Richie McCaw: From the open side - book review

Still hidden

After John Matheson's turgid account of Richie McCaw's career up until 2009 (the title 'Richie McCaw: A tribute to a modern day football legend' should have been the main hint itself to what blandness laid in wait for me), I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Greg McGee had been given the job of writing our current captain's autobiography in 2012.

What Matheson's book didn't deliver (unless of course you wanted to trawl through an archive of every match report written by the average middle aged male sports hack of Fairfax about McCaw's stellar career to date) has been up to McGee to rectify. The book I'd been waiting for was something more personal. Something that all rugby journalists have never seemed to have the imagination to tackle.

I wanted to read about the real McCaw. How does he feel gliding among the "wee puffy clouds along the mountainous ridges that run along the edge of the Mackenzie Country" and what really makes him tick. Besides stating the bleeding obvious which is repeated ad lib in most rugby biographical articles and books about the man, (such as who coached McCaw where and what games he played when), what were the more personal aspects that have driven our number 7. Who are the parents of this freakish rugby giant? What did they do to bring someone up who was so determined? Was Watties baked beans the secret formula? Did he scrummage fence posts a la Meads or tackle sheep in the moonlight?  Was he ever depressed and did people tell him to harden up?

McGee's book has a crack, but because McCaw by nature is a humble and private hero, this book was never going to produce answers to all my questions. But there were still some nuggets in there. Brought up in the Hakataramea valley, on a cropping/pasture farm  inland of the beautiful South Island, McCaw was born on New years eve in 1980.  Being born in December means he always had a physical grunt in age grade rugby at school (read Malcolm Gladwell's 'Outliers' for more on this). So the stars were already aligned for him it seems.

"The thing that defines me 24/7 is my family," says McCaw. Personally, I would have liked a little more about his family. Don, his Dad, is the farmer; his younger sister Jo a sporting success in her own right having represented Canterbury at netball; and his mother Margaret, a teacher.  The family, like many New Zealand rural familie,s are drenched in sporting and rugby tradition. Don's done a bit of refereeing himself and Margaret's brothers are two former reps for Mid Canterbury. They help McCaw write out a list planning his rugby ambitions to become a GAB. The defining list is all jotted down on a table in the Oamaru McDonalds for a celebratory family lunch (I can only assume this was the late 1980s when most farming families - mine included - thought a flash day out was a meal at Maccy Ds).

McCaw's childhood is taken up with school, travelling to and fro, and then practising his rugby moves in the paddock out back, visualising no doubt the moments when he would kick the winning drop goal over in some far off year into the future rugby world cup final. Like most rural kids, a lot of his time is spent alone in the outdoors, and here is where I can imagine the resolve in his ambition is truly born. There have been other All Blacks from the Kurow area and so he notes, his dreams are already doable. "All us kids knew we had All Blacks from our neck of the woods who were farmers and locals, just like us, so had it in the backs of our minds that to rise so high wasn't completely impossible".

The book alternates between the near present and the distant past. Unlike Matheson's match by match statistical approach, we are treated to only a few of the seminal match reports (you can guess which ones),  and what was running through his mind emotionally and strategically during these nail biting tests. Then there's the fallout from Cardiff in 2007 - what McCaw really thought of Wayne Barnes's performance that day (not much) and the great coaching venn diagram that was Henry V Deans with McCaw stuck in the middle that came in its wake. 

Of course, we now know that McCaw went with Team Ted.  McCaw finds it rather hard to stomach when an Auckland cab driver announces he'll be supporting the Wallabies now the NZRFU have chosen Ted over the Australian bound Deans. "What is the world coming to when an Aucklander tells me he'll be supporting Australia because the Canterbury coach has gone?"

McCaw briefly dwells on the rugby men he admires, and this is rare given that his post match speeches are always very All Black centric.  Strikingly he returns frequently to the French no 7 Thierry Dusatoir in constant complimentary terms. "Dusatoir is bigger, faster and completely indomitable (compared to Betsen). He can fetch, carry, dominate the tackle and clean out. And worryingly, I've never seen a bead of sweat on the man." He has good words to say about Schalk Burger and even Nathan Sharpe - although he is not overly impressed with the Wallaby set up, claiming that they (unlike the Springboks) no longer want to meet after the match for a few beers since the Deans era started. He relishes the opportunity to play for the Baa Baas alongside some of his frequent foes: George Gregan, John Smit and Jean de Villiers "are all pretty good men - you have to be to stay in top level rugby for any level of time."  I wonder how long McCaw thinks Quade Cooper will be around for then. I suspect he thinks that Quade will get his beans.

For his own team mates there is a high level of respect for the men that played closely with him in the great era of 2005-2007.  Particularly Rodney So'oialo and Jerry Collins. And when both warriors drop in form, an insight....when the heart is not in it anymore, the body and form is quick to follow. Also, a shadow hangs. It must be heavy to watch your team mates of your prime begin to flounder. It must bring to mind your own rugby lifespan.   "There's a real sadness over the demise of Rodders...he has been one of our best for so many years, always combative, super-fit, tough. I've become used to him being there and doing what he's always done.  It's been a surpise, like Jerry, that he's hit the wall so fast. It's not through lack of willpower, but sometimes the conscious mind seems unable to force the unconscious to go to the painful places any more. I hope that if that time comes for me, I'm the first to see it."

The Dan Carter allegiance is touched on although Richie seems to have more of a friendly connection with loose cannon Ali 'spiderman' Williams whom he flatted with while Williams played for Canterbury (McCaw did the cooking -  meat and three veg most nights for tea, or on a more adventurous evening - spag bol. Ali did the dishes).

His relationship with the quieter Carter could be interpreted as two business associates who have a synchronicity and great level of understanding on the field. Both have the weight of a country's expectations on their shoulders. Both from small rural outposts and not born too far from each other, the respect for Carter is apparent throughout the book.  From feeling the pain for Dan and his heartbreaking withdrawal through injury from the RWC in 2011 through to McCaw asking Dan to seriously consider resigning with the All Blacks after 2007 when he knows the European sharks are circling for the number 10's signature. There is a name for a relationship that lives itself in so many parallels like this.  That their names will forever be entwined in rugby almanacs in the future.

