersey for the collection

2011-10-25T01:12:00.000+13:00

100th jersey for the collection - rugbyworldcup - 3 Sport - Video - 3 News

Richie McCaw 'good to go' after captain's run (+video)

2011-10-24T06:26:00.001+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5790799/Richie-McCaw-good-to-go-after-captains-run (click on direct link to watch the video)
LIAM NAPIER 15/10/2011

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw says he is fit to play Australia in tomorrow's Rugby World Cup semifinal, an occasion he acknowledges is "not just another game".

McCaw's declaration comes as Australia's star fullback Kurtley Beale was ruled out today, which All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith said could hurt the Wallabies.

McCaw was predictably forced to defend his ongoing foot injury today ahead of the most important All Blacks' match for four year.

He has been troubled by the problem all tournament, but continues to battle through the pain barrier, to the relief of all New Zealanders.

McCaw has limited his training to once a week with the team. His sole light run comes one day before the match. It's unusual, but without this management, the respected leader would be sitting in the stands.

He is comfortable with the minimal build-up and feels his team is in a good head-space for the clash with the trans-Tasman foes.

"The foot is good," McCaw reiterated. "It's one of those things. I know I've had to take it light for a while but you still keep up to speed with what's going on. The captain's run today I'll have a run around and make sure it's all clear and then we're into it. I'm good to go."

McCaw didn't shy away from the enormity of the occasion when he spoke to reporters, just hours before Wales and France meet in the first semifinal at Eden Park

"It's not another game, I think you acknowledge that from the start" he said."It's not just another game, but you've got to do a lot of the things exactly the same to ensure you perform. The way you train, the things you've got to do during the week, obviously you've got to make sure they are pretty similar."I think when you get into (Sunday) night, what's different is the excitement and obviously what's at the end."The big thing is not to let that get on top of you and inhibit you from going out there and playing well."I think what's been the big thing this week is to make sure we go about our process of getting ready to play, the way you train, but being excited about it because it is a World Cup semifinal."

Smith believed Beale's hamstring injury could weaken Australia's attacking prowess.
"He is an outstanding young player and he would be a loss for any team," he said of the fullback.
Smith also backed Manawatu first five-eighths Aaron Cruden to handle the pressure-cooker environment at Eden Park.

"He's a mature young man. He's been through a lot in life in terms of his cancer scare. He's a well put together young man whose got a strong drive to do well, be in this team and help this team win."

McCaw declares himself 'good to go' after run

2011-10-24T06:25:00.000+13:00

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/rugby-world-cup/mccaw-declares-himself-good-to-go-after-run-20111015-1lq2s.html October 15, 2011

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw continued his stoic stance, while assistant coach Wayne Smith thought the loss Kurtley Beale could hurt the Wallabies in Sunday's World Cup semi-final.
McCaw was predictably forced to defend his ongoing foot injury ahead of the most important All Blacks' match for four year.

He has been troubled by the problem all tournament, but continues to battle through the pain barrier, to the relief of all New Zealanders.

McCaw has limited his training to once a week with the team. His sole light run comes one day before the match. It's unusual, but without this management, the respected leader would be sitting in the stands.

He is comfortable with the minimal build-up and feels his team is in a good head-space for the clash with the trans-Tasman foes.

"The foot is good," McCaw reiterated. "It's one of those things. I know I've had to take it light for a while but you still keep up to speed with what's going on. The captain's run today I'll have a run around and make sure it's all clear and then we're into it. I'm good to go."

Smith believed Beale's hamstring injury could weaken Australia's attacking prowess.

"He is an outstanding young player and he would be a loss for any team," he said of the fullback.
Smith also backed Manawatu first five-eighths Aaron Cruden to handle the pressure-cooker environment at Eden Park.
"He's a mature young man. He's been through a lot in life in terms of his cancer scare. He's a well put together young man whose got a strong drive to do well, be in this team and help this team win."

- stuff.co.nz

McCaw: Semi not just another game

2011-10-24T06:22:00.001+13:00

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10759284 Saturday Oct 15, 2011

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw says his injured foot is "good" and he's fully fit for tomorrow's Rugby World Cup semifinal against Australia which, he says, is not just another game.
Rugby teams often try to manage the hype around matches as important as Sunday's by using the phrase "just another game" almost as an incantation.

After telling reporters "I'm good to go" after a week in which injury prevented him from taking more than a small part in All Blacks' practice sessions, McCaw wasn't about to understate the importance of tomorrow's match.
He told reporters today "you're dead right, it's not another game."
"We acknowledge that for a start but usually when you talk about another game, you can't go away from what gets you ready for Sunday," McCaw said. "The way you train and the things you've got to do during the week you've got to make sure are pretty similar or the same.
"I think when you get into tomorrow night, what's different is the excitement and obviously what's at the end.
The big thing is not to let that get on top of you and inhibit you from going out and playing well.
"And I think that's been the big thing this week, to make sure we go about our processes of getting ready to play the way you train. But (also) being excited about it because it is a World Cup semifinal. I think the balance is getting that right so it's not another game but you have to do a lot of the things exactly the same to ensure you perform."

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith agreed with McCaw and said coaches had to manage emotions as they prepared the team for Sunday's match.

"From a coach's point of view you've almost got to have an opposite emotion," he said. "You have a tendency to want to do more as the games get up to this level but you actually have to do a wee bit less because a lot of the emotion and the excitement's already there.
"For me it's been a matter of getting the routines as normal, doing the homework but just keeping it all in check."
McCaw acknowledged the danger, in the week before a major match, of players becoming too excited and leaving their best form on the training field. He said the All Blacks were aware of that possibility and had carefully managed preparation to ensure they didn't "play the match on Thursday."
"I think guys have been pretty good and I think the coaches and senior players acknowledge that that's been the case," he said. "You didn't want to get over-hyped but you want to use the excitement as an opportunity to make sure you go out and perform well.
"I think getting that balance right was key and I think the way we've built up this week was good. The guys have been excited but not over the top but you can feel there is a feeling there. We know we're in for a big match and we're looking forward to it."

McCaw said it was still valuable for the All Blacks to tap into the wider, public excitement as an adjunct to their match preparation. It wasn't possible to live in a bubble, to be unaware of that excitement, he said, but exposure to it had to be carefully controlled unless it became overwhelming.

"I think you learn to put that to the side and use bits of the excitement," he said. "You go down to the lobby of the hotel and there are people around, people coming in from all over to watch the game and I think that adds a bit of excitement and keeps reminding you what you're in for.
"But from my point of view you understand what you need to do to play on Sunday, you understand that and it's being able to keep reminding yourself this is what I have to go through this week so I'm ready to play. And the occasion and things will just add a little bit so hopefully you'll play that little bit better."

Smith said the All Blacks were well aware of the threat posed by the Wallabies and had worked hard to ensure they were able to answer it on Sunday. New Zealand lost to Australia when the teams last met during the Tri-Nations and that had emphasized, as much as the coaches could, the respect the Australians merited.

"They're a dangerous team in that they're less predictable in an attacking sense, they've got young players who are confident, they're playing with a lot of freedom so you've got threats right across the park," he said. "You've got young players who will offload and attack from anywhere.
"From that perspective it puts your defence under a lot of pressure so you've got to make sure your systems are good. I think at this stage of the season, this stage of the tournament a lot of it comes down to your willpower and your attitude. I think it will be a best of that tomorrow as much as strategy."

Smith said he wasn't daunted by the challenge faced by New Zealand in the semifinal or the final, if it won on Saturday.

"I just see it as a great opportunity," he said. "It hasn't been done for 24 years by a New Zealand team and to me that's just opportunity. It's going to happen at some point and we've got a chance to make it happen so I'm really excited about that."

- AP

Good decisions on and off field important - McCaw

2011-10-24T06:18:00.000+13:00

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rugby-2011/87833/good-decisions-on-and-off-field-important-mccaw on 10 October 2011

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw says making the right decisions on and off the field will be important if they are to win the Rugby World Cup.

Winger Cory Jane and fullback Israel Dagg had a late-night drinking session late last week.
Coach Graham Henry says he had dealt with the issue and was moving on.

McCaw was then asked whether or not senior members of the team were expected to abstain from drinking for the good of the team.

''I think if we're realistic about putting everything we can into winning this tournament, it is about making good decisions,'' he said.
''And we probably had an incident that was not a very good decision, but we've dealt with that and the guys are pretty committed about doing everything they can to win the thing.
''That's the way it has been all the way through and that's the way it will continue.''

Jane was open about what had happened, telling reporters on Sunday: ''It was a stupid choice. However, it was important for me to play well today and I feel I did.''

He said the incident had not gone down well with the coaching staff.

''It was awkward. It was pretty quiet and pretty tough,'' he said.

Henry on Sunday night indicated that Jane had been forgiven. I think he is a proud All Black and he wanted to perform.

Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

All Blacks happy but count the cost of win

2011-10-24T06:16:00.001+13:00

DUNCAN JOHNSTONE 10/10/2011 http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/sport/rugby/5757932/All-Blacks-happy-but-count-the-cost-of-win

All Blacks coach Graham Henry and captain Richie McCaw praised the composure of their side as they battled past a committed Argentina side to make the World Cup semifinals although there is another costly injury toll.

The All Blacks beat the Pumas 33-10 at Eden Park but only scored their two tries in the last 15 minutes, relying largely on Piri Weepu's accurate goalkicking to keep ahead.
When the dust settled the most alarming aspect of the result may be a groin injury to first-five Colin Slade and a shoulder injury to fullback and new test centurion Mils Muliaina from this bruising encounter.

According to Henry, Muliaina is "pretty serious -I think he might be in a little bit of trouble".
The diagnosis on Slade will be clarified on Monday but coming on top of Dan Carter's tournament ending groin injury, it has complicated a worrying area. Aaron Cruden was called after about half an hour to run the cutter and got Henry's praise.

"He enjoyed the occasion and played very well for a guy who hasn't played for a while. If you asked him a few weeks ago if he was going to play in a World Cup quarterfinal he probably would have laughed at you," Henry said of Cruden who could find himself starting Sunday's semifinal against Australia.

Henry felt the tussle with the Pumas was a good lead-in to that match against the Wallabies.
"I'm very happy, I haven't been in a semifinal, it's bloody amazing," Henry chuckled.
"I thought it was a tough old game of football and I thought both sides did well.

"I was just pleased with the composure of our players. They were under a lot of pressure at times but they kept their heads.

"I think it will be helpful, quarterfinals are always tough games aren't they, and there have been four tough games over the weekend and I'm sure we will be better for this particular game."
McCaw echoed those thoughts as his side ground out this crucial victory and moved a step closer than they managed four years ago.

"We knew it might take a bit of time, which it did, to get on top. But I thought as the game went on we took those chances.
"It comes down to one or two moments, opportunities that you have got to nail. The last thing you want to do is panic.
"The learnings over time, especially for myself and the guys that have been around for a while, is that you have to play for 80 minutes in big test matches and there are always going to be opportunities and it's about taking them.
"Argentina did what we expected, they defended really well and in the first half they slowed our ball down and we perhaps didn't get our momentum.
"But in the second half the composure was good and we played at the right end of the field and started to create opportunities to keep the scoreboard ticking over."

Last night Henry wasn't prepared to look too closely at the semifinal against the Wallabies.
"I haven't seen the game. But they are a good side aren't they?"

He wasn't surprised at the tight battle Australia had in beating South Africa 11-9 to send the defending champions out early.

"I think that's the nature of knockout rugby in the quarterfinals.
All the games have been pretty close. I think South Africa will be pretty disappointed, from what I've been told, that they lost the game.
But that's the nature of the quarterfinal rugby."

- Fairfax Media

Richie McCaw plays through pain barrier

2011-10-24T06:13:00.000+13:00

http://www.kiwikidsnews.co.nz/hot-topics/item/1029-richie-mccaw-plays-through-pain-barrier/1029-richie-mccaw-plays-through-pain-barrier Written by Sporty Sam 06 October 2011

All Black captain Richie McCaw will play through the pain barrier, but faces repeat foot surgery after the Rugby World Cup campaign.

McCaw's season has been hampered since he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right foot in February. He had surgery and missed the first two months of the Super 15 season.
Mid-series, McCaw had more troubles and the problem has flared up again recently with the loose forward on a restricted practice workload.

Those who move in circles close to the team say McCaw will play the rest of the tournament, regardless of his discomfort. He will get by on treatment, painkillers and willpower, but may need another operation once the All Blacks end their campaign.

McCaw is even more determined to survive and lead his team after the shock exit of first five-eighths Daniel Carter with a torn tendon in his groin.

Just hours before that training ground accident in Wellington, McCaw had withdrawn from the All Blacks' last pool game against Canada because of ongoing soreness in his foot.

Article sourced from NZ HERALD - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10756852

Semifinal inside knowledge: Robbie v Richie

2011-10-24T06:02:00.002+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/5787800/Inside-knowledge-Robbie-v-Richie RICHARD KNOWLER 14/10/2011

Listen to Robbie Deans eulogise about Richie McCaw and he almost has his flock of listeners believing the All Blacks captain would lead his country even if his right foot was amputated.
Despite McCaw being unable to train for the last two weeks because of his sore right foot, Wallabies coach Deans has little doubt the openside flanker will lead his side out for Sunday night's World Cup semifinal at Eden Park.

If anyone would know about McCaw's high pain threshold, or his ability to rebound from injuries, it would be his former gaffer Deans.

He played an instrumental role in introducing McCaw to first-class and international rugby after he drifted north from Otago Boys' High School to play for Canterbury a decade ago.
McCaw even played for the All Blacks before he earned his first Crusaders cap after joining Deans, who was then coach John Mitchell's assistant in late 2001, on the team's northern tour late that year.

Together Deans and McCaw shared the bitter disappointment of the All Blacks' World Cup semifinal defeat to the Wallabies in Sydney in 2003 but are now peering at each other from opposing dugouts ahead of Sunday's semi.

Deans' decision to coach the Wallabies in 2008 severed the tight relationship they once had at the Crusaders but the coach still knows there is a huge heart ticking inside McCaw's chest cavity.
And he is certain his foot injury will not affect his performance at Eden Park.
"Richie will play out of his skin,'' Deans emphasised. "He's one of those blokes - you only have to look at the way he returns from injury after a long lay-off. He doesn't work his way back into form - he hits the ground running.
"We are expecting the best from him.''

Deans today named his strongest line-up available for the semi but will wait until tomorrow before finalising whether fullback Kurtley Beale will start.
Beale suffered a minor tear to his hamstring in last weekend's quarterfinal win over the Springboks and only started running today. If he cannot prove he is fully fit at the captain's run, he will be replaced by Adam Ashley-Cooper at the back and Anthony Fainga'a will move into centre.

"In his position he's got to be at top-end and repeated top-end, so he will have to go again tomorrow morning,'' Deans added in reference to Beale.

Now former All Blacks fullback Deans is aiming to ruin his countrymen's World Cup hopes - and if he does, he would give weight to the controversial decision by the Australian Rugby Union to sign him until 2013, before the global tournament had even begun.
For his part, Deans said he would not feel vindicated if the Wallabies defeated the All Blacks, stating he is always hungry for more success.

"You constantly want more. And everyone will have an opinion on that and that's fair. They are entitled to that. I don't seek vindication, I seek to do the job I do to the best of my ability and on the back of that not only have these blokes not only enjoy their experience, but to actually succeed and have something to show for their time as well.''

And if the Wallabies fail to advance to the final he said there will be no sudden change of heart or a sudden decision to lurch over the pointy end of a sword.
"From my perspective? I'm committed."

- Stuff

Richie McCaw's value undimmed by niggly foot

2011-10-24T06:00:00.000+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/our-experts/5785093/McCaws-value-undimmed-by-niggly-foot DUNCAN JOHNSTONE 14/10/2011

OPINION: Richie McCaw might be playing with only one foot this weekend but he can count on an extra hand in the World Cup semifinal against the Wallabies.

That help might come from South African referee Craig Joubert.
It seems all the fuss over Kiwi referee Bryce Lawrence's handling of the Wallabies' scratchy quarterfinal win over the Springboks will ensure the breakdowns on Sunday will be the microscope.

Lawrence has been criticised - in South African circles anyway - for allowing this crucial area to be a free-for-all that allowed the Wallabies' outstanding No 7 David Pocock to reign there.
As a consequence Joubert, who like the teams is vying for a spot in the final, will surely keep an eagle eye on Pocock.

Of course he will be watching the crafty McCaw just as closely. But anything to even this battle right now is going to help the All Blacks skipper who, not surprisingly, doesn't seem to be operating at the peak of his powers.

But you have to admire McCaw's tenacity. The humble skipper has a real "she'll be right, let's get on with it attitude".

McCaw's been a bit grumpy lately and his irritation isn't limited to the actual pain in that right foot.

He is hating the public inspection of his on-going injury and the daily debate over the sense of playing him.
But the simple truth is that McCaw operating at 80% is still far better than the next best No 7 in the country, whoever that may be.

McCaw's value to the All Blacks goes way beyond Pocock's worth to the Wallabies.
McCaw isn't there just to hit double figures in the tackle count or steal the odd turnover which seem to be increasingly rare these days anyway.

He is there to be Richie McCaw.

His attitude to this whole distraction will be as inspiring to his team mates as any one of his countless man of the match performances in his 101 tests.

His determination to lace up his right boot and run out at Eden Park is the sort of grit the All Blacks legend is built on.

McCaw is there to lead, to show the depth of knowledge that comes with that century of internationals and, importantly, to prove that lessons have been learned from that disaster in Cardiff four years ago.

If McCaw can engineer victories over the next two weeks despite the handicap of his injury his standing in the game might be unrivalled and that's saying something given the long list of All Blacks heroes that have gone before him.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw 'proud' as All Blacks end 24 years of hurt against France in World Cup final

2011-10-24T05:22:00.001+13:00

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/newzealand/8844191/New-Zealand-captain-Richie-McCaw-proud-as-All-Blacks-end-24-years-of-hurt-against-France-in-World-Cup-final.html
By Telegraph staff and agencies
11:56AM BST 23 Oct 2011

France knocked New Zealand out of the 1999 and 2007 World Cups and gave them an almighty scare, but the hosts held out to gain revenge.

McCaw, 30, said: "It's hard to let it sink in. I'm proud of every single one of the guys. We couldn't have been under more pressure at times but we stuck to our guns and got there in the end.

"I think the key was expecting things to happen. If you hope for the best and don't prepare for it when adversity comes you're not ready for it. Everyone dug as deep as they can.
"It's hard to describe. I'm absolutely shagged (worn out). The courage, what the guys put in out there, we dug deeper than we ever have before.
"You've got to be warriors to win this. All 30 guys, plus the management, everyone did their part."

Speaking of their long wait for the title, McCaw added: "I think at some stage some team was going to do it and this group of 30 had the opportunity.
"You just have to keep getting up and believing in the mate beside you and trust in him and make sure you do your job. Everyone around New Zealand has given this team so much over the past six weeks and now we've repaid them.
"There's going to be a lot of stories told as we get older but no-one here can take it away from this group. They're tough men and I think the whole country should be very proud of every single one of them."

New Zealand coach Graham Henry added: "I'm so proud to be a New Zealander standing here.
"Richie and the boys just hanging in there right through the 80 minutes to win this thing is superb. This is something we've dreamed of for a while and now we can rest in peace.
"I've got so much respect for what the boys have done over eight years. It's been outstanding.
"Marvellous. The people have been have been outstanding in support of the team and the Rugby World Cup."

France captain Thierry Dusautoir said: "I'm very proud of my boys for what they did during the World Cup. We lost two games in the pool and we came to the final so I'm really proud of them.
"We read a lot of stuff this week. I hope we showed that we were able to play rugby and play the final of the Rugby World Cup."

RPT-PROFILE-Rugby-McCaw seeks ultimate World Cup accolade

2011-10-24T03:33:00.000+13:00

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/10/21/rugby-world-zealand-mccaw-idUKL3E7LK0FV20111021 Fri Oct 21, 2011 (Repeats ahead of final) By John Mehaffey

Oct 21 (Reuters) - All Blacks captain Richie McCaw epitomises all the mythical pioneer virtues New Zealanders revere in a game invented in Victorian England and embraced by a distant colony.