There are touches of humour in the book.  Byron Kelleher is "an ideal halfback personality, but a man who never leaves a thought unsaid." On Brad Thorne, "I'd been giving Brad a bit of shit that he was Bakkies' twin, and they do have a certain resemblance, helped by their reliance on God, presumably in different incarnations, to bless them in creating mayhem against one another."  And little digs throughout at the style of rugby the English rugby team play (to be expected, but still edifying to read).

McCaw takes a satisfying swing at a horrid little New Zealand rugby hack, and although he doesn't mention the name, we all know it's Chris Rattue he's taking aim at, and for that Richie, we salute you and feel relieved you feel the same way too. We hear about McCaw's father's ominous feeling before the Cardiff game in 2007 and Don and Jo rushing security at the end of the match so that they can be there for their son and brother. (That little section brought a tear to my eye).

Obviously, a chapter is dedicated to the devastation of his hometown's tragic destruction during the Christchurch earthquake of 2011.  The post traumatic stress many of his team mates go through as they battle to win (and fail) another super rugby title. McCaw was with Kieran Reid eating sushi in a cafe when the earthquake struck. (Sushi! You can almost hear Richard Loe's Waikato Draught going down the wrong way when he read that one).

No book would be complete without the other love affair in McCaw's life. Gliding.  It is no secret that his Grandfather Jim was a fighter pilot in the second world war and screeds have already been written about his grandfather the war hero. 

Gliding is in McCaw's blood.  His family are heavily involved in the local gliding club and within 48 hours of touching down in NZ after the autumn internationals in the northern hemisphere, like clockwork, McCaw turns up at Omarama airfield, eager to lower himself into the Discus cockpit. Here he can forget rugby and relishes the environment where he is treated like a normal dude, without the starry eyes of a New Zealand rugby public trying to get their modern day autographs on their mobile phones (of which I am embarrassed to admit, I have played my part).

McCaw's gliding tutor and friend Gavin Wills believes he can predict who of McCaw's girlfriends will last. 'Gavin gives them the speech about my future as an ace glider pilot and watches their eyes glaze over." Maybe it's an indicator for the future Mrs McCaw.  It's going to be hard enough to crack into McCaw's inner circle let alone be accepted by the New Zealand public. One gets the feeling that any woman who wants to take up with McCaw is going to be seen somewhat as New Zealand's version of Yoko Ono. 

McCaw's pragmatic nature does come across however, even on the subject of falling in love. "Love isn't something you can find by focusing harder on or by crunching numbers or making radical changes to how you go about things. Public recognition doesn't help: half the women run a mile and the ones who are attracted to that sort of thing are probably the ones I should avoid! Like everyone else, I've just got to wait until it happens, and like everyone else, I'll need a bit of luck to meet the right person, and to know it when I do."

This pragmatism is probably what keeps McCaw single. What time is there for love when you have world cups to win, number one rankings to maintain and a vicious rugby public that will eat you alive if you so much as hint at failure... not to mention the modern day gladiators you have to contend with in a blood bath nearly every Saturday night for the best part of each year. It all takes focus and selfishness to be the best in the world. When you're this good, there can't be a lot of time for much else.

Rugby and the attitudes towards the game and the players have moved on due to McCaw's and Henry's stewardship. Good people make good rugby players has been the mantra. And maybe this is why McCaw's autobiography, even though well written, still does not deliver on all things we really want to know about the man. McCaw is aware of the responsibility he carries and unlike other hotheads, is not going to find himself drunkenly gatecrashing a wedding reception semi naked and doing a haka on the dancefloor (although let's face it, who wouldn't rather enjoy that). He has dignity and is a private person. For this reason, as much as I absorbed and enjoyed every word of this book, I am still left with a longing to know more about him. Maybe when McCaw's rugby days are in the distant past, and the final chapters are added to this well meaning bio, we will get the cadence on the history of the man that so many of us in this country adore.

Greg McGee - interview about Richie McCaw

We knocked the bastard off! France V New Zealand RWC 2011 final

And when I say bastard, I mean the big RWC monkey off our backs....not France (who were simply magnificent).

New Zealand 8 - France 7
8-7.... 87? Spooky

What can I say about this match. It was the most traumatic, harrowing 80 minutes of rugby I have ever had to endure and I swear to God that at half time, my heart beating hard in my chest, sweat dripping off my red face, I had to go and put my head under a cold tap. "What would I rather?" I thought to myself as I looked at the wheezing female staring back at me in the mirror."Death from a rugby induced stroke? Or the All Blacks losing this thing..once again to our nemesis."

When France lined themselves up in a v for victory formation, hands tightly clasped with each other as they approached Kapa o Pango, flirting with an IRB fine, but more importantly responding to the haka in a thrilling challenge,  all New Zealand supporters took a big gulp. Without a single ball being kicked, we knew that the mythical A game that France manages to produce every so often (mainly when their backs are against the wall and they are playing the All Blacks in a world cup knockout) were going to turn up today.

And man, did they what!  Every French player on that field equalled or shaded their opposite number, led by their inspirational and fearless back row, Harinordoquay, Dusatoir (a man of the match performance) and Bonnaire.  They were mighty, effectively shutting down All Black stars, and in the second half, they grew in confidence as they felt the wind at their backs, the warm Auckland night air on their faces and the sniff of victory. They had silenced the 16th man. They were gearing up for yet another dramatic (and entirely typical) French upset.

How the heck did the All Blacks manage to hold on? Through sheer dogged will power and the fear of losing? Or as Wayne Smith said - through the heart that beats under the fern. Also through a  magnificent captain who fought on one foot to the bitter end. While others were losing their heads, feeling the hands of history tightening across their collective throats, as they fell off tackles, missed goal kicks and just generally went missing, inspirational McCaw, the heart and soul of this great team led his men bravely up onto Hilary's step, onto the summit of his own personal Everest. He was not going to die on the cliff. He was not having any of it. (My only criticism of McCaw is that he did not acknowledge the French immediately after the game in his speech on the pitch.  I wish that he would have done this).