McCaw, still only 30, has been the world's outstanding loose forward since he was named man-of-the-match following his debut against Ireland at Lansdowne Road a decade ago.

All that is missing is a World Cup and, after the bitter humiliation of leading his country in the shock quarter-final loss to France four years ago, McCaw now has the opportunity to avenge that dark day in Cardiff against the same opponents at Eden Park on Sunday.

New Zealand backs coach Wayne Smith was invited this week to give his appraisal of a man rated as the best openside flanker in the history of a team which has abounded in great loose forwards.

"He's bright, he's humble, he comes from a rural background, he's tough, he never gets too far ahead of himself and he's hugely resilient," Smith said.

"I think we have seen that in the last few weeks when, although he hasn't been able to train much, he's kept his performance high. He can play the game in the head and he is mentally tough.

"I think this team is a reflection of him. These guys here are mentally tough, they're hugely committed and they're bright. He's had a really, really positive influence on the All Blacks."

PHYSICAL RESILIENCE

McCaw's mental and physical resilience in an increasingly crowded international schedule with ever more brutal physical demands is astonishing. In the most recent example he showed no effects in the semi-final against Australia of the chronic foot injury which has reduced his training to the minimum.

Born in rural Canterbury, the son of a farmer father and schoolteacher mother, he was thrust into the All Blacks' side for their 2001 tour of England, Ireland and Argentina after only eight minutes of Super 14 rugby.

Recurring concussions in his early years interrupted his progress but he still quickly made the openside position his own with his phenomenal ability to take control at the breakdown.
McCaw broadened his role of scavenger and turnover specialist to ball-runner, creator and finisher and his performances against the 2005 British and Irish Lions, in company with the equally talented flyhalf Daniel Carter, were sublime.

Opponents have complained that McCaw frequently infringes the laws of the game and has received preferential treatment from referees. His supporters say he is doing what any good flanker would do by calculating how each individual referee interprets the breakdown.
Michael Jones, the great openside flanker in the 1987 World Cup winning side, has been unstinting in his admiration of McCaw, saying he has re-defined the position so it was now both "constructive and destructive".

McCaw captained his country for the first time at the age of 23 against Wales and was the natural successor when Tana Umaga retired two years later.
The All Blacks then went into the 2007 World Cup as strong favourites, only to falter at the first knockout hurdle when they lost to France in Cardiff.

Questions were raised back home at the team's performance in general and McCaw's captaincy in particular, with the critics wondering why New Zealand did not attempt a drop goal which would have given them victory.

McCaw, who looked a shattered man after the match, was at a loss for an explanation.
"If I knew the answers we would have sorted it out. We will be thinking about it for a long time," he said.

After much debate, New Zealand stuck with McCaw and head coach Graham Henry and the pair are now poised to guide the All Blacks to their first World Cup since 1987, despite the loss through injury of Carter.

"Richie has been huge," Carter said this week. "He's been frustrated by the injury and not being able to train but his captaincy has grown to a new level at this World Cup.
"He's a real leader. The fact he's not been able to train but has put in the performances that he has in the games is fantastic. The guys really follow his actions."

(Editing by Ian Ransom; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Warrior McCaw an inspiration

2011-10-24T03:25:00.000+13:00

2011-10-21 http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/RugbyWorldCup2011/Warrior-McCaw-an-inspiration-20111021

Auckland - No one more typifies the All Blacks' insatiable hunger for an elusive Rugby World Cup crown than inspirational skipper Richie McCaw.

GALLERY: All Blacks wrap up preparation
GALLERY: Rugby World Cup final match-ups

The openside flank has carried a right foot injury through the demanding six-week tournament, but has been there when it really counted for the All Blacks.
McCaw, the three-times world player of the year - no one else has won it more than once - is treated with almost divine reverence in his rugby-obsessed homeland, where the media refer to him as "Captain Fantastic".

The 30-year-old became the first All Black to play 100 Tests and was presented with a special cap to mark the occasion in the pool stage victory over France, the hosts' opponents in Sunday's World Cup final at Eden Park.

"Every single minute I have played in the jersey for the All Blacks, huge memories. I love it just as much today as I did the first time I put the jersey on," he told the home crowd, as they chanted "Richie, Richie.", following his 100th Test.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry describes McCaw as not only an inspiration to his team but also to his country.

"He's a special player, a special man and inspirational to the country, not only inspirational to this rugby team but an inspiration to New Zealanders," Henry said.
"His steel, his bravery, his ability to lead from the front and by example, the respect the players have for him."

McCaw has become renowned for a tireless work rate, using his size and strength in punishing tackles and possessing an uncanny ability to win turnover ball. He is the benchmark for number sevens in world rugby.
McCaw has lost only 12 of his 102 Tests with New Zealand, and only eight of those as his country's skipper since 2006.

It has been a challenging and painful tournament for the unpretentious McCaw, sitting out training to preserve his injured foot through to game day and giving his all for his country.
That was no more evident than when he delivered masterclass in the art of the 'jackal in the tackle' to rival flanker David Pocock as New Zealand overwhelmed Australia 20-6 to reach the World Cup final.

McCaw showed no sign of the foot injury dating back to surgery for a stress fracture at the start of the year as he bossed the breakdown and Pocock with it.
"He has trained very little and where some other people might push it and not play, he's not pushing it so he can play," Henry observed.

And driving McCaw on is the painful memory of New Zealand's quarter-final loss to France four years ago, when he was also leading the team.
McCaw was inconsolable after the shattering defeat in Cardiff and like other members of the scarred All Blacks team received grief counselling.
But now the All Blacks are within 80 minutes of redemption to claim their long overdue second Webb Ellis Cup and get back one back on France, the team they beat in the 1987 final, also at Eden Park.

As New Zealand's rugby royalty, McCaw's lifestyle regularly fills the country's society pages but always with reference to how the modest leader puts the nation and his sport first.
He turned down an invitation to this year's wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton saying he wanted to focus on the Super 15 rugby competition.
He also rejected lucrative offers to play for European clubs saying he would rather play in New Zealand.

And he was the determined frontman for television commercials inspiring people in Christchurch following the devastating earthquakes which wrecked his home city this year.
McCaw recently extended his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union, which will take him through to the next World Cup in 2015 and, barring injury, he'll threaten the world record for Tests of 139 held by Australian George Gregan.

New Zealand to end 24 ears of hurt

2011-10-24T03:24:00.000+13:00

http://worldsport.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/21/new-zealand-to-end-24-years-of-hurt/ October 21, 2011

Like any other sport, rugby has plenty of clichés and one of them is to never write off the French. It won’t apply on Sunday at Eden Park Stadium, though, and I expect New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup final by a record margin.

A week ago, that would have been a bold prediction. Now, it seems a statement of the obvious. France’s stock has plunged further than the global finance markets, while the All Blacks look every inch the number one-ranked team in the world.

Rugby means so much in New Zealand, and the pressure on the All Blacks to win this tournament is so vast, that my usual professional detachment briefly deserted me on Sunday. Even I felt nervous ahead of the hosts’ semifinal showdown against Australia.

It was as if the nation’s expectation had manifested itself as a physically heavier atmosphere, weighing down on everyone in the Auckland area. Imagine someone pressing down on your shoulders for several seconds and then the feeling of release when they let go.

Multiply that sensation by four million and you’ll begin to understand the relief felt by the entire population here, now that the biggest obstacle to their team’s success has been overcome. Right now, all Kiwis feel they can leap tall buildings in a single bound and such is their bond with their rugby team that that optimism will surely translate itself to the players.

It’s different to the sort of complacency which has contributed to the All Blacks’ downfall at previous World Cups. It’s simply the realisation that, without tension, New Zealand play the best rugby on the planet and France will be overwhelmed.

Like any major sporting event, there is almost an army of ex-players and commentators here – but they’re all scratching their heads trying to work out how a team as bad as France has got so far. Even the French coach has described his players as “spoiled brats.”

Their attitude at the news conference before last week’s semifinals was casual and a little insolent. They lounged in their chairs chewing sweets and even threw one to a reporter who, in a desperate attempt to establish a rapport, asked what they were eating.

France became only the second side in World Cup history to lose two pool matches and still qualify for the knockout stages. Then they had the good fortune to face an England team already reeling from its off-field indiscipline. And but for Sam Warburton’s recklessness and a strict referee, Wales would surely have brought Les Bleus’ lucky run to an end.

The two most one-sided finals in Rugby World Cup history were in 1987 and 1999, when New Zealand and Australia won by 20 and 23 points respectively. On both occasions, France were the losers and don’t bet against anything less this time.

Posted by: Alex Thomas, CNN World Sport Anchor

Rugby World Cup final: Richie McCaw carries the hopes of New Zealand

2011-10-24T03:21:00.000+13:00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2011/oct/21/rugby-world-cup-final-richie-mccaw?newsfeed=true Robert Kitson in Auckland guardian.co.uk, Friday 21 October 2011

New Zealand has changed substantially over the past two decades. Farewell the long white cloud; welcome to the land of the long flat white. What will forever remain is the pressure on the serving All Black captain. Richie McCaw, the present keeper of the flame, is required to be a simultaneous mix of Sir Edmund Hillary, Colin "Pine Tree" Meads and Mother Theresa. He has done a sterling job; you could travel to the furthest corners of the North and South Islands and still find not a soul with a bad word to say about him.

Because McCaw is the embodiment of how most Kiwis like to see themselves: uncomplaining, modest, durable and resourceful. "He's very, very bright, he's brave and he's talented," said Graham Henry . "It's not a bad combination." Wayne Smith, the All Blacks's backs coach, is similarly fulsome. "Probably the same things characterise him as a player and a leader. He's bright, he's humble, he comes from a rural background so he's tough, he never gets too far ahead of himself and he's hugely resilient." McCaw on one leg, in other words, is better than most players on two.

And now, finally, the ultimate test of his leadership awaits. His friend and Canterbury team-mate Dan Carter is among those who believe McCaw's maturing contribution as captain is among the main reasons why the All Blacks will not blow it this time. "Richie's been huge. He's been frustrated with injury but his leadership has grown to a new level at this World Cup. That motivation has rubbed off on the guys. He is our leader and the guys follow him. For somebody not to be able to train and put in the performances he has done has been fantastic."

None of these are idle compliments. New Zealand cannot entertain complacency, even with bookmakers already paying out on a French defeat. But McCaw's performance in last Sunday's semi-final against Australia was remarkable by any standards. The nerves swirling around Eden Park were real enough. Opposite was David Pocock, heir to his crown as the world's best openside flanker. It was widely expected McCaw would not finish the game, having struggled with his ongoing foot problem against Argentina and not trained for a fortnight. Instead it was the Wallabies who blinked. McCaw was outstanding, his somersaulting steal from Anthony Faingaa the most obvious example. He topped the tackle count and hit more than 30 rucks with the stealth of a black panther. "We realised that playing against the Wallabies in a semi-final meant we had to take it to another level," explained McCaw matter-of-factly. "Every man made sure they did that."

A repeat performance and McCaw will join an illustrious club. David Kirk, Nick Farr-Jones, François Pienaar, John Eales, Martin Johnson and John Smit: it cannot be a coincidence that World Cup winners have inspirational leaders at the helm. In McCaw's case it will feel all the sweeter given his involvement in the failed 2007 campaign, when the All Blacks froze against France in Cardiff. Four years on, those close to him notice a discernible difference. "It starts with the leader," said Steve Hansen. "Richie has grown into an outstanding captain. I think the leadership group is a lot better than it was in 2007."

All of which underlines why few true rugby supporters will begrudge an end to two decades of Kiwi angst. Pass the 30-year-old McCaw in the corridor, in his T-shirt and jeans, and he does not block out the light, nor dazzle passers-by with his presence. On Thursday, by way of relaxation, he went shopping for fishing gear. By inclination he is an understated hero, his bashfulness a silent rebuke to lesser players who reckon they know it all. His grandfather, who flew more than 300 missions in the second world war, taught him to fly gliders from the age of nine but, otherwise, his upbringing was determinedly normal. His mother, Margaret, was a teacher and his father, Don, never played rugby. The family had a farm in the Hakataramea Valley in South Canterbury, and young Richard, as he was then, began his career at the local Kurow club. His team lost two games in five years. "Often, Richie would be our entire loose-forward trio, because being from a small country place we were often two or three players short," a team-mate recalled. "He was good enough for three players and we were still generally too good for the town teams."

He went on to be head boy and captain of cricket at Otago Boys High School but was kept out of the NZ Schools team by Sam Harding, another future All Black. Not for the first or last time in his life, disappointment merely spurred him on. One of his predecessors as captain, Anton Oliver, remembers coming across the young McCaw for the first time in the All Black team of 2001, the newcomer having not even started a Super 12 game. "When we got out of the changing sheds, he was usually the first to have his boots on and he was gone. I used to watch him and think he was like a sheepdog who's been tied up on the back of the truck or in the pen all night. You let them out and they tear off all over the place."

One hundred and two Test matches and three IRB Player of the Year awards later, the opposition still strain to catch him. Those who label McCaw a "cheat" at the breakdown are forgetting a top-class flanker's raison d'être. Nor do they fully appreciate his off-field influence. "In the last few weeks, when he hasn't been able to train much, he's still kept his performance high because he can play the game in the head and he's mentally tough," said Smith. "He's had a really positive influence on the All Blacks. I think this team is starting to be a reflection of him."
If the All Blacks do win on Sunday, their captain will deserve the torrent of praise heading his way.

All Black Richie McCaw singled out for praise by Olympic boss

2011-10-24T03:15:00.001+13:00

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10760895 Saturday Oct 22, 2011

Olympic boss Jacques Rogge has outed himself as a dyed-in-the-wool Richie McCaw fan.
The International Olympic Committee president, a passionate follower of the game who played flanker in the Belgian national team, the Black Devils, did not hesitate yesterday to name the All Black captain as his favourite rugby player.

Rogge, 69, is in the country to celebrate the New Zealand Olympic Committee's centenary, attend the opening of a high-performance training centre and watch the closing stages of the Rugby World Cup.

"I am not going to surprise you or be very original by saying Richie McCaw. He is, I believe, one of the best openside flankers of all time. It is difficult to compare different generations and unfair to do that, but what he does on the pitch is absolutely unbelievable.

"He is where the ball is. He is a fierce defender, he is tackling a lot, he is motivating the team. It's like he never feels the fatigue. He is an outstanding player and also a very nice personality."
And how did the likes of McCaw compare to his day?

"It is not the same game any more, neither the same man," says the three-time Olympic yachtsman.
"I could play openside flanker being only 6 feet 1 inch [183cm] and weighing only 87-88 kilos. Nowadays I would be fit enough to carry the shirt but not much more than that."

Mr Rogge would approve of the All Blacks giving priority to running rugby, having declared himself unhappy with the quality of play at the 2007 World Cup when, he said then, defence took precedence over attack.

Law changes had since helped, he said yesterday, but he had a suggestion.

"I would love to see a rule where the referees give an instruction after the ruck to play the ball because at times you see the ball at the feet of the attacking team and you see the scrum-half looking left, looking right, waiting, shifting his players and the ball just lies there.
"If the referee had the authority to say, 'Play' ... I think that would accelerate the game."
Mr Rogge said feedback on the cup he had heard around the world was that it was excellent. "What they see on television is absolutely fabulous. I think this will do a lot of good for rugby but also a lot of good for New Zealand."

Rugby was one of the six founding sports of the Olympics but the 15-man game is unlikely to return.

"Unfortunately, we think this is not possible because you need recovery time between matches of at least four or five days. The Olympic tournament is only 16 days long so it is impossible ... to ask teams to play four or five matches in [that] time."

The introduction of Sevens to the Olympics (men's and women's competitions debut in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro) would boost the profile, participation and funding of Sevens around the world and also benefit the 15-man game, Mr Rogge said.

And so to tomorrow night's final. The IOC chief, who played under a French coach, predicts a close match. "France had a shaky start ... but on a particular day, as you well know in New Zealand, France can be a very difficult opponent."

By Phil Taylor

McCaw won't let them blow it this time

2011-10-24T03:06:00.001+13:00

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/1022/1224306299091.html
The Irish Times - Saturday, October 22, 2011

The All Blacks captain has had a positive influence on his team, says ROBERT KITSON

NEW ZEALAND has changed substantially over the past two decades. Farewell the long white cloud; welcome to the land of the long flat white. What will forever remain is the pressure on the serving All Black captain. Richie McCaw, the present keeper of the flame, is required to be a simultaneous mix of Edmund Hillary, Colin “Pine Tree” Meads and Mother Theresa. He has done a sterling job; you could travel to the furthest corners of the North and South Islands and still find not a soul with a bad word to say about him.

Because McCaw is the embodiment of how most Kiwis like to see themselves: uncomplaining, modest, durable and resourceful. “He’s very, very bright, he’s brave and he’s talented,” said Graham Henry yesterday. “It’s not a bad combination.”

Wayne Smith, the All Blacks backs coach, is similarly fulsome. “Probably the same things characterise him as a player and a leader. He’s bright, he’s humble, he comes from a rural background so he’s tough, he never gets too far ahead of himself and he’s hugely resilient.”
McCaw on one leg, in other words, is better than most players on two. And now, finally, the ultimate test of his leadership awaits. His friend and Canterbury team-mate Dan Carter is among those who believe McCaw’s maturing contribution as captain is among the main reasons why the All Blacks will not blow it this time.

“Richie’s been huge. He’s been frustrated with injury but his leadership has grown to a new level at this World Cup. That motivation has rubbed off on the guys. He is our leader and the guys follow him. For somebody not to be able to train and put in the performances he has done has been fantastic.”
None of these are idle compliments. New Zealand cannot entertain complacency, even with bookmakers already paying out on a French defeat. But McCaw’s performance in last Sunday’s semi-final against Australia was remarkable by any standards.

The nerves swirling around Eden Park were real enough. Opposite was David Pocock, heir to his crown as the world’s best openside flanker. It was widely expected McCaw would not finish the game, having struggled with his ongoing foot problem against Argentina and not trained for a fortnight. Instead it was the Wallabies who blinked.

McCaw was outstanding, his somersaulting steal from Anthony Faingaa the most obvious example. He topped the tackle count and hit more than 30 rucks with the stealth of a black panther.

“We realised that playing against the Wallabies in a semi-final meant we had to take it to another level,” explained McCaw matter-of-factly. “Every man made sure they did that.”
A repeat performance tomorrow and McCaw will join an illustrious club. David Kirk, Nick Farr-Jones, Francois Pienaar, John Eales, Martin Johnson and John Smit: it cannot be a coincidence that World Cup winners have inspirational leaders at the helm.

In McCaw’s case it will feel all the sweeter given his involvement in the failed 2007 campaign, when the All Blacks froze against France in Cardiff. Four years on, those close to him notice a discernible difference. “It starts with the leader,” said Steve Hansen. “Richie has grown into an outstanding captain.”

All of which underlines why few true rugby supporters will begrudge an end to two decades of Kiwi angst. Pass the 30-year-old McCaw in the corridor, in his T-shirt and jeans, and he does not block out the light, nor dazzle passers-by with his presence.

By inclination he is an understated hero, his bashfulness a silent rebuke to lesser players who reckon they know it all. His grandfather, who flew more than 300 missions in the second World War, taught him to fly gliders from the age of nine but, otherwise, his upbringing was determinedly normal.

Those who label McCaw a “cheat” at the breakdown are forgetting a top-class flanker’s raison d’etre. Nor do they fully appreciate his off-field influence.

“In the last few weeks, when he hasn’t been able to train much, he’s still kept his performance high because he can play the game in the head and he’s mentally tough,” said Smith.
“He’s had a really positive influence on the All Blacks. I think this team is starting to be a reflection of him.”

If the All Blacks do win tomorrow, their captain will deserve the torrent of praise heading his way.

Too many whiney Kiwis at the moment

2011-10-24T03:02:00.002+13:00

http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/22/too-many-whiney-kiwis-at-the-moment/
Oct 22nd by Jaysper

There are too many whiney Kiwis at the moment. Ok, there I said it. Quite frankly, someone needed to.

First of all, Richie McCaw is not a Saint or King, he is a RUGBY PLAYER. Let me spell it for you: R.U.G.B.Y P.L.A.Y.E.R. got it?

Ok then. So why on Earth does Quade Cooper need to respect him or any of the All Blacks for that matter? If he doesn’t respect what he can do with a ball, it might be to his peril – but that’s about it.

One of the most recent articles I have read on this site suggests that Cooper should apologise to McCaw and New Zealand. What a lot of old tosh!. Quite frankly, Cooper’s behaviour pales in comparison to that of a LOT of rugby players including Richard Loe and Sean Fitzpatrick, each of who were both guilty of far worse.

Should any of us condone this sort of behaviour? No of course not, but lets not be precious about it. As Tana Umaga once said “We’re not playing tiddly winks”.

So please all you whiney Kiwis out there, stop embarrassing those men in New Zealand who DON’T sit down when it’s time to pee!

And to add some balance, will the Aussies please stop whining about how the loss of the world cup is all the fault of Robbie Deans. The Wallabies have a win rate of approximately 20% against the All Blacks, so why Australians think that the cup was theirs to lose is beyond me.

Now before the Kiwis start to flame us damned Aussies for my comments, I am a Kiwi man born, raised and living in New Zealand.As for you Aussies on this site, I am sure that you are lighting the BBQs as I write.

Finally, go the All Blacks!

*Mary's note : I don't usually publish articles like this one, but I liked it!

McCaw's nervous Dad finally feels a bit calmer

2011-10-24T02:55:00.001+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5803755/McCaws-nervous-Dad-finally-feels-a-bit-calmer
MATT RICHENS 18/10/2011

Pressure may seem to wash over All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw like water off a duck's back, but his father, Donald, isn't quite as cool.

Like the rest of New Zealand, McCaw Sr admitted to being "very, very nervous" ahead of Sunday's semifinal game against the Wallabies. "I lost a fair bit of sleep over it last week," he said. "I kept waking up and thinking about it."

Donald and his wife Margaret were among the 60,000-plus crowd at Eden Park for the 20-6 win, and will be there this weekend too, but popped home first thing yesterday.
"I thought I better come home and do some work," said McCaw Sr who has seen every All Black game at this World Cup and seen the French play twice.
Despite the early flight, the McCaws still caught up with their son in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Donald said his "Richard" and the rest of the All Blacks were reserved after the win, preferring to look forward to this Sunday's final against the French than to get carried away with their semifinal success.

"I think they realise it was good to get that out of the way, but they've still got some unfinished business to deal with."

Greg Ellis, Andy Ellis' father, said the same.

"I think they're pretty relieved to have got past Australia, but the job's not finished yet is it?"
It's tough work being the parent of an All Black, they ride the highs and lows worse than the rest of us.
"I think I'm more nervous than the players about the whole thing," McCaw said.

Donald and Margaret McCaw know only too well what can happen in World Cup knockout matches and that, Donald said, added to the relief of Sunday night's win.

Eight years ago they were in Sydney when a pinpoint Carlos Spencer pass found the waiting arms of Aussie centre Stirling Mortlock and the Wallabies upset the All Blacks 22-10.

Four years later the McCaws were among the thousands of Kiwis left gobsmacked in Cardiff as Wayne Barnes missed a blatant forward pass – and the All Blacks capitulated – against France in the quarterfinals.

But Donald has a better feeling about Sunday's final against the capricious French.
"I don't think the French pose the same threat [as the Wallabies]," he said.
"I am still a bit nervous about the final though, the French always bring that unknown quantity."
The McCaws, including Richie's younger sister Jo, will be at Eden Park on Sunday cheering him on after he had bought a few tickets himself.
Donald said his son was only to happy to give the tickets away instead of having to use them himself.

Greg and Sue Ellis will also be at Eden Park and have opted to stay in the middle of the festival atmosphere in Auckland all week.

Ellis' form and quick passing has leapt him ahead of Southland's Jimmy Cowan in the halfback pecking order and the former Burnside High pupil has forked out for tickets so his family can see what could be New Zealand rugby's night of redemption against France.

Ellis' younger brother, Simon, will also be there and the family are frantically trying to organise flights to Auckland for sister Amanda from her home in Melbourne.

In Ellis' brief appearance last Sunday, the plucky halfback took a nasty knock and left the field with a face full of blood. Any pain the banged-up and bruised All Blacks felt was surely trumped by the fact they had made their first World Cup final in 16 years, had a chance to win their first title since 1987, and had another shot at the traditional World Club stumbling block, France.

- The Press

R.McCaw has maturd into great captain

2011-10-24T02:53:00.000+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/our-experts/5810983/Richie-McCaw-has-matured-into-great-captain 19/10/2011 by Mark Reason

OPINION: The Man with the big chisel has started to etch a few preliminary lines. Richie McCaw's head is ready to be carved into rugby's Mount Rushmore.

Great captains win Rugby World Cups. Four years ago McCaw was not that man. He is now.
Even as recently as the Tri-Nations there were doubts about McCaw's leadership. He was seen as slow to make tactical adjustments. On Sunday McCaw came of age. He led his men with the sort of calculated fury that we used to get from Sean Fitzpatrick and Martin Johnson.

And maybe the key to it all was that McCaw had spent the week on one leg. McCaw has always said he likes to lead by example, but at this World Cup he has had to take a step back at training. McCaw has been forced to study the map, forced to feel the mood of his men, before charging off into no man's land.

I have never seen McCaw smile on a rugby pitch the way that he did on Sunday night. There was eight years of satisfaction in that one smile. It came from a very deep place. The victory over Australia was the biggest achievement of McCaw's career.

Part of the smile was because the Aussies had been put in their place. Quade Cooper had been humbled. David Pocock - who like it or not is still the world's best openside - had been backed into a corner. But part of the smile was about team.

It was about how Owen Franks and Brad Thorn and Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino and the rest of the All Blacks pack had smashed Australia. It was a man's smile. It was about being bigger and stronger and harder. It was about male dominance.

McCaw is an icon in New Zealand and the country growls at the suggestion that he shoplifts when he thinks he can get away with it or is no longer the best player in the world. But maybe New Zealand is growling less than it used to. Maybe it feels less threatened by such statements of the bleeding obvious.

And maybe New Zealand can now celebrate McCaw for who he is and not as some symbol of the whole country's masculinity. He is a good bloke and a hell of a rugby player who for six years was the best in the world. But he is a far better captain now than he ever was.
The earthquake surely had something to do with his heightened authority. McCaw said at the time: "There is a new normal now."

The new normal became a New Zealand that looked beyond its own fenceline. The new normal became referees who behaved like McCaw's private secretary. The new normal was a Canterbury captain who finally became the leader of a whole country. The new normal was Piri Weepu and Cory Jane and Aaron Cruden no longer feeling that teacher is looking warily at them.

Before the World Cup I wrote that not all men are great leaders, but that I had a hunch that McCaw and New Zealand would finally pull through. I felt that compared to the captains of the other countries - John Smit aside and he was not worth his place in South Africa's team - McCaw looked a very big man.

Graham Henry puts his skipper on the list of captains that includes Wilson Whineray, Brian Lochore, Graham Mourie, Wayne Shelford and Sean Fitzpatrick. But New Zealand has to beat France in order to justify McCaw's ennoblement. When that happens shortly before 11 o'clock on Sunday evening, then Sir Richie will be Henry's 'special' captain.

Of course it just had to be France. It just had to be Thierry Dusautoir, the flanker who McCaw respects beyond any other. But there won't be a repeat of four years ago and that match. McCaw knows now not to keep "the lid on too tight." Like Henry he is learning to smile.

We saw the difference last week in the pinched faces of Robbie Deans and James Horwill compared to the easy going confidence of Henry and McCaw. It was a complete role reversal from previous World Cups. The All Blacks have finally learned to be cool.

There is no other way for them to win a World Cup in their own country. On the train going into Auckland city on Sunday a young man talked about having to give up his job because he was too worried about the All Blacks. You could feel his vibe in the stadium on Sunday. New Zealand fans are so uptight that they only start really cheering when they know their team has won. The All Blacks have to float beyond that tension.

Eight years ago in Australia McCaw went to the final in Sydney because his parents had bought tickets. He said before this World Cup: "I don't know why I went. It was horrible being there. Now I've been to one, I wouldn't mind going to another."
Well, Richie, you made it.

- Stuff

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw hails 'awesome' win over Australia

2011-10-24T02:34:00.001+13:00

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/878731-new-zealand-captain-richie-mccaw-hails-awesome-rwc-win-over-australia
METRO SPORT REPORTER - 16th October, 2011

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw hailed his side's intensity in their World Cup semi-final win over Australia, and called for a repeat in next week's final.
The All Blacks will return to Eden Park to take on France after a comprehensive 20-6 success against the Wallabies today.
And McCaw said: 'It was awesome, we realised had to front up and be on the job for 80 minutes. Every single man did their bit, and that's what you've got to do in knockout rugby.
'We've got the job to do next week, but I'm pleased with how the guys fronted up. The intensity of the ball-carriers and at the breakdown was the key."
New Zealand also dominated the scrum and McCaw continued: 'One to five have been around a long time, that's been building and it was a pretty good performance tonight, but we need it next week.'
The superstar flanker has been nursing a foot injury throughout the tournament, but said: 'I'll rest up again and be good to go next week, I'm sure.'

All Blacks Seek to Relive ‘Good Times’ Against France

2011-10-24T02:32:00.000+13:00

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-10-17/all-blacks-seek-to-relive-good-times-against-france.html
October 17, 2011 Bloomberg By Tracy Withers

(Adds bookmakers’ odds in seventh paragraph, fresh comment from coach Graham Henry.)
Oct. 17 (Bloomberg) -- New Zealand will meet France in next week’s Rugby World Cup final, intent on a repeat of its victory in the 1987 championship decider rather than defeats in 1999 and 2007 at the hands of the European team.

“There’s a bit of history there,” All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said last night at Auckland’s Eden Park after his team’s semifinal win over Australia. “We’ve had some good times playing against them and we’ve had not so good times.”

The All Blacks extended their winning run at Eden Park, which will host the Oct. 23 final, to 26 matches with a 20-6 victory over the Wallabies. France, which was the last team to beat New Zealand at the stadium in 1994, defeated Wales 9-8 in the first semifinal two days ago.
Top-ranked New Zealand won by 20 points when the teams met on Sept. 24 in a Pool A match, one of two losses for France in the group stage. The French, who were also upset by Tonga, rebounded by beating England and Wales to become the first nation to reach a World Cup final after two losses.

France, ranked fifth by the International Rugby Board, eliminated the All Blacks twice in World Cup knockout games, including a win in the 2007 quarterfinals.
“That game caused some people a lot of pain,” All Blacks coach Graham Henry said today at a news conference at the team’s Auckland hotel. “There’s history in All Black-French Rugby World Cup games.”

Odds-on Favorite

New Zealand is the NZ$1.08 favorite to win the match, according to local bookmaker TAB, meaning a successful NZ$1 (80 cents) bet returns a profit of 8 New Zealand cents. France is the NZ$7 outsider.

The All Blacks, who won their only World Cup by beating France 24 years ago, need to come down from yesterday’s victory before focusing on the final, according to their coach.
“You can’t stay up there,” said Henry, who has won 85 percent of his matches in charge of New Zealand. “We’ve got to get to base again, a clean sheet of paper and build again. Although they didn’t play particularly well in their semifinal, we know they’ve got the ability to play outstanding rugby.”

The 20-18 loss to France in Cardiff, Wales, four years ago led to calls for Henry to be fired. He was reappointed following a review. McCaw captained the team that day and was also criticized for failing to change tactics.

At the 1999 World Cup, France rallied from 14 points down early in the second half to oust tournament favorite New Zealand 43-31 in a semifinal played at Twickenham, London.
‘Dangerous’
“We know that you can never write them off,” said All Blacks fly-half Aaron Cruden, who became the team’s first-choice playmaker after groin injuries to Dan Carter and Colin Slade. “People had written them off this tournament but they have made the final and are dangerous.”

The 1987 final was one of the good times. The inaugural tournament, also in New Zealand, pitted the All Blacks against France and the home side won 29-9 at Eden Park.

Next week will be France’s 10th Test match against the All Blacks at the Auckland stadium. They have two wins there and also defeated New Zealand in Dunedin two years ago.

“We are not going to get ahead of ourselves,” McCaw said. “We have given ourselves a chance.”
Australia coach Robbie Deans, a New Zealander, expects his home country to end its 24-year wait between world titles.

“They are more than capable of winning,” Deans told reporters. “They are hungry. They’ll take some stopping from here.”

--Editors: Dan Baynes, James Cone
To contact the reporter on this story: Tracy Withers in Auckland at twithers@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Christopher Elser at celser@bloomberg.net

MARK KEOHANE: Master McCaw will deserve his World Cup win

2011-10-24T02:30:00.000+13:00

http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=156171 2011/10/17

RICHIE McCaw was asked, 48 hours before the World Cup semifinal 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 gain line.

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 gain-line 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 gain-line collisions are lost.

Wales will attest to that. Sure, they were heroic and magnificent in playing 14 against 15 in a World Cup semifinal 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 semifinal.

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 semifinal 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.

Guess which All Back forward led the way

2011-10-24T02:26:00.001+13:00

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10759712
Monday Oct 17, 2011 By Tracey Nelson

Stats guru Tracey Nelson crunches the numbers from the weekend's Rugby World Cup semifinals where once again an All Black prop was the most mobile around the field.

NEW ZEALAND v AUSTRALIA (20-6)

The foundation for the All Blacks' win was yet again laid by their tight five, with Owen Franks standing out for the second week in a row as the busiest forward being in the first three arrivals at the breakdown on 40 occasions - eclipsing his captain yet again. Brad Thorn was the next best with 35 arrivals, followed by Richie McCaw with 30 and Tony Woodcock with 28.

There were plenty of lineouts in this game, with 13 thrown by New Zealand and 17 by Australia. Top lineout jumper for the All Blacks was Kieran Read with four from four, while for Australia it was replacement lock Rob Simmons also with four from four.

Both teams lost just one lineout on their own throw with Brad Thorn stealing one off the Australians, while it was a sloppy throw by Keven Mealamu to Sam Whitelock that saw New Zealand lose their only throw in the first half.

The All Blacks had nine scrum feeds and won all of them. Australia had six feeds and won four, conceding penalties on the other two feeds.
Top ball carriers for the All Blacks were Keven Mealamu and Richie McCaw with 11 carries each. Mealamu gained 42 metres with his carries, while McCaw managed 30 metres.

Top ball carriers for the Wallabies were David Pocock and James Horwill both with nine carries. Both gained similar territory with 30 and 29 metres gained respectively.
Richie McCaw was the top tackler in the game with 16 tackles and three assists, while the second best was David Pocock with 15 tackles.

The All Blacks made 142 tackles in the game and missed 19 (13 per cent), while the Wallabies made 150 tackles and missed 29 (19 per cent).
Radike Samo and Anthony Faingaa missed the most tackles in this match with four each, while Sam Whitelock and Richie McCaw both missed three tackles each. David Pocock missed none of his tackles.

Cory Jane cleanly fielded no less than six high kicks, plus took two restarts.
Top linebreakers in this game were Israel Dagg with three, and Digby Ioane and Quade Cooper with two each.

There were 17 penalties in total awarded by Craig Joubert. New Zealand conceded seven, with four at the breakdown, two at the scrum and one for foul play with a yellow card awarded against Sonny Bill Williams for a shoulder charge. Austrlaia conceded 11 penalties, seven at the breakdown, three at the scrum and one for accidental offside from a knock on.
David Pocock conceded the most tackles of any player in the match with 3 breakdown penalties, but also won two breakdown turnovers.

The All Blacks turned the ball over on 15 occasions, which included nine handling errors and four breakdown turnovers conceded. Australia turned the ball over 17 times, which included eight handling errors and 6 breakdown turnovers conceded.

Australia had just one shot at goal in this match, with James O'Connor slotting a penalty in the 16th minute of the game. Their only other scoring came from Quade Cooper's first test drop goal in the 31st minute. Thereafter the Australians were kept scoreless.

Piri Weepu had an off night with the boot, after coming into this game having landed 11 of his 12 shots at goal previously. He landed four from seven penalties, and missed a conversion. Aaron Cruden landed a drop goal in the 21st minute of the game, but missed a penalty goal in the second half.

FRANCE v WALES (9-8)

This match will be remembered for Welsh captain Sam Warburton's tip tackle on Vincent Clerc in the 18th minutes which earned him a red card, and saw Wales play with just 14 men for the remaining 62 minutes of the game.

It was a case of history repeating, because the last time Wales made a RWC semi final (1987) they also had a player red carded (Huw Richards) which was incidentally the first red card ever awarded at a RWC tournament.
There were only 13 penalties awarded by Alain Rolland, with seven conceded by Wales and six conceded by France.

Despite being down a man for over three quarter of the match Wales still managed to have 48 percent of the possession and spent 49 minutes of the game attacking, while France could only manage 31 minutes on attack and spent the majority of their game defending.
Welsh No 8 Toby Felatau was the top ball carrier in the game with 18 carries and a gain of 92 metres.

Mike Phillips, Welsh halfback and the sole try scorer in this match, made six runs for a gain of 45 metres. He also passed the ball 99 times, while his French counterpart Dimitri Yachvili only passed 30 times.

The Welsh backs made 77 runs and kicked the ball 27 times, while the French backline only made a paltry 19 runs as they seemly preferred to kick putting boot-to-ball 33 times.
The Welsh pack, minus their captain, made a staggering 100 percent of their tackles and overall the team only missed five percent of their 70 tackle attempts. Top tackler for Wales was their blindside flanker Danny Lydiate with 12.

France, in comparison, had to make 180 tackles and completed 90 percent of them. Their top tackler was captain Thierry Dusautoir with 19 tackles and no misses.
There were five clean linebreaks in total in this match, with France's Morgan Parra making two of his team's total of three. Mike Phillip's linebreak for Wales led to his try.
There were plenty of handling errors in the game, with Wales knocking the ball on 10 times while France knocked it on 11 times.
The one area France excelled in was contesting the lineout, where they stole six of the Welsh throw-ins.

Had their goal kickers been on song Wales could still have won this match. James Hook missed two of his three penalty attempts and an attempted drop goal, Stephen Jones shaved the uprights with his conversion attempt, and Leigh Halfpenny's long range penalty attempt fell just short after his plant foot slipped on the turf.
In comparison, France's Morgan Parra landed all three of his penalty attempts. He and Maxime Medard both missed a drop goal attempt.

The reason why the All Blacks stand on the brink of greatness? That's Richie

2011-10-24T02:23:00.003+13:00

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2051526/RUGBY-WORLD-CUP-2011-Richie-McCaw--reason-New-Zealand-stand-brink-greatness.html
By Chris Foy 20th October 2011

When All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was asked to explain why the 2011 team are coping with World Cup pressure better than the class of 2007 did, his response spoke volumes for the impact of Richie McCaw at this tournament.

'Start with the leader,' he said. 'One difference from 2007 is that Richie has now been captain for a number of years and has grown into an outstanding leader.

Since the last global gathering in France, when New Zealand were knocked out by the hosts in the quarter-finals, the openside flanker has confirmed his place in the pantheon of the game as surely the greatest player of the professional era.

Injuries have prevented McCaw from earning a place on this year's IRB player of the year shortlist, but he won the accolade last year and the year before, as well as in 2006.

Nobody else has claimed the prestigious title more than once, but the 30-year-old has usually been a contender - appearing among the nominees seven times in 10 years.

Last month, he was acclaimed at Eden Park after the pool-stage win over France and presented with a silver cap as the first All Black to play 100 Tests. Next month, he will reach a decade of sterling service, having made his debut against Ireland in Dublin in 2001.