I live in London and after reading the British papers this morning, the northern hemisphere is distinctly poo pooey about this wonderful, long awaited and deserved world cup victory for the All Blacks (the only team unbeaten in this tournament and the top try scorers by quite some way and playing with our 4th choice fly half). "Joubert had a shocker" the pompous Surrey soaked Daily Telegraph readers screamed.  I could taste the stench of their sour grapes at the back of my throat. Whatever paper you picked up, it was all the same. The French deserved to win this one, they were robbed. By the ref. By New Zealand passion and desperation. By our cheating number 7. It was a fix, it was this, it was that. The media were different to the people I met on the streets yesterday and the lovely people in my office today (yes, it's a miracle, I did manage to drag myself into work this morning) who have been very kind and congratulatory these last few days. Maybe it is only morons (like me) that go onto these message boards.....

The fact was, this game was not pretty. But it was riveting and absorbing. Some are daring to say the greatest World Cup final ever.  How fitting that it should be after one of the greatest rugby world cup tournaments.

Then, thirty six minutes into the final, and one of the great stories of rugby redemption in the tournament. When Aaron Cruden limped off after crumbling to the ground after an encounter with a French washing machine, Stephen Donald started his warm up stretches on the sideline. Mr Average, Donald Duck they have called him in the (god awful) NZ rugby media and on the streets from Kaitaia all the way to Invercargill.  In Babel (the New Zealand supporter filled pub I was sitting watching the game in Clapham) a collective groan  richocheted around the walls as Donald ran onto the field. But then we started clapping for the man, encouraging him on, willing him on 20,000 kilometres away. He was our final hope.

And in what could have been our darkest hour, he surprised us all. A searing little line break, a kick into French territory when the All Blacks were defending yet again in the dangerous red zone, and finally a penalty that almost missed, but didn't. The man that made his world cup debut in the world cup final, in 50 minutes had transformed from zero to hero.

And so what of us, the fans?  I have imagined for many years what it would feel like to see an All Black team lift the Webb Ellis trophy after 1987.  And when that final whistle came, the feeling was strange. For me, it was as if I had experienced a huge shock and I wasn't quite sure how to take it. Then the relief began to surge through my veins and as Richie held that cup aloft his head and kissed it ever so sweetly, finally the realisation that the dream of our stadium of four million, the dream that we thought we might never live to see, had finally come true.

  Is Tom Scott psychic? This cartoon appeared in Saturday's paper - a day before the final

All Blacks book their place into the RWC 2011 final (it's been a long time coming)

Ted 1  - Deans 0

I'll write a few words later when I have calmed down and stopped crying tears of joy. Well done you mighty All Blacks. Bloody well done!

What Stephen Jones said...

Is this our time?

Richie

As an All Black supporter I have danced the highs and lows following my great team for many, many years. On the eve of our biggest world cup game this tournament, I feel nervous and I am ashamed to admit, I am preparing myself for the worst. Not because I think the All Blacks deserve to or should lose. Just because we have been here so many times before. As we saw today with Wales, sometimes the best team does not win in this awful yet exhilerating tournament.

But still, I have three bullet points that all New Zealand supporters could do by remembering in these next few hours and in the aftermath of tomorrow's game:

• Whether we win or lose tomorrow, let us be gracious about it.
• The All Blacks have been near invincible for over 100 years, with or without Daniel Carter
• No matter what the outcome, I will always support the All Blacks. I am not a fair weather rugby supporter. This team is one of my main passions in life, and I am behind them 100% of the way. I will not spit at the fly half, write 'losers' on their baggage as they go through an airport, or demand the coaches head on a plate if we lose. I won't rant on message forums that everything we did in the preceding years building up to this tournamnet was wrong and woeful. Graham Henry and his players have done their utmost best. They will do everything in their power tomorrow to win. And I will remain with them, no matter the outcome.

All Black game plan against the Wallabies revealed - RWC 2011

Wallabies and All Blacks go through - Rugby World Cup 2011 quarterfinals

Man of the match - Piri Weepu

New Zealand 33 - 10 Argentina
If you have ever wanted to witness a woman having a nervous breakdown, then you should have had front row seats in my lounge here in Whitechapel this morning. A fired up Argentina made New Zealand dig deep for a good 70 minutes before the All Blacks were able to lift themselves and book themselves into a semi-final. It's been 8 long years coming.  And after Julio Farias Cabello fired across for a try in the first half, I thought we were looking at another potential inglorious upset. Cue more nail biting and wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Argentina came out and played so well. Strong defensively, holding the ABs tryless in the first half, the Pumas executed their game plan, slowing down the ball and throwing themselves into rucks.  But what I took heart from in this New Zealand performance was the way the All Blacks absorbed the pressure and kept their shape.  With patience they continued to niggle (god, I hate that word this week) away on attack and were finally rewarded with a Read try in the second half.

What were the good points of this game? The man of the match was most definitely Piri Weepu who announced on the world stage that he is now the new heartbeat of a team still grimacing from Carter's absence.  His kicking in hand and at goal were top drawer. Not so promising was Colin Slade who had yet another shaky start, but what about Cruden?!  Two weeks ago he was watching the tournament on television with a cup of a tea and a biscuit. Would he then in his wildest dreams have imagined that tonight he would be thrust into the thick of a quarter final.  And boy, he played well, trying things on the gainline, chancing his arm and executing with confidence. Could this still turn out to be a fairytale for a boy who has already in his life had to beat cancer and all the other demons that go along with that terrible disease.

This was New Zealand's first proper test at the world cup. It may not have been the thrashing that some people were predicting, but it is better Argentina put the All Blacks under pressure and gave them a game. Honourable mentions:  Brad 'the engine room' Thorne. 37 years old (my age!). He gives us all hope and he did if often with a smile on his face.  Cory Jane has magic, even if he has been a bit *ahem* naughty this week. Sonny Bill - he has to be in the starting 15 somewhere next week. Mario Ledesma - subbed with ten minutes to go, a Puma that has played four world cups walked off the rugby pitch one final time as an international. Tears in his eyes, looking to the heavens, the image of this emotional hardened warrior will stay with me for a long time. This is why I love rugby.

Australia 11 - South Africa 9
I didn't know who I'd rather NZ face next week. But now it is Australia, the All Blacks main foe and banana skin when it comes to world cups, I feel slightly (ok more than slightly) worried. Cue endless column inches and tireless cliches for the next week about the Dingo Deans/Graham Henry rivalry from our ever unoriginal New Zealand rugby journos.

Australia did not have the territory or possession but it didn't matter, because the Springboks could not muster a way of scoring a try. Like England, they have been left behind. I think the right four teams have made it through to the semi finals. Four teams that are not afraid to play some decent, attacking rugby. The Springboks and their supporters will be mightily disappointed and I feel for them, but heck and hey, they won the world cup last time, it's nice to share things around.

Australia are now almost back to full strength with an on fire Pocock leading the charge. Is it a coincidence or something more that the four teams that have made it through all have exceptional players at number 7? So, this time next week we will know who will be in the final.  I am not making any more predictions as I failed so miserably this week (only picking the ABs to overtake Argentina). This world cup could be anyone's, and at least it will be won by a team that is prepared to play with some inventiveness (as long as that team is not Australia).

Inside the All Black jersey - documentary

This behind the scenes documentary of the All Blacks was filmed during the successful 2010 All Black Grand Slam tour of the Northern Hemisphere. Cut down into five episodes, the main players featuring will probably participate on Saturday against France for RWC 2011.

It's a real insight into the All Black camp and the way they prepare for each match. Something that all international rugby teams, players and coaches alike visiting NZ will be going through right now.

Inside the Black jersey - episode 1 'The Captain - Richie McCaw'


Inside the Black jersey - episode 2 'The Munster test (with Ali Williams -The Joker)'


Inside the Black jersey - episode 3 'The rookie' - Kieran Reid (not such a rookie anymore).


Inside the Black jersey - episode 4 'The coaches'


Inside the Black jersey - episode 5 'The playmaker (Dan Carter)'

Australia 25 - All Blacks 20

Trinations decider 2011 - Suncorp Stadium - Brisbane

The omens are not looking good for an All Black team that creaked into gear after a scintillating start by Australia.  This game had many ups and downs.  Some moments of pure genius and joy (the Australian backline). And also some moments of complete crap (the entire All Black team in the first half, bar Nonu who played like a hero when all around him were losing their heads and blaming it on each other).

We were beaten by a better team who were more committed. The New Zealand backline cannot match this Wallaby backline which is just sensational. What I would give to have a Will Genia on our team when what we have in place is Piri Weepu who seems to think a great tactic is waving his arms around a lot and shouting meaningless instructions instead of grabbing the ball from the bottom of a ruck and releasing it - quickly - to his backs.

When it comes to karma, I do so hope that it catches up with Quade Cooper next month.  What is his obsession with Richie McCaw?  Anyone that knees the New Zealand captain in the head is no friend of mine, ever again.

Other depressing things about this game?  Keiran Reid is injured. Possibly Richie too. Dan had a shocker, particuarly in the first forty. There were several All Blacks on the field who looked passed their used by date. Is this All Black team too old with our Brad Thornes and Ali Williamses.  And what of Mils Muliaina. He has been a great servant to NZ but I have been saying for a year at least that he is selfish with the ball, and slow.  He cannot be the first choice fullback when Israel Dagg is in the wings. But he will, because with Woodcock, Graham Henry loves these two incumbents. I think this loyalty is misplaced. One last moan. Zac Guildford. I haven't seen him play well when the chips are down. My heart today is breaking for Hosea Gear.

Glimmers of hope?  I've never really see Victor Vito play before, and I thought for a young, inexperienced All Black, he stepped up to the mark.  Ditto Nonu who was my man of the match. It was heartening to see an All Black fight back and we did win the second half (grasping at straws now). As for that old NZ foe Wayne Barnes?  I give him a pass mark.  I don't think he did too badly at all. Plus - he's no longer New Zealand's main foe. That baton has been passed on now, to Robbie Deans and his young team of Wallaby young guns.

Watch a post match interview with Graham Henry to see what he thought of the game

Ted’s Comedy Gold

"I had to find out what bloody Twitter was," said Graham Henry. "I thought it was a new guy playing five-eighth [outside-half] for England.

The wheat from the chaff

All Blacks 23 - Wallabies 22
Sydney

The Wallabies had everything to play for after their energising victory in South Africa a week earlier.  Sure, they would be tired but at home, playing against a Carterless New Zealand outfit that had the Tri Nations in the bag, this test was always going to be a good chance for them.

And for a long time in this match it really looked like they were going to do it.  With stars like Kurtley Beale and Lachie Turner in the Australian backline, the green and golds looked the more threatening team with ball in hand in the first half.  They were assisted by an All Black side that was playing at its worst.  Errant lobbing passes, butter fingered passing, wayward kicking. It just wasn't clicking for us.

For New Zealand there was also no rub of the green in this test. I'm sure Australian rugby supporters would disagree with me, but it appeared that Mark Lawrence missed an awful lot and the bounce of the ball was definitely going Australia's way.   And incidentally, who else isn't tired of the merciless hate campaign being waged against Richie McCaw.  It seems that now whenever the All Blacks win, it's all down to McCaw getting away with murder. Well here's a note to all the McCaw knockers. It's not the case.  Our number 7 is simply streets better than your number 7 so nya nya nya nya nya. Stick that one up your jumper and please stop moaning!

Cruden's first start has been heavily criticised.  An altogether smaller guy than anyone else on the pitch, he was bullied heavily by the Ozzies off the ball.  I think he showed some nice touches however and showed some resilience.  Colin Slade coming on in the last twenty injected a new dimension and I'm glad he shone.  I've often wondered why he hasn't been selected before.

There were plenty of All Blacks last night that didn't put their names up for honour.  There are some that I'm finding myself wondering why they're even in the team.  Corey Flynn of course is the main culprit. I could only groan when Mealamu limped off the field knowing it was now going to be an even harder night at the office.  Thank God Flynn didn't score a flukey try (you know, one of those ones where he often finds himself on the wing) and we had to witness his arrogant little chicken 'I've scored a try' dance. That would have been more than I could take.