The landmarks keep coming, as do the plaudits. Dan Carter, the other talisman of the New Zealand team who was forced out of the World Cup with a groin tear,offered a glowing tribute to McCaw for his efforts as captain despite being hampered by a foot injury.

'Richie has been huge,' he said. 'He's been frustrated by the injury and not being able to train but his captaincy has grown to a new level at this World Cup. He's a real leader. The fact he's not been able to train but has put in the performances that he has in the games is fantastic. The guys really follow his actions

McCaw first captained his country in 2004, at the age of 23, before taking on the role full time from 2006. Since then, the All Blacks have won the Tri Nations title four times and completed two 'Grand Slam' tours of Britain and Ireland.

Judging by the words of Hansen and Carter, his deeds as a player have been matched by a grasp of effective leadership. To see the way the naturally quiet, understated character confidently addressed a crowd of 60,000 after being awarded his silver cap was to realise that he has risen to the task of acting as skipper and spokesman, figurehead and statesman.

On that memorable occasion, New Zealand head coach Graham Henry delivered a fitting tribute, saying: 'In the All Blacks Tests that I've been involved in over eight years, there's no doubt that he's No 1. He's inspirational, leads by example and is world class

The consistency of McCaw has been staggering. He is an out-and-out, specialist openside and so much more besides - a breakdown menace to opposition teams as a master tackler and poacher, who keeps putting his head where it hurts despite several bouts of concussion and health fears.

He is also a strong ball-carrier with formidable handling skills. In the finest traditions of the game's great No 7s, he has always played on the limit of the laws and often crossed them, yet his art is an ability to avoid official rebuke more often than not.

Time and time again, rival players and coaches have lamented the fact that McCaw is apparently given preferential treatment by referees, but the comments have mostly stemmed from reluctant admiration for his skulduggery.

In recent times, as the Kiwi icon has struggled with injuries, his pre-eminence in his position has come under threat from David Pocock of Australia and Wales captain Sam Warburton.
The latter had outshone McCaw at this tournament, prior to his red card against France, but when it mattered, the local favourite delivered a tour de force performance, eclipsing Pocock to help his team see off the Wallabies and reach Sunday's final.

His other triumph has been an ability to handle the weight of responsibility heaped on him.
As the leader of an All Blacks side trying to end a 24-year wait to reclaim the Webb Ellis Cup, it would have been understandable if McCaw had cracked, but he has not.

Prior to this World Cup, as excitement levels in his country were rising to a crescendo, McCaw said: 'Playing for the All Blacks at a World Cup in our own country is pretty cool. I look at it as a big privilege to be captain of the All Blacks at a World Cup and I can't wait. If we do it right and win the thing, how great would that be? There's no doubt I've thought about it.'

Those words suggested a calm, clear mind and a healthy blend of excitement and belief. Instead of hiding away from what was looming, McCaw was prepared to embrace it and the scenario he dared to consider could be about to come true.

Editorial : we are all winners

2011-10-24T01:58:00.001+13:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/opinion/5828383/Editorial-We-are-all-winners 21/10/2011

OPINION: The All Blacks are going to win on Sunday night. Right? Right.
The "boys" are going to concentrate on their game, use the skills they have been selected for and work as a team to give the country a celebration we've been working for since 1987.
No pressure.
The fan training has been hard work, too.
We will be humble winners. We will not gloat. We will not rub the salt.
If, by chance, things do not go our way, we will also be gracious runnersup. No bad comments or snarkiness. If we play well and still don't get there, we just have to accept we weren't good enough on the day and didn't deserve to win.
But even if the ABs don't come through for us, we still have heaps to celebrate. Since the opening ceremony on September 9, the Rugby World Cup has been a huge success for New Zealand.
The four weeks of pool play was more like a great big festival than a full-on sports tournament. The games were serious, but the crowds had fun. People who have never been to rugby were buying tickets, dressing up and enjoying the games. Crowds were close to capacity even for games such as Italy and Russia.
Aside from that transport glitch on day one, everything has gone smoothly, including generally good behaviour all round. At the business end of the tournament, the competition is strong and the diehard fans are loving it.
To cap it off, the organisers announced yesterday they had surpassed the target of $268.5 million in ticket sales, with more than $50 million on the final alone.
The tournament is the biggest sporting event for the country and will still cost us a tidy sum, but we always knew that would happen. The ledger is balanced by the huge boost to the national morale and the benefits from feelgood tourism.
We will be remembered as excellent hosts. The visitors might come back and, most of all, they will tell their friends what a great time they had here.
And finally, rugby is the winner. The past six weeks have lifted the game's profile more than anything for 20-odd years.
So when Richie McCaw holds that trophy aloft on Sunday night, it will be the icing on the cake. The frustrations of the past five campaigns will be consigned to the past and we will head into Christmas with a great big smile.
Play well boys – we're right behind you.

The Marlborough Express

All Blacks deny inability to change tactics

2011-09-06T08:11:00.001+12:00

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jkkHTBjEonjkMs1nsmTyniixF2_g?docId=CNG.7b82007b13c7ee6d7bdca7086e099fd0.5a1
(Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved ) – 1 day ago

WELLINGTON — Senior members of the World Cup favourite All Blacks denied that their Achilles heel was an inability to switch tactics midgame if things are not going their way.
The charge was levelled against the All Blacks when they lost to France in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup and surfaced again when they were beaten by Australia two weeks from the start of this year's tournament.

Against France, the All Blacks lost 18-20 and despite dominating territory in the closing 10 minutes they never attempted a potential match-winning drop goal because it is a weapon they rarely use and they wanted to score a try.

Captain Richie McCaw said then the drop goal was talked about but the team "always backed itself to use the ball effectively".

Their determination to run at all costs against the Wallabies saw them trail 3-20 at half-time before they faced a stern coach Graham Henry who was able to hammer home a new strategy for the remainder of the game.

In the second half, the All Blacks took a much tighter, forward-dominated approach that saw them draw level at 20-20 before Kurtley Beale clinched the game for the Wallabies with a 61st minute try, giving a final score of 25-20.

Backline commander Dan Carter said the All Blacks were aware in the first half that they needed to attack tighter through the forwards but maintained a belief their running game would work despite a high error count.

"We were coughing up too much ball, there were far too many mistakes and therefore we couldn't change our plan," he told a World Cup media conference.
"It wasn't until we regrouped at half-time and had a good chance to sit down and nail exactly how to do that.
"So we had noticed it earlier but it just took a little bit longer. We still had confidence in that first half that we could attack certain situations."

Veteran lock Ali Williams said there was also the problem of knowing when to change tack when their favoured expansive style had been a match-winner many times before.

"It's a fine line because you've still got your plan and your plan may come off in 60 minutes, so if you go changing it 40 minutes or 30 minutes into the game then you would say we lacked structure and discipline," he said.

Fullback Mils Muliaina, who is in line to play his 100th Test in the World Cup starting on Friday, said that ultimately the All Blacks paid the price for easing up at a crucial stage against Australia.
"We regrouped at half-time and came out in the second half and we collected the points and that's what we wanted to do," he said.
"Unfortunately we reached 20-all and we probably relaxed a little bit and thought 'far out we're back in the game' and that bit of relaxation got the Aussies back in the game and before you know it we were fighting again.
"So we did well to get back but we've got to be a lot better to lift another level once we've got there."

Rugby World Cup 2011: Richie McCaw inspired by earthquake to turn the rumblings into a seismic victory

2011-09-06T08:02:00.002+12:00

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/8737508/Rugby-World-Cup-2011-Richie-McCaw-inspired-by-earthquake-to-turn-the-rumblings-into-a-seismic-victory.html By Mark Reason, Wellington

Great captains win Rugby World Cups. Read their names. David Kirk, Nick Farr-Jones, Francois Pienaar, John Eales, Martin Johnson and John Smit.

There is not a vice-president among them. They were all leaders. Looking at Richie McCaw’s big, solid head, I wonder if that mineral bonce is the next to be carved into rugby’s Mount Rushmore.

McCaw is an impressive man. He is the best back-row forward of his generation, a qualified pilot, a graduate, a player of the bagpipes at his sister’s wedding. He speaks with dignity in public and never moans. Revenge is taken in deeds and not words. But not all great men are great leaders.
McCaw’s leadership has yet to survive the acid of a Rugby World Cup.

Some will say that it did not even survive the caustic soda of a Tri-Nations. When Australia were rampant in the decisive final game, where was the change of strategy, where was the warrior attitude, where was the captain?

My hunch is that McCaw and New Zealand will finally pull through. You look at the other major rugby playing nations and there are not too many colossal captains standing over their teams. McCaw looks like a big man. He has lived through the horrors of the Christchurch earthquakes and that will play its part over the coming two months.

McCaw says: “The earthquake put things in perspective. My uncle has had to move out. His place is mashed. I’ve had damage. My parents have had damage. Then you look at everyone else and we’re in a pretty good situation compared to some.

“It’s just something you have to deal with. You’ve got a city that is pretty beaten up. It will be a long time before it gets to normal. But there’s a new normal now. There are holes in streets where there used to be buildings. It will take a long time to rebuild.

“You have got to look at it positively and say we have a chance to make it better. If you run away from it and drop your head you’re never going to achieve anything. That’s the attitude you’ve got to have.” It is the attitude that New Zealand are going to take into the World Cup.
Coach Graham Henry has already identified hardship — experienced either at home or through an early round of the World Cup — as a common factor among winning teams.

It is why the All Blacks will be spending a few days in Christchurch ahead of their pool match against France. They will draw on the hardship, on the matter-of-fact heroism of the people around, to push them on. McCaw, Dan Carter, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Kieran Read; all have homes in the ruptured city. The World Cup can be part of the rebuilding process.

Many of McCaw’s words about the earthquake — “it will take a long time to rebuild” — could have been said by any of the previous losing New Zealand World Cup captains. Losing a rugby match is an unnatural disaster over here.

Brazil mourns when they are knocked out of the football World Cup. New Zealand turns in on itself when it loses at a Rugby World Cup.

McCaw says: “The two I’ve been involved in, we felt we could have played a lot better than we did in our losses. That’s the disappointing part. Hopefully our experience will help this time. You hope that when the pressure comes on you do what is required to win rather than panic. I don’t say we’ve panicked in the past, but it all comes down to one day and what has gone before is meaningless.

“When you go away from home you have a tendency to circle the wagons a bit. Whether that’s created pressure in the past, who knows. But if you don’t win, you wonder if you kept the lid on too tight.”

That lid has blown on a few occasions. After losing in the semi-final in 2003, McCaw hung around because his parents had tickets for the final.

“I don’t know why I went to the final,’’ McCaw says. ‘‘It was horrible being there. Now I’ve been to one, I wouldn’t mind going to another.”

Coach Graham Henry says: “He is one of the great captains of New Zealand rugby, up there with Wilson Whineray, Brian Lochore, Graeme Mourie, Buck Shelford and Sean Ftizpatrick. He’s a very special man.”

All those men achieved greatness through pain. Maybe it is the New Zealand way. McCaw reckons he has had a least 30 sets of stitches in each eyebrow. Concussions are commonplace. The rest of the world thinks he gets away with ludicrous degrees of cheating. The aftershocks just keep coming.

And somehow, for six weeks, McCaw has to stay above it all. He reminds me a bit of one of my movie heroes, Jimmy Stewart, another pragmatic, thoroughly decent man, from small town country. Both Stewart and McCaw became accomplished pilots.

Stewart once said: “You have a real feeling of power up there — that we human beings aren’t completely helpless, that we can be completely in command of an amazing machine, that we have some control over our destiny.
And of course, it’s the only place where one can be really alone.”

McCaw, whose grandfather flew in the Second World War, calls it “a bit of freedom.” In the next few weeks McCaw will be in command of an amazing machine with control over its destiny. He cannot be the first New Zealand captain to lose two World Cups.

The words come slowly out through the blocked torpedo tubes of McCaw’s battered sinuses: “We are pretty experienced this time. Most of us have been through at least one World Cup and we know what it takes. We have to acknowledge it’s a big tournament, rather than avoid talking about it. It’s cool and it’s coming.”

A lot of Kiwi kids follow McCaw because somehow he is different. He’s not youf, he wears a quiff from a bygone era, the oratory is not Martin Luther King — they follow because McCaw is, plain and simple, a good man.

¤Richie McCaw is a dedicated player/coach on the Rugby Site. Be part of a global rugby community and visit www.therugbysite.com now for master classes from some of rugby’s biggest names including McCaw, Dan Carter, Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Gregor Townsend.

Focused ABs squad sidesteps needling

2011-09-06T07:58:00.001+12:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5561074/Focused-All-Blacks-squad-sidesteps-needling
MARC HINTON 04/09/2011

The All Blacks are laughing off the latest claims they are the biggest cheats in international rugby.

Coach Graham Henry declared the accusations a "sideshow" the team could ill-afford to let distract them.

A column in Fairfax publications by a New Zealand-based former English writer last week created plenty of reaction when he labelled the All Blacks serial cheats who have mastered the art of infringing without being caught.

"The All Blacks cheat in spades. Half of their tries in the Tri Nations have been set up by blatant cheating," wrote Mark Reason.

But if the All Blacks were concerned by such heavy-handed accusations so close to the world cup kickoff, then they were disguising it pretty well last night as they spoke to the media following their official tournament welcome.

"I saw the headline and didn't bother reading it," Henry said. "We're used to it, I guess. It's water off a duck's back."

Asked about whether the timing of what is not exactly an original line of thinking could undermine the All Blacks at the world cup, Henry was blunt.

"It's a sideshow and we've got to concentrate on the big show and not get sidetracked," said the coach.
"If you get involved in that sort of stuff and it affects you emotionally or you take it seriously, you're not going to do the big job well.
"We ignore it and move on."

Skipper Richie McCaw, who regularly gets called a cheat by people with a lot more credibility than an itinerant journalist, was even more dismissive.

"It's the old stuff that keeps coming up. A bit of imagination wouldn't go astray," he said.

Assistant coach Wayne Smith dismissed concerns the controversy could put the All Blacks offside with referees before the event had even kicked off.

"It's not new material. We don't take it seriously," said Smith.
"I'd be very surprised if one journalist who's writing from a home base somewhere in rural New Zealand with a British passport would have any credibility at all with the referees."

Clearly the whole matter of dealing with the world cup, its peculiar ebbs and flows and the attendant pressures was of more pressing concern to a side that's come up short at the previous five tournaments.

To that end, 1987 title-winning coach Sir Brian Lochore was back in the All Blacks camp yesterday as the team looked to soak up as much of his wisdom as possible.
Lochore is no stranger to peripheral roles in New Zealand teams, having been campaign manager for Laurie Mains in 1995, and a selector with the incumbent coaches for the ill-fated 2007 campaign.

"He's had a lot of experience with Rugby World Cups, and it's great to share in that expertise," said Henry.
"He's like a kaumatua, he's our elder member," Smith added. "He's got a lot of mana that the players look up to. He's there for the players to talk to.
"As the only New Zealand coach to have won the Rugby World Cup, he's a pretty special man in this country. And he's got a lot of wisdom."

Henry said the All Blacks were "blown away" by their official welcome in Auckland yesterday, an occasion that attracted several thousand people to Aotea Square.

"To play a world cup at home with the support of our own people is something pretty special," Henry said.
"It's good to finally get it on the road."

McCaw also indicated that the All Blacks very much intended to hit the ground running in Friday's opener against Tonga.

"There's a bit of hurt from what happened seven days ago in Australia. We want to make sure this week we rectify the things we didn't get right.
"We've got to set a standard that we're happy with and keep looking to improve it."

Henry's main concern this week will be around his wafer-thin loose forward stock and just whom to pick in his back three. Cheating accusations are the least of his worries.

- Sunday Star Times

RWC 2011 Daily - 5 September

2011-09-05T23:46:00.000+12:00

Henry, Carter and McCaw welcome expectations

2011-09-04T10:19:00.001+12:00

http://www.allblacks.com/news/17344/Henry-Carter-and-McCaw-welcome-expectations
(3/09/2011)

Some may regard them as the holy trinity of All Blacks rugby, and coach Graham Henry, captain Richie McCaw and first five-eighth Dan Carter are all looking forward to the pressure and expectation of hosting the Rugby World Cup.

Since winning the inaugural tournament in 1987, the All Blacks have fallen short in the last five tournaments, including registering their earliest ever exit in France, the first time New Zealand hasn’t at least reached the semi-finals.

Notable is the fact that this time round, in the seventh quadrennial tournament, is that the coach and captain will get a second chance, something that hasn’t happened in the history of the All Blacks and Rugby World Cup.

Certainly there could not be a more illustrious trio to break a 20-year World Cup drought.

Henry has lost just 15 test matches since taking the reigns in 2004, winning a remarkable 81 internationals to boast a near 85 percent winning record.

McCaw, the most capped All Blacks captain (with the best winning percentage) played in his 98th test match against the Wallabies, and is generally regarded as arguably the best openside flanker to play the game, with his three International Rugby Board World Player of the Year awards (including last seasons) better than any other player alive.

While Carter rounds out the trio as the highest point’s scorer in test match rugby with 1,219 points (as well as being the highest scorer in Investec Super Rugby) and has played 83 test matches.Since the last World Cup, the All Blacks have won two Investec Tri Nations, kept their iron grip on the Bledisloe Cup intact, claimed two Grand Slam tours, while winning 39 of 48 test matches.

However despite their reputations and records, they will all be ultimately judged on whether or not they can claim rugby’s greatest prize.

McCaw said that the pressure the All Blacks will face at the World Cup would be the same irrespective of where it is played, but was happy it was being staged on home soil.

"Wherever the World Cup is, it's the same sort of pressure," McCaw said."I think it's just exciting. If you are going to choose all the places to play a World Cup, you're going to choose your home country. That's the way I look at it.
"It's not an easy thing to win so we are going to have to do it right. But to have your friends and family and fans to get a feel of it, too, will be pretty special."

Carter felt that while it was a intense environment, having local support made up for the extra pressure of trying to win the Webb Ellis Cup.

"The excitement of the support we have in New Zealand far exceeds the pressure and expectation," he said.
"That's why we just love playing in New Zealand.
"To have something like the World Cup in our own backyard is great and I know the players can't wait for it."

Henry has never sidestepped the pressure of being All Blacks coach, saying that the intense expectation and legacy of the team is what enabled their great success.

"One of the special qualities of New Zealand rugby is the expectations of the New Zealand public, and I don't think there is any greater expectation in rugby than the expectations on the All Blacks," Henry said. "That's why they have been so successful. They are the most successful side in the history of professional sport and that's something we should be very proud of. "What happens in the next eight weeks is going to define this team."

While Henry agreed that losing back-to-back test matches wasn’t ideal, he paid homage to the fact that in sports, teams often learnt more in defeat than they did with victories.

"Hopefully if there was any complacency in this group, it's well gone now,” he said.

Shh...please don't mention Richie

2011-09-04T10:15:00.001+12:00

http://www.allblacks.com/news/17348/Shh...please-dont-mention-Richie
Sportal.co.nz - (3/09/2011)

Thou shalt not mention All Blacks' flanker and captain Richie McCaw and his ability at the breakdown. That seemed to be the light-hearted view after England forwards coach John Wells responded to a question at a press conference about the seeming difference in treatment, from referees, at the breakdown between superstars [McCaw] and mere mortals.

"I know where you're going," Wells told the questioner. "I think he's an incredible player. He hasn't got his face on the back of every magazine I've picked up for no reason at all.

"I just think he's a very, very smart and intelligent bloke. He's been around a bit, he knows what he can and what he can't get away with.

"I would also say his penalty count in games is quite high but his ability to actually influence what happens in the breakdown is also very high.

"But he risks his arms at times. I think we'll see how the whole thing unfolds and I'm not particularly concerned as to whether he gets favouritism or not," he said.

All without mentioning McCaw's name once. In games he had seen this year Wells believed there was a level of consistency among referees in all games around controlling the breakdown.