Muliaina butchered a try by - you guessed it - not passing.  He seems to have a resistance to passing to his teammates - although he is rather fond of the hospial pass.  I feel like I'm the only All Black supporter in the world that is getting more and more annoyed with him. Please next game, watch him and see what I mean.

Speaking of overrated - what must the Ozzies be thinking of Matt Giteau at the moment?  The most expensive player, I don't think I've ever seen a game where he lives up to his press.  Whatever way, the Wallabies need to find a new kicker, and pronto too.

We missed Joe believe it or not. Izzy Dagg has star quality, but defensively he was found wanting on the flanks. 

Kaino is the most underrated All Black. As far as I'm concerned, he came off the bench and helped save the game for us.

So well done to the ABs and well done to the Wallabies.  It was yet another thrilling game of rugby that had everyone on the edge of their seats.  Sorry to Oz that we beat you again, for the 10th time.  (But really, I"m sorry but I'm not that sorry).

Oarsome

South Africa 22 - All Blacks 29 (Tri Nations 2010, Soweto)
Ferdy from London

I didn't see the match. Staying with family in Scotland, it was decided instead to take a walk to the Loch Katrine which was well worth it and so beautiful. I did utter a silent prayer in my heart that I wouldn't be missing the match of the century. Chances were it wouldn't happen, but Murphy's Law dictated otherwise.

I can't comment on the match. I've learnt about it through friends and through internet feeds. But what I can glean about it safely is this:

• 90,000+ people were in support for South Africa at Soweto
• John Smit's celebrations before the match ended in great discomfort for him
• Dan Carter became the greatest ever points scorer in international rugby
• Dan Carter had an off night with the boot but that's ok because since then we've found out he was playing with a broken foot (dan always gets away with it after all)
• Richie McCaw is a bloody legend stealing a try at the death
• Izzy Dagg is not far behind him, as is Thorne, Nonu, Smith, Weepu, Jane and of course Mealamu
• The Boks played with passion and were not too far off the speed, and I know they'll be fine and threatening come 2011
• For now NZ is number 1 in the world and tri nation holders, once again

With the Tri Nations decided, all other matches could be thought of as dead rubbers. But for true rugby supporters, we know this isn't true.

Firstly - South Africa and Australia have to now fight it out for bragging rights. Secondly - NZ has to try and beat Oz Carterless. Now is the time for Cruden to step up - but can he do it? Thirdy -  Richie McCaw is under the international spotlight from bloggers, media, coaches and referees alike for alleged 'cheating'.  Or is is it just alleged 'being too good and clever for any other rugger player on the planet?'  Because this is a NZ rugby blog, you probably know what part of the fence I'm sitting on.

Meanwhile, up North, there's other fish to fry. Stephen Jones of the Times in London, that great Lord Sphincter of them all, managed to damn the ABs with faint praise and accusations of offside  (richie again - what's not to expect of course). But through gritted teeth, even he had to conlude NZ was indeed streets ahead of the opposition.

Most of the media in northern hemisphere climes in fact have been very subdued about the sensational season the All Blacks have had. If they're not wittering on about Richie - they're still stuck in the (only)  English victory against Australia on Australian soil since 2003 (which incidentally is seven years ago - a whole life cycle done and dusted) when the red roses managed to beat the Wallabies.  By one point, or so.

As the north gears up for the beginning of its domestic season, there is another important tournament going on. The Women's Rugby World Cup is currently being held in London. England Expects (as usual).  They beat Kazakhstan (poor Borat) today by 80 points and Ireland previously - so maybe they are right to think they're top seed. (Cue a Tui billboard here).

The Black Ferns of NZ have had it 'easier', dismissing South Africa and Australia comfortably.  Wales on Friday for the Ferns. I hope to get along there and proivde a match report - so watch this space.

In the mean time, good luck to them and thank you to Father Ted and his All Blacks. If you're a true rugby supporter, you take these moments because you never know where it's going in sport and what will happen tomorrow. For now, today will do. I just hope next time, I'll be able to see it with my own eyes.

All Black game plan revealed

Israel Dagg = Yes. Rene Ranger = No

All Blacks 31 - Springboks 17. Cake Tin/Wellington. Tri Nations 2010

So another comprehensive win for the ABs against a Springbok side that is beginning to look decidedly creaky. However, I still have problems....

I have a huge respect for Graham Henry as a coach. I think he is unparalled in tactical nous. No matter the old fuddy duddies that think Robbie 'dingo' Deans should be taking over the team. It is proven that Henry has the goods being the most successful All Black coach on record. But why would he pick Rene Ranger who is yet another All Black that has been charged with assault? It's not a good look for the team. And the people that are borderline like this - never make it far (eg. Sitiveni Sivivatu, Sione Lauaki, Adam Thompson to name a few).

Ranger is young. He wasn't great this evening under the high ball and in the tackle. He was lucky in fact not to sent off for a shoulder charge. (He wasn't so hot against Wales either when he butchered a try with a three man overlap). He did finish a good try but I still don't think he should be representing the All Blacks or New Zealand in any sport in this period. Prove him innocent, and then he can prove himself on the field.

Now Israel Dagg really is the great white hope. He is a superstar in the making. Tonight, after only a few minutes, he managed to splice apart the defence of two of the best rugger players in the world (Spies and Berger). Which brings me to the person which is keeping Dagg from a starting berth:

Mils Muliaina- yes, he's playing fantastically at the moment, granted. But a niggling thing keeps creeping into my soul when I watch him play. The man is selfish. He would rather not pass or offload. He's always hoping for the try that wins another 80 minutes into the selectors hearts. I hope Dagg will be in the starting 15 that leads us into a sudden death play off in a world cup game. I think by this time next year he will have more to give than Mils.

The Springboks. They were again beaten soundly tonight. Yet again, another yellow was given in the opening ten for Roussow attempting to threaten McCaw with a slight eye gouge (although on replay it looked rather harmless). McCaw himself was lucky not to be yellow carded in the second half of the match, and I borrow Green and Gold rugby's saying that our great All Black captain should be renamed His Highness Field Marshall Richard McCaw, Order of the NTBYC (Never To Be Yellow Carded).

Even with another thrashing, the Boks were gracious and lighthearted in defeat. I wish we could be more like that. I respect them and I certainly am not writing them off for 2011. They'll be back but I really do believe they need some fresh blood and legs in there to get them going again. And maybe it's time for them to look at changing their gameplan. Freeflowing rugby is back on the menu. Pity it's between world cups.

Carl Hayman chooses Toulon over the All Blacks

I have come out of the doom and gloom to write about Carl Hayman’s choice to play in Toulon next year, rather than represent the All Blacks in the next world cup.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Hayman, particularly as we’ve had to endure Neemia Tialata’s ineffectiveness for the last three years.

But now he’s not coming home. Whether it is a big loss or not for New Zealand rugby (and a year ago I would have said ‘yes’, but since then I’ve seen Luke McAlister arrive back from the Northern Hemisphere a diminished player) is by the by.

The wider issue being discussed is whether New Zealand players should be allowed to play for a Northern hemisphere club and the All Black test team in the same season.

My answer is no.

For a start – a wealthy northern hemisphere club would not be prepared to release their players for training or tests to New Zealand (gawd, English clubs don’t do it for their own English team members so I very much doubt they would ever do it for a New Zealander).

Secondly, the New Zealand public would lose even more interest in the over hyped super 14 and the NZRFU would continue to lose revenue which means we would continue to lose even more stars.

Thirdly, skills levels of those stars plying their trade overseas would not be aligned with New Zealand rugby. Luke McAlister is a perfect example of this. He left as an up and coming star and has returned Joe Average. (More of the same is expected from Chris Jack and Aaron Mauger).

While I can understand Hayman’s choice to take the money, I wonder how he will feel come world cup time. If the All Blacks lose, no doubt he’ll be highly relieved. If they win, it may be another story for him altogether.

But he’s loaded now so that’s all ok because money is the answer Yeah right.

All Blacks 32 - Wallabies 19 - Tokyo

Tonight the All Blacks won against the Wallabies for the fourth time this year (although the tally does flatter the winners as the Wallabies took the AB's to the line on at least two occasions, and looked very much on par with the New Zealanders).

However, in the end with Dan Carter's boot and two beautiful tries (the first, the best I've seen from the All Blacks all year), the New Zealanders brought this game home.

The first half was incredibly even. I've always said - sagely since the mid 80s - never get the Aussies into your own twenty two as they'll pull one out of the bag. And Peter Hynes did just that, in the corner brushing off four desperate All Blacks, just before the second time whistle.

The try was awarded dubiously by the TMO after what it seemed like ten minutes of soul searching. To be fair, I would have awarded it too. (One must always give the attacking team the benefit of the doubt - even if it was grounded before it touched the chalk and then lost forward after).

The ABs weren't helped in the five minutes previous by the brainless and inept (ok, he finished with a try, but he's still inept) Sivivatu who pulled an illegal in-the-air tackle against Adam Ashley Cooper that looked distinctly malicious. Of course he was sent to the sin bin for a well deserved ten thereafter. (Why the AB coaches persist with this nutbar who can't tackle and can't catch a basic up-and-under is beyond me).

But at half time, the All Blacks got the 'talking to' and came out firing. Conrad 'runs a good straight line' Smith scored a 'good running at the line' in a straight pattern try, and then it was up to Dan and Giteau to exchange penalties for the next half hour.

Roll on the AIs.

Tri Nations 2009 - Still alive and kicking

It’s amazing how one game can change everything in world rugby. Less than a week ago and the Springboks were invincible world beaters that were so far ahead of the rest of the teams in the world, all we could do was stand back in awe and admiration. This week and the Wallabies with an injection of passion and desperation, blow that aura of invincibility to smithereens. How quickly the tables can turn with a fickle media and public.

Already the sniping at Springbok talisman John Smit has begun. (Maybe there is a point to this considering he was annihilated by a scrum that has up until very recently, been a world laughing stock). The murmur of usual clichés have started to gain in volume: ‘The boks are poor travellers, they don’t know what to do when someone applies pressure to them, they’ve got a stupid coach’ etc etc. It just goes to prove that any team, no matter how fearsome, is only as good as its last game.

Good news for the Tri Nations too. This means the last two games won’t be dead rubbers – although the All Blacks will have to play out of their skins and score four tries in each match to have any hope of retaining the trophy. Call me a pessimist but I can’t see how it will be possible with the current players in the All Blacks. Especially if Henry decides to continue tinkering with his backline and playing everyone out of position. Dan Carter is the world’s best number 10. Why would Henry play him at 12? And what impact can an out of form Mils Muliaina possibly make at centre? He has struggled in his own position, so what kind of cutting incisiveness will he make at centre? Not much I should imagine.

If Henry picks the slovenly Tialata who I see is back training with the squad, well then I’m going to trot off to the TAB and put some money on the South Africans myself. I thought the silver lining from the losses we have had this year would be that Henry would shave the players from the team who turn up but clearly look like they can’t be bothered. We need to get rid of the dead weight. Not keep on flogging a dead horse by playing inept players with no brains for the game or passion.

Getting beaten

Ok. It's terrible, I haven't updated for a week because I've just been feeling so blah about rugby since the All Blacks lost to the Springboks. I also accidentally wiped my old blog template and now I'm stuck with this green thing until I have the time and inclination to get around to fixing it. Grrrr! Are there any web designers out there who could give me some advice about bringing my blog into the 21st century?

But back to me feeling blah. My team, the team that I love and adore, is going through a serious blip at the moment. The scarey thing is, I'm worried the blip is going to turn into something longer than a blip. And then what? How long does a blip need to last before we'll be calling ourselves the the Wales of the Northern Hemisphere. Once, one of the greatest rugby teams in the world and now, with money ruling the day, struggling to keep up with even the minnows (read the match against Italy to see what I mean).