"I think, by and large, the referees are trying to deliver a consistent approach to the breakdown. Sometimes we get it wrong, sometimes the opposition get it wrong and I think if teams go out there with a positive attacking focus on it I get the impression that as a defender you consistently flaunt the rules then you're going to get penalised these days.

"The stats support that and the word of the referees supports that," he said.

Wells said he hadn't watched a lot of Tri Nations rugby ahead of the World Cup because he had been concentrating on England's Cup warm-up games and for their first Cup game against Argentina.
Of what he had seen, South Africa was clearly experimenting, New Zealand had had a wobble but should still be regarded as the favourite while an exciting Australian team had won three games.
He said no-one enjoyed being labelled a favourite and while England had been listed as third favourite his response was in keeping with the party line of a game at a time.

"I know we've got an incredibly tough group, we've got a team that over the last three or four years has been regularly placed higher than us in the IRB rankings, that finished third in the last World Cup, that's got a number of high quality individuals and are a well-coached team in Argentina," he said. "We've also got to get around Scotland and between the three of us, England, Argentina and Scotland, we've all beaten and lost to each other in the last two years."

Wells said his experience had shown that by the time teams got to a World Cup the playing field had levelled out.

"It's an incredibly tough competition where the psychological aspects of the whole tournament play a massive, massive pre-determination of who wins and loses games," he said.

McCaw tired of cheating accusations

2011-09-04T10:01:00.001+12:00

http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsarticle=17356&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
James Mortimer - (3/09/2011)

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has asked people come up with something a little more original, as once again the script labelling his team and the mercurial openside cheats has been unearthed.

Last week an English journalist unloaded on McCaw and the world’s number one ranked team, accusing them of all manner of offences, while during the All Blacks 18-5 loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane, Fox Sports commentators consistently suggested that the visitors were flaunting the offside line.

McCaw, widely regarded as potentially the greatest exponent of openside play in rugby, has often been the target of opposition coaches, players, media and ‘experts’ in his art of playing his role to maximum effect.

Like any class number seven, McCaw’s role among others is to push the boundaries, and he has found allies with like minds – with former and current Wallabies George Smith, Phil Waugh and David Pocock all stating it is part and parcel of the fine line that a fetcher must walk in establishing himself on the field.

Last year Waugh told the Sun-Herald McCaw was smart and very quick to pick up on what he could and couldn't do.

"The quicker you get the interpretations right for the game the better you're going to perform in the game," the former Waratahs captain said."Richie's a very astute and smart rugby player who picks that up very early in the game, which allows him to push the limits. And that's what he's out there to do."

McCaw in the past has admitted you have to test the boundaries.

"I have to work out what I think is right and what he thinks is right might be different, and you have to figure it out pretty quick," he said."I always think what I am doing is the right thing to do, and if he penalises me you think, 'Jesus, I am not going to get away with that today with this ref'.
"So you have to change things a bit, and each of them is a little bit different. The knack is being able to do that. You have to weigh it up.”
"As long as I am not putting the team under heaps of pressure, you have to still be at the point of knowing what you can get away and what you can't. And the odd time, you might get it wrong."

McCaw was in Rangiora yesterday in the All Blacks nationwide visit to 11 towns, and he and Crusaders team mate Kieran Read entertained over 200 people at the band rotunda in Victoria Park.When asked by the Press what he thought of the latest accusations, the All Blacks captain replied with his typical nonchalance.

“It is just the usual isn't it?” he said.“You would think there would be a bit more bloody thought go into it than to dig up the old stuff. Look, as a team you don't get carried away with that stuff at all. We go about what we do.”
“That is always the way. You have got to know what you are allowed and not allowed to do. It would be silly to start giving away penalties or do anything stupid. It is a bit of gamesmanship to people, they like to stir things up.”

RWC 2011 Official pictures

2011-09-03T22:16:00.001+12:00

Thanks to Sian for her help

Kurow stacks up for local Cup hero McCaw

2011-09-02T07:28:00.000+12:00

http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/175835/kurow-stacks-local-cup-hero-mccaw
By Ben Guild on Thu, 1 Sep 2011

large hay bale stack bearing the image of one of Kurow's favourite sons has been erected in the township ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Locals hope the installation, depicting All Black captain Richie McCaw against the colours of each participating World Cup nation, will encourage people to stop in the town during the six-week-long tournament.

Community group member Bob Watherston described the process as a "great community effort", involving the rugby club, local businesses and various community organisations.
The bales, donated by farmer Justin Slee, were "very tight", easy to work with and were loaded and shifted by the local garage and transport company.

The New Zealand Rugby Union did its part too, working with Rugby World Cup 2011 to allow the accompanying sign to bear the tournament's name.

The tribute to McCaw celebrated "more than just a good rugby player", Mr Watherston said.
The All Black captain's success "reflected a good upbringing" in a family tree filled with generations of great farmers, he said.

Frances Slee, who completed the work in the absence of her mother, Karmen, said the painting had taken about six hours.

Some countries' colours, though, were more difficult to render than others.
"The maple leaf is really hard to do with spray paint," she said.

An exhibition of memorabilia, featuring Richie McCaw's first All Black jersey, will be displayed in the Kurow museum for the duration of the tournament.

A Phil Gard All Black jersey will also be on show.

Note to the readers

2011-08-31T23:54:00.005+12:00

Hi everybody!
How are you? The big day is coming up...

I just wanted to let you know that there may be delay in the posts during the first part of the competition (Sep 9th -> Oct 13th) as some of us are flying to New Zealand.

Feel free to comment or send us links via our FaceBook Group (click on the link -see Links section on the right )

Enjoy the World Cup!
Mary*L

Wher's the smart money in a five-horse race

2011-08-30T08:08:00.002+12:00

For a so-called Big Five, four-fifths of rugby's heavyweight brigade possess absurdly small claims to the global crown. In fact, if we didn't know better, we could be forgiven for wondering about all this fanfare for what appears to be a one-horse race.

But we do know better. Much better. That when it comes to the Rugby World Cup, the All Blacks are to success what Superman is to kryptonite.

That is to say they're rather inclined to go all weak at the knees and collapse in a bundle. The All Blacks have started every event, with the possible exception of 1995, as the warmest of favourites. Yet they've spectacularly failed to deliver when it's really counted.

The exception was 1987's inaugural event – the last time the tournament was staged in New Zealand – when the All Blacks won their only RWC title. But that was another time, when the game was still amateur, everyone else was still playing catch-up, and South Africa were still persona non grata.

Since then the All Blacks have lost one excruciating final (1995), been bundled out three times in the semifinals (1991, 1999 and 2003) and suffered one humiliating quarterfinal exit (2007, v France in Cardiff).

But what of this Big Five? Common wisdom says the cup winner must come from this group. Aside from New Zealand, it consists of Australia, South Africa, England and France. Between them, they've won all six tournaments and the only non-champion, the French, have been knocking on the door enough to deserve inclusion.

Outside of this group there are teams capable of upsetting (see sidebar), but probably not with the tools to emerge from pool play and win three straight sudden-death matches.
History, and gut-feeling, tells us that 2011's champion will come from within the game's high five, and that finally, after 24 years of futility, it could indeed be the hosts. But who stands between the All Blacks and an end to those galling choke jokes?

The bookies believe the Wallabies are the big threats. But it says something about the relative strength of global rugby when the second favourites have barely won half their matches over the four-year cycle, and had won just two of 13 matches against the All Blacks, prior to last night's Tri-Nations decider in Brisbane. But what the Wallabies have is upside – a cast of characters who are good, and getting better – and coach Robbie Deans. No one would be surprised to see them finding their best form in October, and in players like David Pocock, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor, they have their game-breakers.

South Africa have 18 members of the team that waltzed to the title in 2007, and deserve respect purely for their experience and rigid adherence to a no-frills game plan. But their form has been horrendous, there are major questions over the control wielded by their coach and, put simply, they appear to be over the hill.

So, to the north. England's records at world cups is very good, and in Martin Johnson, they have a coach who knows the way to the promised land. But you need the cattle and it's hard to see how this team can score enough points to knock off the southern superpowers.

France could be the best hope and, on their day, they have the firepower to beat anyone. But they're maddeningly inconsistent, have built precious little momentum under Marc Lievremont's at-times bizarre selection policy, and are probably going to have to find a way past England in a quarterfinal.
So, New Zealand it is. If only it were that easy.

NEW ZEALAND
Formline: This is an All Blacks' team travelling well, with oodles of experience (1133 caps at the time of selection), plenty of X-factor and a single-mindedness that bodes well. But, as they all freely admit, that means nothing at knockout time.

Key men: Er, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. Add hooker Keven Mealamu to that mix. He'll be a go-forward merchant, but has to hit his jumpers. Look for the well-rested Kieran Read to come into his own and, in the backs, you can't go past the "glue" man Conrad Smith, who holds all that talent together with his heady play.

How they'll play it: This will be interesting. Not sure they'll be quite as adventurous as the Wallabies, but width is key to the Kiwi game. New Zealand conditions could dictate, but look for a mix of percentage play, with some dash thrown in.

What it will take to win: Nerve. Simple as that. This is the best team in world rugby and should win a world cup at home. But a big moment or two will come somewhere along the way. Maybe a bad referee's call. Maybe an injury. Maybe an opponent playing a blinder. Do these All Blacks blink? Or do they just suck it up and get on with their game?

Other teams : http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/opinion/5519141/Wheres-the-smart-money-in-a-five-horse-race MARC HINTON 28/08/2011

ABs will be different beast at home

2011-08-30T08:00:00.001+12:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/5520953/All-Blacks-will-be-different-beast-at-home
JUSTIN MARSHALL 29/08/2011

OPINION: Call me mad. Dub me naive. Christen me crazy if you like.
Just don't label me panicky for I refuse to fret about the All Blacks' recent losses to South Africa and Australia.

I realise I just alienated a large chunk of you in that last sentence. Many of you will be apoplectic with rage after seeing the Blacks go down again on Saturday.

But my belief in the team is founded on the fact they are an entirely different animal at home.
I don't know why.

They just are.

I feel and wrestle with doubt too.

And if I am honest I have had my fair share of concerns in recent days.

Graham Henry spoke this week about instilling "enthusiasm" back in his side and said it was one of the reasons why he gave several of his key players rests in recent weeks.

That's why in Brisbane it was a tad distressing that the Wallabies were more energised and played with a higher level of emotional intensity.

The All Blacks weathered this onslaught and eventually gained the ascendancy but it was too little too late.

After halftime and a meeting with the coaches, remedial action was taken and the All Blacks started to commit more bodies to the breakdown.

But in many ways the All Blacks' fate was sealed before kickoff.

Robbie Deans was out-coached in Auckland but he returned the compliment with interest in Brisbane.

Deans cooked up a tasty tactical recipe and the All Blacks were unable to blunt the onslaught.
It just goes to show how important their role is going to be come late October.

Whoever has the most nimble and innovative coaching brain will have a major influence on which country has its name etched on the Webb Ellis Cup.
I still think Henry and his charges can do it.

But in recent weeks they have not helped themselves.
We talk a lot about controlling the controllables in sport. One controllable Henry let slip was picking an under-strength side in South Africa.

He should never have done that. South Africa now has its tail up, so do Australia, and the rest of the world also know the All Blacks are eminently beatable.
Perception is huge in sport.

We Kiwis always knew the All Blacks were as vulnerable as any team.
We have learned that the hard way at countless World Cups. But now France, England and Ireland do too. It's why the All Blacks now have to be a different beast at home.

Eden Park has this security blanket that envelops them and inspires them to great deeds. It seems to also bring out the worst in other sides. Again, I don't know why. It just does.
Hence as a pundit I'm fairly sanguine about the All Blacks' chances.

They did enough during the Tri-Nations – without winning it – to suggest they are ready, willing and able to create history. Now is the time then to ooze determination and intelligence; two qualities the Wallabies had in spades on Saturday night.

- The Dominion Post

Questions linger over ABs lineup

2011-08-30T07:41:00.002+12:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5527258/Questions-linger-over-All-Blacks-lineup
MARC HINTON 29/08/2011

With the World Cup now on his doorstep, it's fair to say Graham Henry has a bit to think about.
His team has just lost back-to-back matches for the first time since 2009 and head into the tournament opener on September 9 against Tonga with some major question marks hovering over them.

There's also serious injuries to loose forwards Kieran Read (ankle) and Adam Thomson (elbow) that are being assessed as you read this, with the potential for their World Cup availability to be compromised.

On top of that he has a wing - Zac Guildford - going through a confidence crisis, a public baying for him to find a place for Israel Dagg in his back three and, as if that wasn't enough, there is the whole Sonny Bill Williams three-ringed circus going on around him.

It's no wonder that as the All Blacks officially unveiled their World Cup squad for the first time on New Zealand soil today that Henry wore the look of a slightly frazzled coach.

Maybe it was due to the fact that his flight back from Brisbane didn't get in till the wee small hours of the morning. But more likely it's that the 25-20 defeat to the Wallabies at Suncorp has highlighted that he has his work cut out delivering that World Cup he's promised.

Defeats to the Springboks and Wallabies on consecutive weekend have been like double-edged swords. Not only have they highlighted the weaknesses in this All Blacks squad - at the breakdown, in the back attack and in their ability to adjust their style of play on the fly - but they've also given arguably the team's two biggest rivals a massive leg-up heading into the event.

Suddenly the Dad's Army Boks have a spring in their step - even if their success was against a severely depleted All Blacks lineup - and as for those Wallabies, well no one needs reminding how dangerous they are with a bit of confidence to go with their natural cockiness.

Yes, Henry has some thinking to do ahead of Friday's team assembly, and he reflected that today as he did the media rounds at a busy event at Auckland's Ponsonby club.

First and foremost he had no update to give on his injured loosies, with Thomson's twice-injured elbow said to be the more serious of the two. Like us all, he's awaiting word from the medical team and until such time is doing his best to "be patient". His face said that was no easy task.
Henry has gone strongly with the line that he's not overly concerned with the Tri-Nations failure as the competition has never provided an accurate World Cup form guide in the past. But that's being a bit simplistic.

The truth is the last fortnight has highlighted that these All Blacks are not as good as many presumed them to be. And that Henry may have made a serious miscalculation in leaving Hosea Gear out of his World Cup squad.

The back three suddenly look a little one-dimensional and lacking in physical impact. And given all the ball that was dropped and kicked away in Brisbane, they're a unit - for all their depth - with an identity to find.

Plus Piri Weepu and Dan Carter didn't exactly combine with full fluency, the halves pairing seriously outplayed by game-breakers Will Genia and Quade Cooper.

It also took the near full-strength All Black forward pack 40 minutes to rumble into life in Brisbane, and the sight of Richie McCaw being outgunned at the breakdown by his young rival David Pocock was a disconcerting one to say the least. Yes, they set-pieced well, and the pick-and-go stuff in the third quarter was impressive. But they were feeble at the breakdown for 40 minutes, and then at 20-20 with still 20 minutes left rather ran out of puff.

"We tried to have a focus on Rugby World Cup during the Tri-Nations, making sure everybody was right going into the tournament, and didn't quite gel," said Henry today. "I think we've learned a lot from defeat. We haven't experienced that often. It will be a good experience for us and give us an extra edge.
"I'm sure people understand that there are some very good sides in this Rugby World Cup and it's going to be highly competitive. Australia is one of them but there are three or four others as well."

Henry also had a measured response to critics who bemoaned the All Blacks' inability to change their game plan till after halftime in Brisbane. By then, at 20-3 down, many believe the adjustment to the more direct, forward-oriented game came too late.

"That's easy to talk about and harder to do," said the All Blacks coach. "You've got to have the ball to do that and we didn't have a lot of ball in the first half. We controlled the ball better in the second half, and we held on to it. We didn't hold on to it in the first half."

It seems unlikely that Zac Guildford will get another chance on the wing - All Blacks selectors tending to be unforgiving types - after his tentative display in Brisbane, and Henry must decide whether it's time to unleash Dagg at fullback where he's most effective, or simply use him to replace Guildford. Isaia Toeava and Richard Kahui are other options on the wing, and Mils Muliaina seems to be a protected species these days as he closes in on 100 test caps.
Also, given the way Gear played for Wellington on his return, you wonder whether the coach is not having a second thought or two around that decision.

All Henry will say at this stage regarding his back three is that it remains a "competitive" area.
"You've got to give the opportunity to those who are competing in those positions to cement themselves in the team. I think it's going to be constantly competitive in those back three positions."

Henry didn't want to get caught up in the brouhaha around Williams, his decision to postpone his decision on re-signing with New Zealand and noises coming out of the SBW camp that there's an "agenda" at play in his non-selection for the All Blacks.

"It's immaterial for us. He's got to sort out his own future and this is a team deal and we've just got to concentrate on 30 players playing well in this Rugby World Cup," Henry said.
"I don't think we should be distracted by those sort of things. We'll just get on with it and concentrate on playing some footy."
Henry reiterated his stance that Williams would get his opportunities during the tournament.
"What Sonny has got to concentrate on is being a great team man and playing top footy when he gets the opportunity. What's happening outside of that we haven't got control of."

- Stuff

Plenty for Graham Henry to ponder

2011-08-30T07:36:00.002+12:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5528276/Plenty-for-Graham-Henry-to-ponder
Nervous wait on injured All Blacks MARC HINTON
29/08/2011

With the World Cup now on his doorstep, it's fair to say Graham Henry has a bit to think about.
His team has just lost back-to-back matches for the first time since 2009 and head into the tournament opener on September 9 against Tonga with some major question marks hovering over them.

There's also serious injuries to loose forwards Kieran Read (ankle) and Adam Thomson (elbow) that are being assessed, with World Cup availability a doubt.

On top of that he has a wing - Zac Guildford - going through a confidence crisis, a public baying for him to find a place for Israel Dagg in his back three and, as if that wasn't enough, there is the whole Sonny Bill Williams three-ringed circus going on around him.

It's no wonder that as the All Blacks officially unveiled their World Cup squad for the first time on New Zealand soil today, that Henry wore the look of a slightly frazzled coach.

Maybe it was due to the fact that his flight back from Brisbane didn't get in till the wee small hours of the morning. But more likely it's that the 25-20 defeat to the Wallabies at Suncorp has highlighted that he has his work cut out delivering that World Cup he's promised.

Defeats to the Springboks and Wallabies on consecutive weekends have been like double-edged swords. Not only have they highlighted the weaknesses in this All Blacks squad - at the breakdown, in the back attack and in their ability to adjust their style of play on the fly - but they've also given arguably the team's two biggest rivals a massive leg-up heading into the event.

Suddenly the Dad's Army Boks have a spring in their step - even if their success was against a severely depleted All Blacks line-up - and as for those Wallabies, well no one needs reminding how dangerous they are with a bit of confidence to go with their natural cockiness.
Yes, Henry has some thinking to do ahead of Friday's team assembly, and he reflected that today as he did the media rounds at Auckland's Ponsonby club.

First and foremost he had no update to give on his injured loosies, with Thomson's twice-injured elbow said to be the more serious of the two. He's awaiting word from the medical team and until such time is doing his best to "be patient". His face said that was no easy task.

Henry has gone strongly with the line that he's not overly concerned with the Tri-Nations failure as the competition has never provided an accurate World Cup form guide in the past. But that's being a bit simplistic.

The truth is the last fortnight has highlighted that these All Blacks are not as good as many presumed them to be. And that Henry may have made a serious miscalculation in leaving Hosea Gear out of his World Cup squad.

The back three suddenly look a little one-dimensional and lacking in physical impact. And given all the ball that was dropped and kicked away in Brisbane, they're a unit - for all their depth - with an identity to find.

Plus Piri Weepu and Dan Carter didn't exactly combine with full fluency, the halves pairing seriously outplayed by game-breakers Will Genia and Quade Cooper.

It also took the near full-strength All Black forward pack 40 minutes to rumble into life in Brisbane, and the sight of Richie McCaw being outgunned at the breakdown by his young rival David Pocock was disconcerting. Yes, they set-pieced well, and the pick-and-go stuff in the third quarter was impressive. But they were feeble at the breakdown for 40 minutes, and then at 20-20 with still 20 minutes left, rather ran out of puff.