I'm overreacting yes. But the signs are worrying. Our backline seems to have lost the natural instinct to attack. Is this because they're being coached to stand so flat? Is it because they don't appear to have any collective intelligence (yes, yes, I know Conrad Smith has got a law degree and 'runs a good straight line' blah de blah blah blah). Why do the coaches persist with selecting players like Tialata and Eaton? The whole world has gone mad. What's happened to Mils Muliaina? He's lost his spark. The wingers have lost their speed. And Andrew Hore has lost his accuracy throwing into lineouts - although sadly I have to acknowledge it was never actually a strong point for him anyway).

The Springboks were the better team last week. Yes, yes, there was playing at altitute and the one week turnaround and the jet lag for the All Blacks to have to contend with. But I'm a bit afraid that this week we'll have no excuses if we come out second best. Of course, you're only as good as your last game. And I live in hope. I will for another day at least.

Henry All Black coach until 2011 and the Rugby World Cup

What other All Black coach (in fact what other coach anywhere for that matter) can claim two NH grand slams, more Tri Nations trophies than you can shake a stick at, a whitewash of the British and Irish Lions and a vicelike grip on the Bledisloe cup - not to mention a continued world ranking of No 1 in world rugby? Sorry, but last time I looked, Henry is the only man. That’s why I’m pleased he’s been reappointed to coach through until the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Putting his impeccable record aside however, Henry haters are still a dime a dozen. Normally thriving down red and black way, these grumps ironically can’t see past the fact that Robbie Deans has also failed at a Rugby World Cup – oh and did I mention the fact he sold out to the enemy? (And yes I can be parochial here, a New Zealand rugby man of Deans’ stature coaching the Wallabies is like Alex Ferguson packing his bags and moving north London way to manage Arsenal).

Yes - the All Blacks without Carter, McCaw, Williams and So’oialo looked shaky at best for the Inveco series last month. And yes - All Black fans may have to be prepared that this current New Zealand team may well have to relinquish the Tri Nations title and Bledisloe Cup in the next couple of months. Especially if the Wallabies live up to expectation and the Boks can ignore the instructions of their mad coach long enough. But that’s life. It’s a sport. You win some and you lose some.

It seems we’ve been so spoilt with our winning rugby team in this country that we’ve become very sore losers when we don’t get our way – and we’re getting an ugly reputation for it. When did we become like this? Spoilt children that throw all their toys out of the cot when our team loses to a better team on the night? Let’s shoot the coach! Honestly, it’s not cool. Chris Rattue et al, are you listening?

I mentioned in my last blog that we’ve got no-one else anyway. If people seriously believe Ian Foster or Colin Cooper could be the answer, then they’re delusional. In fact, I’ll strike out here and now partly blame the current crop of All Blacks’ form on Cooper and Foster’s shoulders. I mean, the Hurricanes had eight All Blacks who just months earlier swept the cream of the Northern Hemisphere teams aside for New Zealand. How did these same players under Cooper manage to look so mediocre? Every time I tuned in to the Super 14 this year the Hurricanes looked shoddy, overweight and lethargic. Their form under Cooper went backwards. How can one group of men look so good under one coach and so apathetic under another?

Henry is a wily old bugger who’s had a dramatic coaching tenure. Under the cosh numerous times he’s proved he can handle the criticism that is routinely piled on him. He’s experienced it from all corners of the earth after all. But no matter how polarising he is and no matter how thick his skin must have had to become to cope with the continual flak, Henry to me always seems - under that dour school teacher persona of his - a person who truly can inspire his players.

A famous Henryism (did he steal it from Madonna I wonder?) is ‘Express yourself’. Often repeated by players in post match interviews it appears to have become a motto which is now part of All Black doctrine. It’s got kind of a new-agey vibe to it but it’s also to the point, inspiring and simple. I think that’s Henry’s coaching style in a nutshell and I’m pleased that we’re sticking with a man who’s shown he’s got a backbone, and a big heart. He knows the glories of success and the horrors of failure. I’ve no doubt that he’s the right man to take us through to 2011– even if there are a few hiccups along the way.
I'm sorry but Billy who? This is priceless.

British and Irish Lions get the consolation prize and win showing true passion

This was another week for the history books with the British and Irish Lions showing true class and grit to steamroll the Springbok second string side and leave Peter De Villiers with egg on his face. Lote Tuqiri is suspended permanently from the ARU and the All Blacks squad for the 2009 Tri Nations is announced with no new surprises. A wee footnote too about the whole sad Basteraud affair.

British and Irish Lions' 28-9 victory over South Africa

The British and Irish Lions came back from the disappointment of losing the 2009 series in South Africa by taking Peter De Villiers’ back-up team to task and completely annihilating them out wide and up front. The Baby Boks, controversially sporting white armbands to reflect their solidarity with Bakkes Botha after he copped his ban had no answer to a spurned Lions outfit with fire in their bellies. The northern hemisphere lads played with style and ended their seven game losing streak in what was in the end, a dramatic and hugely entertaining tour. As usual there was exciting play on the field matched by ineptitude and brain farts (Ronan O’Gara take a bow), the usual underhanded dirty play (Simon Shaw and Schalk Burger), bitching and moaning about the officials from members of the public and British media (the usual suspects, Stephen Jones, Robert Kitson etc etc) and yet more idiotic comments from the South African coach. Although South Africa look like the team to beat in the Tri Nations – can they really be considered such a potent force when they have a complete donkey at the helm? Interesting Lions comments here by Chris Hewett summing up the good and the bad of the tour.

Tuqiri gone

No, I won’t be sad that Lote Tuqiri has been banished from the Wallaby set-up. I just wish that those breakers of All Black supporters hearts - Stirling Mortlock and Matt Giteau would join him. But in all seriousness - the termination of Lote’s ARU contract is all very mysterious, especially with Dingo Deans wandering into the fray and adding his support to John O’Neill’s decision. Tuqiri has allegedly been involved now in one too many off the field mishaps where alcohol and no doubt pig headed aggression have been to the fore. A great rugby player to watch who could really cut a defensive line open with his running and skill, in form Tuqiri was always dangerous. So no, heading into the tri nations with our straggly lot of butter fingered bambini I’m not sad at all that he’s been dropped. Although rugby will definitely be the poorer now for his departure.

Graham Henry and his fan club

Another All Black squad announced for the Tri Nations and another chance for the talk back radio callers and message board bloggers to have a good moan about Ted. Griping about the All Black coach is becoming more of a national sport than the national sport. As usual, the knives are out for Henry because:

A/ He’s not a cantabrian
B/ He’s not dingo deans
C/ He’s not either of the above
D/ He picked Rokocoko and Toeava
E/ He didn’t pick Messam or Masanga

Firstly – although the media would say differently, polls suggest that Henry still has support of at least half the country. All the doubters that hassle Henry should take a good hard look at who else is in the wings if he goes? Colin Cooper, Ian Foster, Pat Lamb?! Yeah right. People think the player depth in this country is bad – I think the coaching stocks are more depleted yet. The day Colin Cooper becomes All Black coach is the day I give up on rugby completely.

So Henry’s selections. He’s made some that I kind of scratch my head at. I’m definitely with the punters who think he was mad to reselect Rokocoko and Toeava. Roks has looked sluggish for years now and as for Toeava – how many chances does he need before the selectors stop selecting him? The guy can play amazing rugby but when it comes to the crunch, his nerves fail him in the big ones. As one witty blogger posted: “Toeava can wear the jersey of anyone in the backline- whether he can actually play in any of these positions is highly questionable!” Meanwhile, Tialata who I think is the true Achilles heel of the forward pack sneaks through unnoticed. Why?

Good things about the selections? At least Lauaki didn’t another call up. Also, Messam doesn’t have it at the moment and they were right to let him go. Another time maybe for him.

The sorry saga of Basteareaud

Poor guy has been through the mill. I thought this Rosemary McLeod column was a good compassionate take on the follies of youth.

British and Irish Lions keep up their losing ways

Another eventful weekend of rugby saw the All Blacks winning a scratchy and frustrating match against Italy, South Africa taking the Lions series in Pretoria and more red faces in the French camp.

The Lions lose by two points in a thriller - and the moaning begins

After the melodramatic and unsuccessful 2005 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand went pear shaped for the Lions, the high pitched squeals of Brian O’Driscoll, Clive Woodward and Alistair Campbell complaining as they actively launched a hate campaign on Tana Umanga could be heard throughout the world.

Unfortunately for Woodward and co, the moaning didn’t translate into points on the field in 2005 so it was a good idea when the Lions squad of 2009 decided to keep their complaining about the opposition behind closed dressing room doors for their tour of South Africa.

This all unravelled after the scintillating second test when several incidents off the ball saw a number of Lions players hospitalised (and lest we forget Schalk Burgers’ very obvious eye gouge in front of cameras, touch judges and other team members).

South Africa turned up to play dirty according to the spotless Lions who of course with players like Simon Shaw and O’Driscoll would never do anything collectively underhanded as a spear tackle or eye gouge. Yeah right.

So now that the Lions have lost, the dressing room door has been opened and the insults in the British media are out. While I agree that Schalk Burger should be punished for his offences (and since writing this, has been), the British and Irish media maybe need to take a look in their own back yard before they get all self righteous and start throwing stones.

It is bad when the game is played dirty, but it isn’t just the All Blacks and Springboks who are guilty of those offences. The British and Irish Lions lost and already the moaning has gone up a gear. It looks like sour grapes, as per usual. Haven’t they learnt anything?

All Blacks at new lows

It was a shambolic and frustrating display at Jade Stadium on Saturday night for the All Blacks’ test match against Italy. The Italians managed to restrict the All Blacks to the smallest ever margin and the celebrations were evident in the Azzuri coaching box after the game.

The problem for the All Blacks according to the media is all about the 9 / 10 axis. Personally I think there are a few more rotten apples in the barrel of the New Zealand backline. For a start, where is the attacking potency of yesteryear? It certainly wasn’t on display on Saturday. This is as much to do with Luke McAlister’s error ridden game as it is to do with a lack of intelligence and collective nous.

Poor Mils Muliaina - who was the best back by far on Saturday - cannot be the brains for a backline that had arrogance (yes, trying to run in your own 22 for the majority of the game because you think you’re going to score a 10 try haul against the Italians is arrogant) and stupidity (even when the 10 try haul didn’t look like it was going to happen, they didn’t know how to change their tactics. Duh – dumb).

Why did the backline stand so flat behind the first five eighth? Murray Mexted - love him or hate him - was right. The All Blacks had no go forward and never really looked like getting over the gain line. Instead the fancied themselves doing little flashy moves that came to nothing: running criss cross dummies and executing silly little hospital passes to each other. It was a depressing sight to watch.

Once an attacking team with flair and ingenuity, I fear to say they look more like an English backline now – running backwards and sideways, pointing and yelling idiotically, and no structure or skill. This is not looking good for the Tri nations at all.

The only upside (and I’m clutching at straws here) is that the South Africans under their foot in mouth prone coach Peter De Villiers may not be as strong as they could potentially be. After all, the Lions theoretically were never expected to beat the Boks. But the northern hemisphere side took them pretty close and often played the better rugby.

Also, the Wallabies only managed the one try against France in what was described a ‘turgid’ match on Saturday. Not exactly the roasting that everyone was expecting. Only time will tell I guess

Bastereaud

The New Zealand media is having a field day with plays on Bastereaud’s name and the sentence ‘lying bastard’. All very obvious and unsubtle. The unwitting centre it turns out didn’t get assaulted by any New Zealand thugs but into a scuffle back at his hotel room with his team mate.


Wellington mayor and property developer Kerry Prenderghastly waded into the drama demanding Bastereaud make an apology to the people of Wellington. How very typically parochial of us. I guess the police investigation costs should be covered by the French but it’s become a bit of a non story now and I do kind of feel for the ‘French Nonu’.

He is just a young guy who is (obviously) a bit stupid and panicked. Now his reputation has been tarnished with this story making rugby pages throughout the world. How embarrassing for him and his family. As Graham Henry said, he’s a young guy and all young guys do stupid things from time to time. Unfortunately for him, this one has made worldwide headlines.