"We tried to have a focus on Rugby World Cup during the Tri-Nations, making sure everybody was right going into the tournament, and didn't quite gel," said Henry today. "I think we've learned a lot from defeat. We haven't experienced that often. It will be a good experience for us and give us an extra edge.

"I'm sure people understand that there are some very good sides in this World Cup and it's going to be highly competitive. Australia is one of them but there are three or four others as well."

Henry also had a measured response to critics who bemoaned the All Blacks' inability to change their game plan till after halftime in Brisbane. By then, at 20-3 down, many believe the adjustment to the more direct, forward-oriented game came too late.

"That's easy to talk about and harder to do," said the All Blacks coach.
"You've got to have the ball to do that and we didn't have a lot of ball in the first half. We controlled the ball better in the second half, and we held on to it. We didn't hold on to it in the first half."

It seems unlikely that Zac Guildford will get another chance on the wing - All Blacks selectors tending to be unforgiving types - after his tentative display in Brisbane, and Henry must decide whether it's time to unleash Dagg at fullback where he's most effective, or simply use him to replace Guildford. Isaia Toeava and Richard Kahui are other options on the wing, and Mils Muliaina seems to be a protected species these days as he closes in on 100 test caps.

Also, given the way Gear played for Wellington on his return, you wonder whether the coach is not having a second thought or two around that decision.

All Henry will say at this stage regarding his back three is that it remains a "competitive" area.
"You've got to give the opportunity to those who are competing in those positions to cement themselves in the team. I think it's going to be constantly competitive in those back-three positions."

Henry didn't want to get caught up in the controversy around Williams - his decision to postpone the decision on re-signing with New Zealand and noises coming out of the SBW camp that there's an "agenda" at play in his non-selection for the All Blacks.

"It's immaterial for us. He's got to sort out his own future and this is a team deal and we've just got to concentrate on 30 players playing well in this Rugby World Cup," Henry said.
"I don't think we should be distracted by those sort of things. We'll just get on with it and concentrate on playing some footy."
Henry reiterated his stance that Williams would get his opportunities during the tournament.
"What Sonny has got to concentrate on is being a great team man and playing top footy when he gets the opportunity. What's happening outside of that, we haven't got control of."

- Stuff

The right result, at just the right time

2011-08-30T07:27:00.001+12:00

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/the-right-result-at-just-the-right-time-20110827-1jfxn.html
Greg Growden August 28, 2011

As Wallabies coach Robbie Deans often says: ''It's all about timing.'' And the Wallabies could not have timed their first Tri Nations series triumph in a decade any better. What an ideal way to go into a World Cup. They head to Auckland in nine days knowing they have the measure of their No.1 opponents.

They also learnt the All Blacks don't like it if you get in their faces, stir them up and go physical - good knowledge to have when the most likely outcome is that they will next meet in the World Cup final on October 23. Deans has been stressing to his players for a long time not to treat the All Blacks like gods, because they take advantage of that inferiority complex. It revolved around attitude, and the Wallabies hardening up.

Also it revolved around not letting the All Blacks win the psychological battle by being distracted by the haka. As All Blacks finished a highly aggressive haka, the Wallabies stood their ground and stared them down.

That was the tenor of the whole night. They were suddenly their equals. Within minutes, the Wallabies were bashing anything in a black jersey, and soon Will Genia, Rocky Elsom, Radike Samo, Dan Vickerman, Stephen Moore and David Pocock were on top. Also, unlike Eden Park where they were overwhelmed up front and soon ran around in circles, the Wallabies showed greater patience, were far more direct and did not play into the All Blacks' hands.

Sure, there were some worrying moments, especially when the All Blacks rebounded in the second half, when they focused their attack to the middle of the field. But the Wallabies rallied at the right time.

The impact of this win is enormous because suddenly New Zealand are all a-jitter. The masters of messing up World Cup campaigns wanted to go into this year's tournament walking tall. Now they won't.

The Wallabies know they can back up a good win with another good win. The triumph in Durban a fortnight ago was excellent. Last night was considerably better.

Henry: Result has no relevance for World Cup

2011-08-30T07:21:00.002+12:00

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/henry-result-has-no-relevance-for-world-cup-20110826-1jde3.html
Marc Hinton August 26, 2011

Big game. High stakes. Zero World Cup relevance.
That was the simple message from All Blacks coach Graham Henry ahead of tomorrow's Tri-Nations deciding clash against the Wallabies at Suncorp.

All sorts of drums are banging around this - the last heavyweight hitout ahead of the Rugby World Cup. It's all but the All Blacks' strongest lineup, the Wallabies are well rested, confidence revived and eyeing their first Tri-Nations title in a decade. Even better, many consider this a preview to October 23's grand final at the global tournament.

But where Henry sits it's just a game of rugby. For a nice trophy. A chance to further sort a few things out in his own mind. But as a World Cup indicator, it's about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

"Frankly, if you look at history it means nothing," said the coach when asked about the, er, World Cup significance of this Tri-Nations finale.
"We played France in France before the last World Cup, won by 40-odd points, gave them a hiding, and got beaten in the quarter-final.
"It's got some significance, but I don't think it's great."

Don't get Henry wrong. He wants his team to play well. He wants to win. It's just that he won't go drawing any conclusions should said result play out.

"We'd like to win, then you have a bit more peace on Sunday. That's what this is all about," he said.
"You go into these contests, play good footy and hopefully do the business. At the end of the day does it tilt the balance in someone's favour to win the Rugby World Cup? I don't think so."

Fine. That established. And Henry didn't even mention 2003, when the All Blacks put half a century past the Wallabies in this equivalent contest, then got rolled bv them at the World Cup soon after.

But this test does have something hanging on it from an All Black perspective. They own the Wallabies, having won 11 of their last 13 contests, and would like to add one more to the win column to round off the pre-World Cup cycle.

It's also been a decade since the Wallabies have won the Tri-Nations so it can't do any harm to keep their confidence meter on the downward beat.

Then there's one or two All Blacks who have a bit to play for. Piri Weepu could be on the verge of nailing the starting halfback's spot. Zac Guildford and Cory Jane get first crack on the wings post the RWC announcement.

They'll want to aim up tomorrow night.

And the entire pack have a message to deliver at scrum time. Last week in Port Elizabeth was, frankly, embarrassing.

Never mind the absence of the heavy-hitters.

Asked about how much improvement he was seeking at scrum time, Henry declared: "Tons. We didn't scrum well in Port Elizabeth. The scrum is well aware of that. There's certainly an examination this weekend in Brisbane on the scrum."

The addition this week of prop Owen Franks and lock Brad Thorn, whom Henry nominates as the All Blacks best exponents at the power set-piece, should help. But the coach says it's a combined effort.

"Scrummaging is about eight guys being co-ordinated, not just the tighteahd side, and there's a big challenge there to get that right. That's certainly something we'd like to tick this weekend."
Meanwhile, a second head injury to Wallabies halfback and backline linchpin Will Genia on the training field yesterday has thrown an injury scare into the Australian Genia is said to be in doubt for tomorrow's match, with further assessment required today before the final call is made.

The Wallabies are promising a physical approach, and the selection of veterans Dan Vickerman and Radike Samo as part of a beefed-up pack, backs that up.

But the All Blacks are ready. They haven't lost to the Aussies in Brisbane since 1992 and have won their only two previous matches at Suncorp.

Never mind World Cup significance. The All Blacks just like beating Australians. And now's no time to change that habit.

AUSTRALIA:
Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Anthony Fainga'a, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Radike Samo, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, James Horwill (capt), Dan Vickerman, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu.
Reserves: Saia Fainga'a, Salesi Ma'afu, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Burgess, TBA.

NEW ZEALAND:
Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Piri Weepu; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Adam Thomson, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Andrew Hore, John Afoa, Ali Williams, Victor Vito, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Isaia Toeava.

Wallabies scoff at claims Test result is irrelevant

2011-08-30T07:20:00.000+12:00

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/wallabies-scoff-at-claims-test-result-is-irrelevant-20110826-1je9t.html
Greg Growden August 27, 2011

THE Wallabies have laughed off claims from All Blacks coach Graham Henry that the outcome of tonight's Test will have little or no significance over what will happen at the World Cup.

Henry, after naming his team, said it was a waste of time using the Suncorp Stadium Test as a final form World Cup guide, or as an indicator over who will play in and win the final in October.

''Frankly, if you look at history it means nothing,'' the coach said. ''We played France in France before the last World Cup, won by 40-odd points, gave them a hiding, and got beaten in the quarter-final. It's got some significance, but I don't think it's great.''

Wallabies halfback Will Genia was surprised when told of Henry's comments. The playmaker believes a win tonight will give the victors a great boost of confidence before the World Cup.

''That's obviously what he has come out and said, but I doubt that's the case. For us, we want to win the Test. There's been no mention of the World Cup in the camp this week. But we really want to win this tournament, because we haven't won it in 10 years. We're in a really unique position, because whoever wins this game wins the tournament.''

To help the Wallabies achieve that, two of Australia's most inspirational figures - Victoria Cross recipients Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith and Corporal Mark Donaldson - were involved in presenting jerseys to the players at Suncorp Stadium yesterday.
While holding Australia's highest military honour, they are also rugby players, playing occasionally with the Associates club in Perth this season.

''I feel very privileged to be one of only a few Australians who hasn't played for the Wallabies to be able to present the Test jerseys,'' Corporal Roberts-Smith said.
''It is a massive deal, and I felt very humble to have been able to do it today. I never thought I would ever be standing in the Wallabies dressing room trying to motivate them. I do play a bit, and the only thing I lack is talent.''

Meltdowns just a memory as Vickerman is picked for All Blacks clash

2011-08-26T08:56:00.001+12:00

IN RECENT weeks, Dan Vickerman virtually gave up on making the Wallabies World Cup squad. He admitted to ''meltdowns'' as he was convinced he would not recover from a stress fracture of his tibia.
But the 32-year-old Waratahs second rower who returned to Sydney a few months ago after completing his studies at Cambridge University persevered, and in the past week has been rewarded by first making the World Cup squad and then yesterday the starting XV to play the All Blacks in Brisbane on Saturday night.
For the Tri Nations decider, Vickerman will be joined in the pack by No 8 Radike Samo who will be starting his first Test since 2004, while Anthony Faingaa moves into the centres to compensate for the loss through suspension of James O'Connor. Adam Ashley-Cooper has been moved from outside centre to take over O'Connor's wing spot.

The most rousing selection involved Vickerman, especially after Wallabies coach Robbie Deans revealed the personal dilemmas the player had to overcome to regain his Test position.
Deans said when Vickerman returned to Australia near the end of the Super Rugby season he was ''quite distraught about whether he'd even be able to give it a go''.
''He had some challenges around his lower leg, and at one point it looked as if it was going to be terminal. Obviously he was pretty distraught about that,'' Deans said. ''But he is a full-on character, and adjusted the way he was training. He was essentially going too hard too early. We adjusted his load.''
This involved Vickerman being rested from some games, including not going to Durban last week for the Springboks Test.
Yesterday Vickerman was gratified the Wallabies selectors had retained their faith in him, which included an elevation from the Test bench. ''I had a stress fracture in my leg which was around for about 18 months,'' Vickerman said. ''So I had a few dark days. I was battling a bit to try and get it right. I just kept plugging through it, and had a few meltdowns here and there. But now the leg is good.''
When was the last meltdown?
''They were happening daily. But today I'm excited. I just count myself very fortunate to be back.''
The other great revival story is Samo, who at 35 thought his Test career had ended long ago.
Adding to the surprise was that just over a year ago when he wanted to return to Australia from Japan, four of the five local provinces showed no interest in him.
However Reds coach Ewen McKenzie thought he would be handy, as a replacement for the then-injured James Horwill. ''I was getting told I was a bit too old, and not quick enough to play at this level. There was only one person who believed in me and that was Ewen. He knew I could do it, so he gave me a second chance,'' Samo said.

WALLABIES
Kurtley Beale; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Anthony Faingaa, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane; Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Radike Samo, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, James Horwill (capt), Dan Vickerman, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu.
Res: Saia Faingaa, Salesi Ma'afu, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Burgess (one reserve TBA).

■ Matt Giteau has withdrawn from the Australian Barbarians match to play Canada on the Gold Coast on Friday night with a groin strain. Ben Daley and Mark Gerrard are also out.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/meltdowns-just-a-memory-as-vickerman-is-picked-for-all-blacks-clash-20110823-1j8iy.html#ixzz1W4nqTq63 Greg Growden August 24, 2011

Carter the key to All Blacks success

2011-08-26T08:42:00.000+12:00

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/rugby-world-cup/news/110825/Carter_the_key_to_All_Blacks_success
25 August 2011, 07:28

Richie McCaw may be the All Blacks captain but Dan Carter is indisputably the on-field director - a peerless pivot responsible for keeping the All Blacks at the top of the world.

Since his one-man demolition of the British and Irish Lions in the second test of the 2005 series, the 29-year-old has been widely acclaimed as the world's best number 10.

Any thoughts that an average Super Rugby season this year meant his best was behind him were quickly dispelled when the Tri-Nations series began and Carter was quickly back to his best.

He carved through the Wallabies defence, fearlessly tackled hulking South African forwards and although his kicking game deserted him against the Springboks it was back to 100 percent a week later against the Australians.

All Blacks backs coach Wayne Smith describes Carter as "a big game player and he loves the black jersey and he's a good professional. That's when you want your big players to stand up, when they're under pressure."

Chief All Blacks coach Graham Henry calls his playmaker a "special talent" while on the other side of the world, former Welsh great Neil Jenkins rates Carter as the key to the All Blacks success.

"He’s just an all-round fantastic rugby player. I don’t think he’s got a weakness in his game. If he has, I don’t think we know about it," said Jenkins.
"He just seems to go through the game unfazed. He doesn’t seem to be sweating half the time, he’s that good.
"I think he’s just an incredible rugby player and he makes the All Blacks tick."

Carter was earmarked for greatness at an early age making regional school representative teams and he experienced international rugby in 2002 at the Under 21 World Cup where he top-scored for New Zealand with 72 points.

The following year, he had his first taste of Super Rugby, playing at inside centre beside Andrew Mehrtens for the Canterbury Crusaders and a few months later was number 12 for the All Blacks outside Carlos Spenser.

Two years further on he came of age as a rugby superstar with an outstanding performance in the second test against the British and Irish Lions which he capped with two tries and kicked 23 points in the All Blacks 48-18 win.

Not surprisingly, he was named the IRB's player of the year a few months later.
Carter is seen as a complete footballer. In addition to being an astute tactician he has a strong running game, a powerful fend, defends with the tenacity of a loose forward and is an accurate goalkicker.

His World Cup record is far from stellar, however. He was not required for duty when the All Blacks lost to Australia in the 2003 semifinals and hobbled from the field with an ankle injury in the 2007 quarterfinal loss to France.

Now he wants to complete his already glowing scrapbook with the Webb Ellis Cup and has been working on drop goals to add to his point-scoring armoury.

The three-pointer he landed against Australia in early August was only his third in more than 80 tests in which he has scored more than 1 200 points, but he is working on making it a regular feature.

"You can’t avoid it. It's important, especially come World Cup time when games are so intense and tight.
"Historically, the All Blacks and myself do not take a lot of dropped goals but it's an important part of my position. I'm working away at it and building my confidence so I can bring it out when needed."

Piri Weepu starts as Henry continues changes

2011-08-26T08:15:00.001+12:00

Toby Robson August 25, 2011 - 8:36AM

Ali Williams has slid into the reserves and Jimmy Cowan out of the squad altogether as All Blacks coach Graham Henry keeps the heat on some of the most senior members of his World Cup squad.

Williams makes way for Sam Whitelock at lock, while Piri Weepu gets another start at halfback in the two most notable selections in the side to play Australia in the Tri Nations decider at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.

As expected most of the senior players who did not play in South Africa have returned to the starting XV, including captain Richie McCaw and first five-eighth Dan Carter.

The only top player unavailable was blindside flanker Jerome Kaino who has returned to Auckland as scheduled for a rest and to be with his pregnant partner.
That means a 13th test start and 22nd cap for Adam Thomson, who returns to his favoured role in the No.6 jersey.

Cory Jane and Zac Guildford get first crack on the wings with Israel Dagg given a week to recover from his huge effort in Port Elizabeth.

Veteran fullback Mils Muliaina will play his 98th test. His slow start to the test season and Dagg's eye-catching return have sparked debate about the No.15 role, but Muliaina remains an automatic selection for now.

Jane and Guildford will want to nail their chance with Isaia Toeava waiting on the bench and Dagg sure to be not far from the selectors' thoughts.

Cowan has probably been rested rather than dropped with Andy Ellis on the bench, but Weepu appears to have nosed ahead in the race for the No.9 jersey. He gets a chance to build on his strong effort against the Wallabies in Auckland and further his case for a regular start.

Williams has continued to look a fraction off his true potential through the test season to date, and Whitelock deservedly resumes his partnership with Brad Thorn.

On the bench Victor Vito will get his eighth cap and a chance to erase the memories of his last test against the Wallabies which was highlighted by a missed tackle on the blindside of a scrum that nearly cost the All Blacks the match.

John Afoa, who has had little game time due to injury is the back up prop, while Toeava heads off Sonny Bill Williams and Richard Kahui for the utility back role in the reserves.

All Blacks: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Adam Thomson, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Andrew Hore, John Afoa, Ali Williams, Victor Vito, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Isaia Toeava

The Dominion Post http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/piri-weepu-starts-as-henry-continues-changes-20110825-1jasc.html#ixzz1W4iv8QoL

The Suncorp factor leaves away team seeing dread

2011-08-26T07:15:00.002+12:00

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/the-suncorp-factor-leaves-away-team-seeing-dread-20110824-1jacm.html
Greg Growden August 25, 2011

CLEARLY the Queensland Reds' triumph in the Super Rugby final at Suncorp Stadium has made the All Blacks wary about Brisbane.

The Wallabies' great record at Suncorp is well known, having won 15 of their 18 Tests played at the ground. An impressive statistic - but something that shouldn't really bother the All Blacks, as the Wallabies' three losses there have been against New Zealand - in 1996, 2006 and 2008.

Also, the Wallabies have never beaten the All Blacks at Suncorp, with their two triumphs in the 18 Trans Tasman Tests in Brisbane occurring at Ballymore in 1992 and the Exhibition Ground in 1929.
However, All Blacks centre Conrad Smith stressed his team was uncomfortable about playing at Suncorp.

''It's a tough place to play, and the Wallabies obviously rise to the occasion here. Every time I've played here … it's always hard fought,'' he said yesterday.
''Australian teams always play a lot better at home. It just seems to be a tough battle every time you come over here.''

Admittedly, the Wallabies have a far better record at home, winning 61 per cent of their Tests in Australia compared with 45 per cent overseas, but the Suncorp aura must also have something to do with the rise of the Reds.

The Reds' ability to constantly achieve at Suncorp, especially against New Zealand provincial teams in recent seasons, is something the All Blacks are mindful of, particularly with six Queenslanders in the Wallabies starting XV, and three more on the bench.

The Wallabies line-up is basically the core of the title-winning Reds outfit.

They know that new Wallabies captain James Horwill, in his first Test as leader, will be wanting to take full advantage of the Suncorp factor, especially as it has worked so well when he has been in charge of the Reds.

Quade Cooper, Digby Ioane, Anthony Faingaa, Will Genia, Radike Samo will also be far more settled on familiar turf, as will Saia Faingaa, Rob Simmons and Scott Higginbotham when they are used from the bench.

That's why Smith and his All Blacks teammates have felt a growing rise of bravado from the Wallabies, despite them being put back in their place several weeks ago at Eden Park.

''You do sense it,'' Smith said. ''The Wallabies are a confident side. And that's why they play well, because they are confident.
''Our team is aware of that, and we know they are riding on the back of a really good Super 15.''

Added to that will be an increase in Wallabies aggression, especially as it worked in Durban against the Springboks.

''We can definitely expect a much more physical game this time around,'' Smith said. ''You can compare it to last year, where we had success early on in Christchurch, and then after a break they rethought and really should have beaten us in Sydney.
''It will be the same again.''

RWC2011 Allblacks squad

2011-08-24T07:37:00.000+12:00

RWC 2011 Visitor Information Video

2011-08-24T02:18:00.000+12:00

It's D-Day for G.Henry's squad (opinion)

2011-08-23T09:47:00.001+12:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/opinion/5489323/Its-D-Day-for-Henrys-squad
RICHARD KNOWLER 23/08/2011

In the last 48 hours Graham Henry has turned every page of that vast rugby encyclopaedia inside his 65-year-old brain.
Problems? He's had a few ahead of revealing his World Cup squad today. Does he keep Colin Slade ahead of Aaron Cruden, where does Liam Messam fit, and which wings will Henry retain?
All will be revealed at 2pm in Brisbane where the All Blacks are preparing to play the Wallabies on Saturday.
Queensland is an odd place to name the team.
The International Rugby Board squad deadline passes this week so a quirk in scheduling meant the NZRU has missed a grand marketing opportunity back home.
Henry has had selection issues – a conundrum that arose because no fringe players in the areas of loose forward, first five-eighth and wing demanded selection ahead of their peers.
Having already scribbled the bulk of his 30-man squad into his notebook during the Super rugby season, he hoped to use the four tests against Fiji, South Africa and Australia to solve the riddle.
Yet Henry was probably still trying to unravel his Gordian Knot well after the All Blacks were beaten 18-5 by the Springboks last weekend.
With nearly 13 years of international coaching experience with the All Blacks, Wales and the British and Irish Lions, Henry, along with assistants Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen, shouldn't have been short of ideas.
Is Slade up to tier-one test standard as Dan Carter's backup or should a punt be taken on the resurgent Cruden?
Has No8 Messam – the fallback option if Kieran Read was injured – done enough to defend his place ahead of Victor Vito, who must have been in contention to usurp him after strangely being carried to South Africa?
Questions also remain whether the All Blacks can enter the global tournament without a backup fetcher to openside flanker Richie McCaw after Heinrich Brussow's success at the breakdown in Port Elizabeth.
Is Adam Thomson the right McCaw wing man if the great No7 is injured, or do Matt Todd or Luke Braid get rushed in at late notice? And where does swingman Jarrod Hoeata fit in all of this if the fit-again Anthony Boric is considered among the second-row candidates?
Which of the wings – Sitiveni Sivivatu, Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford and Isaia Toeava – will be culled? None have shamed themselves, far from it, but a couple of them will get the selection bullet.
Nervous times for everyone, then; not least for the unlucky players who have probably already been plonked in a hotel room and told to take a hike. This is a ruthless business.
First, Henry had to assess whether Slade deserved to be rejected after being given a hellish assignment in Port Elizabeth. Hours earlier Cruden produced a magical display against Waikato for Manawatu. But performing in the ITM Cup is a doddle compared with fronting against a motivated Boks in the republic.
Not that Slade helped himself. He will be disappointed with his showing following a game dotted with errors – missed kicks, charge downs, poor passes – that overshadowed his brave running game.
Logic suggests Slade should be safe. He has been embedded in the All Blacks for the last six weeks, knows everything about their strategies for the World Cup and their battle plans. To ditch him now and go with Cruden may be unfair on both parties.
In assessing his wings Henry needs soldiers who can negate opponents' tactics which, like the Springboks last weekend, will involve a repetitive kicking game on the dewy, slippery New Zealand pitches.
So who to punt from his outside backs? Maybe it is easier to say who is safe: utility men Richard Kahui and Isaia Toeava are expected to be certainties and Israel Dagg should join Mils Muliaina at fullback.
That makes Cory Jane, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Hosea Gear and Zac Guildford among those at risk of an early exit. The experience of Jane and Sivivatu, and their ability to rise on the test stage, could prove the difference.
One of the unluckiest is expected to be Wyatt Crockett who will probably be jettisoned for 75-test veteran Tony Woodcock, unless Henry decides to carry two specialist loosehead props – an unlikely prospect.

- The Press

Henry backs All Blacks to come good when it matters

2011-08-23T09:31:00.002+12:00

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/henry-backs-all-blacks-to-come-good-when-it-matters-20110821-1j48x.html
Duncan Johnstone August 21, 2011 South Africa 18 New Zealand 5

PORT ELIZABETH: The All Blacks might have lost to a pragmatic Springboks team but coach Graham Henry is adamant his free-wheeling approach is still the best World Cup tactic for New Zealand and he will ask his top team to prove that this weekend in Brisbane.

MATCH STATS

The All Blacks will take on the Wallabies for the Tri Nations title on Saturday, and Henry wants a victory to regain momentum on the eve of rugby's global showpiece.

He believed it was execution rather than tactics that cost the All Blacks here, as the previously winless Springboks emerged with some much-needed confidence.
Ultimately it was a victory for conservatism over adventurism, with Morne Steyn kicking all of the Springboks' points, and the All Blacks only managing to get Richard Kahui across the line while blowing several clear chances.
Henry and his adversary, Peter de Villiers, have opposite views on which is the best tactical approach with the World Cup less than three weeks away.

"It's just you have to take the opportunities you create from that game, and we didn't do that today," Henry said. "One or two guys coming in with more experience may have converted those opportunities into points, who knows?"
Henry said the superstars who were left in New Zealand - nine players headed by skipper Richie McCaw and Dan Carter - would front the Wallabies in Brisbane and look to rediscover the magic with which they dominated the Aussies a fortnight ago at Eden Park.
''All of those guys will be available for selection, and most of them will play. We have to regain momentum if we can, and that Brisbane Test is pretty important both for the Tri Nations and for the Rugby World Cup," he said.

Henry's report card on his back-up back line would read an A for effort but a C for execution. "I think as you saw from the game, we created a lot of opportunities to do the business … We probably got a bit frenetic at times. We were playing the game at a high pace and we needed to settle that down a bit,'' he said.
''But when you have a lot of young guys who haven't played a lot of Test matches, that's the result you get.
"But I'm pleased they tried so very hard. They [South Africa] didn't score a try, and didn't look like scoring a try. We scored one, and looked like scoring six. That's the frustration."

It certainly wasn't frustrating de Villiers that for the second match in succession his Springboks had failed to cross the try line.
"There are no bonus points at the World Cup," he said. "We got into their half and created opportunities to score penalties. That's exactly how World Cup rugby is played. This team can go on from here."

SOUTH AFRICA 18 (Morne Steyn 5 pens drop goal) bt NEW ZEALAND 5 (Richard Kahui try) at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Referee: George Clancy (Ire). Attendance: 47,000.

Blame lack of maturity not TMO for loss, says Henry

2011-08-23T09:13:00.001+12:00

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/blame-lack-of-maturity-not-tmo-for-loss-says-henry-20110821-1j4hi.html
Duncan Johnstone August 21, 2011

Coach Graham Henry was blaming his All Blacks' inadequacies rather than the TMO's error for today's Tri Nations loss against the Springboks.

The makeshift All Blacks created plenty of opportunities but only took one of them as they succumbed to Morne Steyn's boot 18-5.

Henry was left ruing several clear scoring chances that went begging while Steyn monotonously piled on the points with five penalties and a dropped goal to secure the Boks' only win of the tournament and some blessed confidence ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Three chances weren't capitalised on in a frenetic first stanza of the game as the All Blacks backs produced some electric play but couldn't finish their breaks.
They trailed 15-5 at the interval with Richard Kahui having finally crossed the line just before halftime.

The All Blacks legitimately scored a try just after the restart when fullback Israel Dagg, who had an exciting return to the test arena, broke free with a 45m dash but was caught just short of the tryline. He popped the ball up to halfback Jimmy Cowan who scored in the corner.

But TMO Johan Meuswesen, a local school teacher who was a late replacement for the job, ruled that Dagg's pass had gone forward, ignoring the fact that he is only allowed to adjudicate on the actual grounding of the ball - where there was no issue.

Henry wasn't kicking up a fuss, believing the decision, while outside the laws, was within the spirit of the game.

"If it was a forward pass, it shouldn't have been a try," Henry said matter-of-factly.
"If the officials can make good decisions on the evidence they have got, why not? I know it's outside the laws of the game - they should only adjudicate over the goal line. But I haven't got a problem with it.
"That was the reality - it wasn't awarded. I don't know if it was a forward pass or not. I asked Israel Dagg after the game and he reckoned it was 50-50. If we were on the receiving end and South Africa were disallowed a try because it was a forward pass, we would be happy about that."
It was still a telling decision. Had the All Blacks been awarded the try and got their tails up, who knows what might have happened? In the end another Steyn penalty was the only scoring act in a bruising second half.

But Henry said the All Blacks' problems were their own making.
"We created probably six opportunities to score and we converted one of them so that was frustrating," he said.

He put that down to the youngsters involved in the new-look backline who were awarded starts in the absence of the stars, with many of them having their World Cup jobs on the line.

"We just lacked a wee bit of maturity just to be patient and build the game to score from those opportunities.
"We have been there before so I think there is a big learning there again."
Henry said the Springboks deserved credit from a match that was played at a furious pace and was characterised by some massive defence by both teams.
"They took their opportunities well, kicked their goals and did the business," Henry said of the Boks' traditional approach that saw them kick for territory and then kick for goals once they had forced errors from the All Blacks.
"They played with a lot of physicality and passion and outplayed us on the day. They scrambled in defence very well."

Boks coach Peter de Villiers was naturally delighted to get a result to ease some pressure on himself and his side.

"It was just reward," de Villiers beamed.
"To get a result like this on the scoreboard means people start believing in what you do. Tonight's game was a great learning curve for us. We scrummed well and looked great going forward and our lineout was outstanding."

Skipper Victor Matfield agreed: "We felt the pressure before this test. Three losses in a row wasn't easy and people were doubting us as well. There's still a lot of improvement required. But we needed this for the fans ... everyone needed it."

The All Blacks now head to Brisbane to play the Wallabies for the Tri-Nations title on Saturday.
Both the All Blacks and Springboks will name their World Cup squads on Tuesday.
Henry said that remained a big job and he and Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen were facing a busy night reviewing this performance to make their last-minute choices.

Fairfax Media

Loss to Springboks just a blip on World Cup radar for men in black

2011-08-23T07:21:00.000+12:00

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/loss-to-springboks-just-a-blip-on-world-cup-radar-for-men-in-black-20110821-1j4u8.html
August 22, 2011

There's no need to panic so close to the ultimate test, writes former All Black Justin Marshall.
I know, I know. The All Blacks lost to South Africa only a few days before the World Cup kicks off and, yes, that game looked, felt and probably smelt eerily the same as to how the final will play out.

But my big message is do not - under any circumstances - panic and to keep calm and carry on.
Sure, the Springboks played their conservative kick-and-accumulate rugby and comfortably blitzed New Zealand in a Test of white-hot intensity, a la a World Cup final.

Sure, New Zealand stuck steadfast (at times blindly) to their expansive game plan and lost. And, as a result, some of you will be asking, ''When are we going to learn from history?'' and, ''When are we going to take a leaf out of Morne Steyn's playbook and drop-kick goals, and educate our collective boots and opt for field position'' while playing tight Tests.

It's a good argument.

Yet, despite all that, I'm feeling sanguine about our World Cup chances, and, if anything, that's been enhanced by what I saw, even though I hated the fact the All Blacks lost in Port Elizabeth. Call me an optimist, they played well below their best and still could have easily won that game had a couple of passes stuck and a call from the referee and his assistants gone their way.
And that's why Graham Henry and his players must resist any urge to rewrite their game plan and remain as committed as ever to what has served them so successfully in between World Cup years.

When they inject Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Brad Thorn and Mils Muliaina (to name a few) back into the side, all that experience and influence will be far better equipped to face a Springboks side should they find themselves 9-0 down in the final.

They will not make the same mistakes their more inexperienced deputies did in Port Elizabeth. I have a gut feeling that the top All Blacks feel as if they have this type of game covered. That if they keep their heads cool and execute the opportunities that are plentiful in this expansive game plan, the results will definitely follow.

I also liked a couple of performances, notably Israel Dagg's.

The selectors now have the kind of headache others dream of when they reveal all tomorrow. Some damn good players are going to miss out. But do not panic. Keep the faith. Carry on. It's too damn late to change anything anyway. But nor do we need to.

Mealamu to call on McCaw for some tips on how to beat the Boks

2011-08-19T08:14:00.000+12:00

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/mealamu-to-call-on-mccaw-for-some-tips-on-how-to-beat-the-boks-20110817-1iyao.html Duncan Johnstone August 18, 2011

PORT ELIZABETH: Stand-in All Blacks skipper Keven Mealamu plans to call Richie McCaw for a few pointers to plotting a victory against the Springboks this weekend, which he says would be ''a huge achievement''.

Mealamu has been handed the captaincy for the Tri Nations test here on Saturday night while regular leader McCaw and eight other leading players are rested back home.

It leaves Mealamu in charge of a makeshift team to tackle a desperate Boks side. Some would class it as a hospital pass, but the ever positive Mealamu saw it as not only a mighty challenge, but also a realistic one.

He will enlist any help he can get from near and afar. Asked if he had sought any advice from McCaw, he said: ''Not yet, but I plan on having a talk to him before the week is over. There's nothing wrong with getting a few tips from a good captain so I'm looking forward to that conversation.''

Mealamu leads the Test side for the second time, having secured a win over Scotland in Edinburgh during the 2008 grand slam tour. This, he admitted, was a tougher assignment.

''I think it would be pretty huge for this side,'' he said of toppling the Boks on African soil. ''Although we have got a lot of experience, we are missing quite a few familiar faces so I think it would be a huge achievement for us to go out and do that.
''I still realise the situation that is ahead - they are a side that is hurting at the moment because they haven't been able to get across the line with some wins. That just adds to the pressure of making sure we play well at the weekend.
''But I have real belief in this side. I think we still have quite an experienced forward pack, guys that have played together for a bit.
''As the week goes on, it's a matter of making sure we get a good connection with our backs. Obviously there are a few new combinations there with our midfield and back three. But they are very talented, and if we can bring that together, it will go a long way towards the weekend performance as well.''

An All Blacks win would certainly send shockwaves through an already shaky Boks camp.
Mealamu is right about his pack - props John Afoa and Tony Woodcock will make their first starts of the season but boast 106 caps between them. Every other forward has had a decent run this season.

It's the back line where some questions will be asked although its attacking potential is enormous. Winger Isaia Toeava and fullback Israel Dagg are coming back from lengthy injury spells to get a chance; there's a new but grunty midfield in Sonny Bill Williams and Richard Kahui, and the direction is in the hands of rookie Colin Slade in a true test of his navigation skills.
The All Blacks bench could feature two halfbacks with the need to have Piri Weepu covering Slade.

New Zealand face a Springboks side that has made five changes from the team beaten 14-9 by the Wallabies last week. But they still boast 658 caps in the starting XV and a further 312 on a bench that features five forwards in an obvious pointer to the South African intentions.

Pat Lambie takes over from the injured Francois Steyn at fullback, Morne Steyn's kicking qualities are preferred to Butch James's more rounded game at inside-centre, and hooker Bismarck du Plessis, loosehead prop Gurthro Steenkamp and blindside flanker Willem Alberts expand the proportions of a massive pack.

Mealamu has no doubt the changes will make the Boks more competitive at the scrum where they were surprisingly vulnerable against Australia.

Boks bench Smit for All Blacks Test

2011-08-19T08:12:00.000+12:00

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/boks-bench-smit-for-all-blacks-test-20110817-1iwum.html August 17, 2011

PORT ELIZABETH: South Africa dropped veteran captain John Smit to the bench on Tuesday amid five changes to its starting line-up for Saturday's Tri Nations Test against defending champions New Zealand.

Smit was replaced by Bismarck du Plessis, while lock Victor Matfield will captain the team for the 16th time in his 107th Test.

Fullback Patrick Lambie, flyhalf Morne Steyn, flanker Willem Alberts and prop Gurthro Steenkamp were also called into the 15 for the Springboks' final game before the start of their World Cup defence next month.

South Africa is 0-3 in this year's Tri-Nations and in danger of going through the tournament winless for the first time.

Butch James, Danie Rossouw, Tendai Mtawarira and Smit - who all started in last weekend's 14-9 defeat by Australia - were named on the bench by coach Peter de Villiers.
Lambie replaces Frans Steyn, who was ruled out against the world No.1-ranked All Blacks in Port Elizabeth with a hamstring injury.

Smit left the field against the Wallabies with an elbow injury and was also struggling with a cold before the All Blacks Test. De Villiers said it was always part of the Boks' World Cup planning to rest the 34-year-old hooker for the final game of the Tri-Nations after he started all three previous matches.

"This is our last chance to look at certain combinations before the Rugby World Cup," De Villiers said. "We've had these changes in mind since we started our planning for the international season, depending on the injury situation."

Alberts, Bismarck du Plessis and Steenkamp make their first starts of the year. In changes to the bench, loose forward Ashley Johnson and prop CJ van der Linde were called in after missing out against Australia. Jean Deysel and Gerhard Mostert were dropped from the 22.
South Africa's defeat to the Wallabies in Durban was the under-fire world champion's eighth loss in their past nine Tri-Nations matches.

South Africa: Patrick Lambie, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Willem Alberts, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield (capt), Bakkies Botha, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp.
Reserves: John Smit, Tendai Mtawarira, CJ van der Linde, Danie Rossouw, Ashley Johnson, Francois Hougaard, Butch James.
AP

Steyn out of Boks team to play All Blacks

2011-08-19T08:11:00.000+12:00

August 16, 2011 http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/steyn-out-of-boks-team-to-play-all-blacks-20110816-1ivj6.html

A hamstring injury has ruled South Africa fullback Francois Steyn out of the Tri Nations rugby Test against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Steyn sustained the injury during the 14-9 loss to Australia in Durban last Saturday.
Gio Aplon is the obvious choice to replace 2007 Rugby World Cup winner Steyn although exciting 20-year-old Patrick Lambie, one of three late additions to the squad, has worn the number 15 jersey with distinction at provincial level and could get the nod.

Better news for South Africa coach Peter de Villiers is that loose forward Juan Smith is to play for Free State Cheetahs in a Currie Cup fixture against Mpumalanga Pumas on Saturday.
Smith, another 2007 World Cup winner in France, has been sidelined for most of this year with an achilles injury sustained in Super Rugby and is considered a certain starter at the World Cup in New Zealand next month if fit.

South Africa conditioning coach Neels Liebel confirmed that the elbow injury of captain and hooker John Smit is not serious after weekend reports claimed it could rule him out of the World Cup.

The coach has hinted that he may rest 105-cap Smit and give long-time understudy Bismarck du Plessis a chance in the last Test South Africa play before launching the World Cup title defence on September 11 against Wales in Wellington.

The clash with fierce rivals New Zealand represents the fourth and last chance for South Africa to win a Test this year ahead of the World Cup after two losses to the Wallabies and one to the All Blacks in the southern hemisphere championship.

While the away losses in Sydney and Wellington were expected after De Villiers sent a virtual 'B' team because 21 Springboks were nursing injuries of varying seriousness, the defeat of a largely first-choice team in Durban was a bitter morale blow.

South Africa surrendered control after leading 6-0 at half-time and supporters of the team are becoming increasingly concerned whether a vastly experienced but underperforming side can become the first country to successfully defend the world title.

"We were not happy losing to Australia but did a lot of things right in the Test -- small things we have really been working hard on -- and that was good. This weekend we have to be even better in our execution," a forever upbeat De Villiers told reporters on Monday.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry, who has rested fly-half Dan Carter and flanker and captain Richie McCaw and several other key players for the first Test between the countries in Port Elizabeth since 1970, will announce his team on Thursday.

AFP

Last test chance for recovering All Blacks

2011-08-19T07:36:00.001+12:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5469864/Last-test-chance-for-recovering-All-Blacks
DUNCAN JOHNSTONE 18/08/2011

The All Blacks selectors have stuck to their word and handed a team of medical miracles a last-gasp chance to prove their World Cup worth in this weekend's Tri-Nations test against the Springboks.

Fullback Israel Dagg (thigh), wing Isaia Toeava (hip), centre Richard Kahui (hamstring) and loosehead prop Tony Woodcock (foot) play their first tests of the year.

All face major examinations of their performance after lengthy injury absences.

Loosehead prop John Afoa gets a rare start and he is also coming back from an injury scare after fracturing a cheek bone in the Wellington test against the Boks.

Sonny Bill Williams is handed his first run-on role of the season

The bench has an unusual shape to it. All three halfbacks brought to South Africa are involved - Jimmy Cowan starts while there is the necessity to have both Andy Ellis and Piri Weepu on the bench with Weepu covering No 10.

Wing Zac Guildford, prop Wyatt Crockett and senior midfielder Ma'a Nonu are the players to miss out.

Crockett and Nonu were only really travelling as injury cover but this might not be a good sign for Guildford's World Cup hopes. Cory Jane's versatility has given him the other backline bench role.

This test is not just about players proving their fitness and showing the spark that has made them All Blacks regulars in the past though.

There are examinations in other areas as well.

As expected Adam Thomson is handed the responsibilities at No 7 in the absence of regular skipper Richie McCaw.

It's a huge assignment for Thomson who has produced strong performances in the other two back row positions this year. A solid effort here will secure his cup berth and make him the ideal bench man once the heavyweights return.

Similarly No 8 Liam Messam gets his third involvement of the year, matching his athletic game against the bruising approach of the Boks loosies.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said the All Blacks had had a great build-up in Port Elizabeth and the team was feeling refreshed and raring to go.

"There is excitement across the board in the squad and every player will be looking to put in a big performance this weekend. Playing the Springboks at home is always a massive occasion and with Rugby World Cup spots also up for grabs, our players will be looking to put in a big performance.
"We know we will also be facing a wounded Springboks side who will want to bounce back from their three losses on the trot so we will have to be ready for a huge physical contest."

All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava, Richard Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (c), Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Jarrad Hoeata, Victor Vito, Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu, Cory Jane.

All Blacks rest Dan Carter and Richie McCaw in Tri-Nations

2011-08-19T07:31:00.001+12:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/14572067.stm
Thursday, 18 August 2011

New Zealand have rested star names Dan Carter and Richie McCaw for Saturday's Tri-Nations game against South Africa.
Colin Slade replaces Carter at fly-half and Adam Thomson fills in for McCaw on the flank as coach Graham Henry gives players a shot at the World Cup squad.
Full-back Israel Dagg and utility back Isaia Toeava both start after leg injuries while prop John Afoa has recovered from a fractured eye socket.

Richard Kahui and Sonny Bill Williams form the centre partnership.

New Zealand: I Dagg; I Toeava, R Kahui, S B Williams, H Gear; C Slade, J Cowan; T Woodcock, K Mealamu (capt), J Afoa, S Whitelock, A Williams, J Kaino, A Thomson, L Messam.
L Messam, A Thomson, J Kaino, A Williams, S Whitelock, J Afoa, T Woodcock. Replacements: A Hore, B Franks, J Hoeata, V Vito, A Ellis, P Weepu, C Jane.

Greatest Rugby World Cup XV statistics: It's an Anglo-All Black pack

2011-08-19T07:07:00.003+12:00

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/greatestxv/8706520/Greatest-Rugby-World-Cup-XV-statistics-Its-an-Anglo-All-Black-pack.html

Tom Barclay
1:20PM BST 17 Aug 2011

Australian John Eales is the only non England or New Zealand forward to make the most-picked pack in the latest statistics for the greatest Rugby World Cup XV selections.
It seems the voters find England and New Zealand forwards to be the best in world rugby, as Richard Hill and All Black pair Richie McCaw and Zinzan Brooke make up the most-selected pack.
We already went through the most voted-for front five, with a front row of Jason Leonard, Sean Fitzpatrick and Phil Vickery supported by locks Martin Johnson and Eales.

That caused controversy as great players like Springboks' duo Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield failed to make the team, and, with the pack now complete, it appears Wallaby hero Eales is the only non England or New Zealand player to be most picked in his position.
Of course, this could all change with plenty of time left for people to make their selections before the start of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Telegraph experts Brian Moore, Brendan Gallagher and Mick Cleary have selected their greatest Rugby World Cup XV, now it's time for you to select yours.

Should the two selections match, then you will be in with a chance of going to the 2011 Rugby World Cup final in Auckland, courtesy of Toshiba.
The back row: current standings

Blindside flanker:
Predictably, Richard Hill (76%) is dominating this position – but then he did have a major impact on England’s 2003 World Cup-winning campaign when returning from injury.
South Africa’s Ruben Kruger (12%) is next, possibly due to his match-saving tackle against France in the 1995 World Cup. Australia’s Simon Poidevin (7%) and try-scoring All Black Alan Whetton (5%) make up the numbers.

Openside flanker:
Selectors have sparked controversy at openside flanker, favouring Richie McCaw (64%) over experts’ favourite Michael Jones (28%).
Australia’s George Smith (5%) and England’s Peter Winterbottom (3%) look rank outsiders.

Number 8:
All Black legend Zinzan Brooke (60%) is way ahead of another All Black legend in Wayne Shelford (20%). Once again, this has gone against the experts’ general consensus.
England hero Lawrence Dallaglio (18%) gets a healthy showing, while Samoan Pat Lam (2%) has tickled a few selectors’ fancy.

Match the expert’s Greatest Ever World Cup XV to win a trip to the Rugby World Cup 201 Final in New Zealand. To enter, go to telegraph.co.uk/greatestxv

Wallabie still a threat despite Eden Park loss

2011-08-12T03:51:00.002+12:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5402858/Wallabies-still-a-threat-despite-Eden-Park-loss
MARC HINTON 07/08/2011

The All Blacks midfield and loose trio were lauded, while a rare Piri Weepu start at halfback received more of a mixed response in the wake of the commanding victory over the Wallabies last night.

The New Zealanders produced a top-notch display to stun the confident Wallabies with a performance that not only secures the Bledisloe Cup, but raises serious doubts about the Australians' chances of doing anything special come the global gathering in September and October.

On the strength of this match there is still a large gap between the two sides, and the Australians are going to have to overcome the mental aspect of so many defeats to the New Zealanders on Eden Park.

But for now the All Blacks are content to reflect on confirmation that several of their key men are coming into some timely form.

Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith combined beautifully in the New Zealand midfield, with backs coach Wayne Smith later singing their praises.

"They're both special players," said Smith. "The characteristic I like about them most is the bigger the game, the better they get.. That's what defines great players.
"What they did tonight was massive. They had a big influence on the game and I'm sure they'll be happy."

Forwards coach Steve Hansen was similarly buoyant about the display by his loose trio.
"I thought all three had special games. Jerome Kaino imprinted himself on various Australians with his defence, Reado (Kieran Read) carried well and Rich (McCaw) just does what Rich does - a bit of everything and he does it very well.
"The thing that pleased me is they're working in tandem. That combination now has become one of the best if not the best in the world."

Weepu also looked good at halfback, though coach Graham Henry added a qualifier to a promising display.

"He started well, didn't he," said Henry. "I think he probably ran out of a bit of petrol later on which he'll get better at as time goes on. He's a quality player and he created early. He just needs to create for longer."

Hansen admitted to worries over loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett's scrum penalties.. "It is an ongoing concern if that's going to keep happening," he said.

Henry also praised the "maturity" of his side, taking a clear dig at suggestions made this week that these All Blacks might be a little past their best.

"Our guys played very professionally," said Henry. "Their defence was outstanding, and they showed their maturity out there. Experience at this level is very important and the guys showed that experience tonight."

Meanwhile, Owen Franks had barely caught his breath after an outstanding night's work for the All Blacks at Eden Park than there he was putting an immediate dampener on any World Cup hysteria.

The New Zealanders had just picked apart the Wallabies with almost ridiculous ease on the ground where they will play all their knockout matches in the upcoming global tournament.
Many believe the Wallabies are their biggest threats.

But still Franks was not giving any credence to this victory beyond its obvious ramifications. The Bledisloe Cup is now retained another year and that's 12 straight victories over the Australians on Eden Park in a run stretching back 25 years. Under Deans the Wallabies are now a woeful 2-11 against the All Blacks.

"It is a good win and that's about all it is," said Franks after a big night back after his fortnight on light duties. "Every game is a separate game. To think about the World Cup, that's a totally different challenge.
"It's good to win, but that's all it is."
Franks, though, was rapt that the big trophy was tucked away for another year.
"When I was growing up I saw it in the Aussies' hands quite a few times, so being able to retain it is awesome."
Franks called the free-flowing test an "intense, fast and physical" encounter and he felt the Aussies proved worthy adversaries.
"It wasn't like we got our tries easily. They were really well-worked tries. They had a lot of ball and we shoved them out pretty well with our defence. Everyone worked really hard which was nice."

Franks felt the scrums had been a "good contest" but felt the All Blacks "got the outcomes we wanted" from their own put-ins.
And in terms of his own performance levels after missing the last two matches, Franks gave himself a cautious pass mark.

"I feel good, I was definitely puffing around the middle of the first half, but I felt pretty good in the second half. I was maybe a little bit sloppy towards the end of the second half, but overall I was happy with my first game back."

ABs Eden Park test player ratings

2011-08-12T03:47:00.002+12:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5404651/All-Blacks-Eden-Park-test-player-ratings
TOBY ROBSON 08/08/2011

OPINION: How the All Blacks rated after their test against Australia at Eden Park on Saturday night.

Mils Muliaina 5 Still not back to his best just yet. Solid rather than spectacular and didn't get near Digby Ioane when the wing scored his try.

Sitiveni Sivivatu 7.5 Playing like his World Cup hopes depend on it and they do. Popped up all over the field in attack and on defence and showed great speed to finish Conrad Smith's break.

Conrad Smith 8.5 This was Smith at his very best. Totally committed in defence in cover and the frontline and alert on attack grabbing intercepts and swooping to set up Sivivatu's try.

Ma'a Nonu 8 Nonu sucked up defenders, sapped their energy with ball in hand. Workrate was top drawer in support, defence and at the breakdown.

Hosea Gear 5.5 Play never really went his way. One nice counter-attack after taking a high ball, but will need to get more involved in his next outing as the selection crunch intensifies.

Dan Carter 8 The world's best 10 is nearing his 2005 form as he dictates the direction and pace of play. Decision-making in Auckland was nearly flawless.

Piri Weepu 8 One of his best tests, Weepu was a menace to the Wallaby defence as he sniped around the blind of rucks and scrums to great effect. Offers more than his rivals.

Kieran Read 7.5 Huge workrate as usual chasing kicks and covering in the backfield with some strong defence to boot.

Richie McCaw 8 This was more like it. After two quiet tests, McCaw was everywhere at Eden Park. Defensively superb and outdid David Pocock at the breakdown.

Jerome Kaino 8 Who would run towards the blindside in defence? Set the tone with his early hit on Kurtley Beale and got stronger from there on.

Ali Williams 7 Some strong tight work and some big hits, another incremental improvement from the big lock, but still some fumbles at lineout time.

Brad Thorn 7 Does a lot of unseen work up front and priceless leadership to the pack.

Owen Franks 8 Massive defence is starting to punctate the prop's game. Just ask Rocky Elsom who made the error of running straight at the prop during the second half.

Keven Mealamu 6.5 Looked slightly short of game time, but still good enough and a nicely taken try to boot. Some lineout issues to iron out.

Wyatt Crockett 6 Might have run out of puff after two huge tests to start the season. Not quite as dominant as he could have been at scrum time.

Reserves:
Ben Franks Good impact with half an hour to go. Continuing a strong vein of form.

Colin Slade Out of position on the wing at a time when the game was getting messy. Won't have done him any harm. Andrew Hore Solid cameo. Looks to be enjoying himself again.

Sam Whitelock Unlucky not to be starting, but didn't see too much action during his 15 minutes.

Sonny Bill Williams Probably wondered why he didn't go on when Sivivatu came off, but got involved as much as he could in 12 minutes at second five-eighth.
Adam Thomson Only 10 minutes, but busy when he was out there.

- The Dominion Post

Adidas apologises over All Blacks jersey pricing scandal

2011-08-12T03:46:00.000+12:00

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/adidas-apologises-over-all-blacks-jersey-pricing-scandal-20110811-1injl.html
August 11th.

Global sportswear giant adidas has folded and apologised to New Zealanders for trying to force rugby fans to fork out top dollar for the new All Blacks jersey.

In a public relations disaster, the German firm has been stoically sticking to its high cost price for the Rugby World Cup replica jersey, leaving retailers with little choice but to sell them for $NZ220 ($A176) each.

This was despite complaints from fans, top politicians, retailers and rugby greats.

The company's popularity slid further this week when it ordered two overseas websites to stop shipping its considerably cheaper jersey to New Zealand.
Adidas did a u-turn on Thursday, apologising and saying sales would resume on all websites.

"We understand that our people are annoyed about the two sites and we understand that there are dozens of other sites people can buy from," the company's New Zealand manager, David Huggett, told Newstalk ZB.
"The last 11 days have been pretty tough and first of all I want to apologise to you and all the listeners for the distraction this topic has created and for what should really be a perfect build-up, leading into the Rugby World Cup."
In hindsight "we would reconsider our strategy," he admitted.
However, the company still refuses to lower its wholesale price, saying it believed the price was "absolutely fair and reasonable".

The manufacturer has also cancelled a large-scale glitzy event planned in Auckland tonight.
The "Black is Beautiful" event, involving hundreds people, including top celebrities and sports stars, was postponed in "light of serious customer issues currently before us".

AAP

All Blacks show scant respect for Australia's attacking options

2011-08-12T03:44:00.001+12:00

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/all-blacks-show-scant-respect-for-australias-attacking-options-20110807-1ihpw.html
Jamie Pandaram [ Twitter - @JamiePandaram ]August 8, 2011

If there was any lack of respect in the Bledisloe Cup, it was the All Blacks' blatant disregard for Australia's attack. Far from fearing the magic tricks of Quade Cooper and co, the Kiwis gave them the ball in prime field position and said ''Do your best'' before smashing them. How's this for disrespect - with the first five possessions New Zealand had in their own half in Saturday's match, they opted for short kicks or midfield bombs every time. No clearing kicks necessary, no concern of turning over possession in dangerous territory. The troubling part for Australia was that they recovered the ball from all five kicks but failed to get a single point from the ensuing attacks. The question is: Who could the Wallabies have named in their back line who would have made a big difference? It is just the opposite for the Kiwis, who continue to give Sonny Bill Williams just the token 15 minutes each game. Among the attacking threats not playing at Eden Park were Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava, Cory Jane, Zac Guildford, Ben Smith, Rene Ranger and Joe Rokocoko. There will be some notable omissions when the All Blacks name their 30-man World Cup squad on August 25.

And while they said little about it before the match, the Kiwis are clearly seething over talk that Cooper could usurp Dan Carter as the world's premier playmaker. As much can be gleaned from coach Graham Henry's comments when asked post-match about Cooper's performance.
''I don't think he will be particularly pleased with his game,'' Henry said. ''I was particularly pleased with how Dan Carter played. I thought he had an outstanding game.''

BENN ON MEND

The odds of Wallaby Benn Robinson making a miraculous return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament continue to improve, after the prop managed to squat 140 kilograms for eight repetitions in the gym last week.
''For that amount of reps, I haven't done that since the start of the season,'' an upbeat Robinson said yesterday. ''That is a pretty good sign, to put pressure on my leg with plenty of weight coming through.
''There has been minimal swelling as well throughout my rehab, which makes the recovery time a bit quicker.''
Robinson is targeting a return on August 20 when his Eastwood club host West Harbour at T.G. Millner Field, but he won't be getting carried away with big statements of being available for the World Cup. ''It is a very tight, tough turnaround for me,'' said Robinson, the country's best scrummager. ''I have to prove to the coaches I am fit and ready. I have to prove to myself that I can play without an ACL.''

BREAKAWAY BACK

There will be no respite at the breakdown for the Wallabies in Durban this weekend, with turnover merchant Heinrich Brussow likely to play after making his comeback from injury in the Cheetahs' win over the Stormers in the Currie Cup. Brussow has been sidelined for most of the year but won two crucial turnovers in his 25-minute cameo off the bench, playing a critical role in the Cheetahs' 28-22 win. While he wasn't named in the 24-man Springboks squad for the remaining Tri Nations games, coach Peter de Villiers said if Brussow came through the return match unscathed he would join the team. That is hardly happy news for Australia, who were dominated at the ruck by the All Blacks.

KIWI FANS GET SHIRTY

Outraged New Zealand fans are boycotting local stores selling the All Blacks' new white-collared jersey after manufacturer adidas put a mammoth $NZ220 ($177) price tag on it. Many have opted to buy the jersey online from US and British websites, which are selling it between $NZ104 to $NZ122. The slow local sales have led to Kiwi authorities demanding taxes for online sales. And in further signs that sports fans don't like 3D coverage, Kiwi company 3D Live was forced to cancel planned coverage of World Cup games because they'd sold just 10 per cent of available tickets.

ABs retain Bledisloe Cup with big win

2011-08-12T03:41:00.001+12:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5402776/All-Blacks-retain-Bledisloe-Cup-with-big-win
DAVID LONG 07/08/2011

The All Blacks faced their biggest test of the year so far and came through it with flying colours by beating the Wallabies 30-14 at Eden Park last night.

It was yet another superb performance from Graham Henry's men and it's difficult to know what else needs to be improved on before the World Cup, so good was the performance.
The All Blacks had more to lose in the game. A Wallabies defeat could be comfortably brushed off as this is still a young Australia side that's developing and they also have a number of key players to come back in time for the World Cup.

But for the All Blacks, a loss on home soil just over a month out from the start of the World Cup would have been disastrous and that positivity around the country about the team would have evaporated overnight.

But none of that is going to happen. This win put a significant line in the sand ahead of the World Cup and All Blacks fans really can dare to believe that the Webb Ellis Cup is coming back.
To beat the team ranked No2 in the world so convincingly was the best indication as to how good this team is in 2011.

The key to last night's victory was the All Blacks' defence and their ability to shut down the Wallabies' runners before they got going. This was done by standing flat and putting in massive hits to stop all of the ball runners' momentum.

David Pocock conceded a penalty in the fifth minute by going straight to ground at a ruck, a mistake that Dan Carter was able to convert into three points.

This was quickly followed by a Ma'a Nonu try, his 18th for the All Blacks, as he was somehow able to dive around three Australians to score from two metres out
As the half went on the Wallabies started getting into the game with Will Genia and Quade Cooper showing touches of their magic while Rocky Elsom was putting in an immense performance up front.

However, it was to be the All Blacks who'd score the next try with Keven Mealamu going in from all of 10cm for the try and with Carter's conversion making the score 17-0 the result already looked to be in the bag.

Two missed penalties by James O'Connor didn't help the Australian cause and they looked a crushed side as they trudged off at halftime.
Carter's drop kick in the 48th minute was very un-All Blacks like, but was no doubt something to put into practice ahead of the World Cup.

Digby Ioane's try in the 54th minute finally got Australia on the board, but hopes of a comeback disappeared straight from the restart with Sitiveni Sivivatu scoring after Conrad Smith made a long run.

It was to be try that really sealed the contest. But impressively the All Blacks' concentration didn't drop off over the rest of the half. They stuck to their task, followed the game plan and got the victory.

Only a consolation try to Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom blotted the finish but it was a done deal by then.

The result means the Bledisloe Cup has been retained by the All Blacks for another year.
That's one trophy won, how many more are to come?

New Zealand 30: (Ma'a Nonu, Keven Mealamu, Sitiveni Sivivatu tries; Dan Carter 3 con, 2 pen, dropped goal)
Australia 14: (Digby Ioane, Rocky Elsom tries; Quade Cooper 2 con).
Halftime: 17-0