Message

As for the chatterbox, you are all free to chat in it. What you say in it involves you and only you.
We are all grown-ups (Internet-ly speaking) and we must respect each other's point of view -even if it's juste gossip. We can't meet each other at the pub after work (or school). That's the only place we have to keep contact with each other.
Those who aren't happy with it, don't post in the chatterbox when you don't like the topic ; and wait for a conversation you are interested in!

Thank you very much,
Enjoy your weekend,
MaryL


*****
En ce qui concerne la fameuse Chatterbox, tout le monde peut y poster un message. Vous -et vous seul(e)s etes responsables de ce que vous postez.
Nous sommes tous assez grands (Internette-ment parlant) et nous nous devons de respecter le point de vue de chacun(e)-meme si ce n'est qu'une rumeur. On ne peut pas se retrouver tou(te)s ensemble apres le boulot (ou les cours) et la chatterbox est notre seul moyen de rester en contact!
Si une conversation ne vous interesse pas, ne vous y joignez pas ; attendez un sujet qui sera -pour ous- plus interessant!

Merci beaucoup,
Passez un bon weekend,
MaryL

marykoala@hotmail.fr

Super 14. Day 9. Preview

Jamie Pandaram Friday, March 30, 2007

FRIDAY
HIGHLANDERS V CHEETAHS
Invercargill (*5.35pm)

FORCE V SHARKS
Perth (*9.05pm)

SATURDAY
HURRICANES V BULLS
Wellington (*3.30pm)

CHIEFS V BLUES
Hamilton (*5.35pm)

WARATAHS V CRUSADERS
Sydney (*7.40pm)

Last week, news stories claimed the Blues were wary of the "wounded" Waratahs. This week, news stories claimed the Crusdaders are wary of the "wounded" Waratahs. The Crusaders are so wary, they have decided to rest genius playmaker Daniel Carter - but said he is suffering from a neck injury (Carter wasn't too fussed by his neck when I spoke to him on Tuesday). You can't blame the champs - the NSW line-up looks like a battered Holden running on an old Morris Minor engine. Carter's replacement Steve Brett was the form flyhalf for the first seven rounds of the competition and will have no problems asserting dominance. Those hoping for an upset should stay at home and watch Rocky. Those wanting to see brilliant attacking rugby should go along and watch the Crusaders put on a show.

Waratahs (likely): Kurtley Beale, Peter Hewat, Lote Tuqiri, Morgan Turinui, Lachlan Turner, Sam Norton-Knight, Brett Sheehan, David Lyons, Tim Davidson, Rocky Elsom, Will Caldwell, Ben Hand, Alastair Baxter, Adam Freier (captain), Benn Robinson. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Beau Robinson, Josh Valentine, Sam Harris, Ben Jacobs (one to be added).

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Casey Laulala, Aaron Mauger, Scott Hamilton, Stephen Brett, Kevin Senio, Mose Tuiali'i, Richard McCaw (captain), Reuben Thorne, Chris Jack, Ross Filipo, Campbell Johnstone, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Ben Franks, Michael Paterson, Kieran Read Johnny Leo'o, Andrew Ellis, Caleb Ralph.
Ref: C Joubert (SA) -->

SUNDAY
LIONS V BRUMBIES
Johannesburg (*1am)

BYE: Reds and Stormers

This story was found at: http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au

Super 14. Day 8.

Results/ Resultats

Blues v Waratahs 34-6
Highlanders v Bulls 13-22
Crusaders v Stormers 36-11
Reds v Chiefs 19-21
Sharks v Brumbies 10-21
Lions v Hurricanes 30-7
W.Force/Cheetahs Bye

Ranking / Classement

Blues (28) ; Sharks (25) ; Crusaders (22) ;

Bulls W.Force ; Brumbies ;

Lions; Chiefs ; Cheetahs ;

Highlanders ; Hurricanes ; Stomers ;

Waratahs 8) ; Reds (8).

****
As always, if you do have comments about matches, dont hesitate to post a comment or to send me an article (it's an open blog, every point of view is welcomed!).

Sorry for you : there is a great article in a French magazine this Monday which you will have to wait for (because time flies and university is becoming a nightmare...) I will translate it (before the World Cup!!! just kidding...not now, but I swear, I will do it!).

Interview in which Richie says he tries to learn French (but rugby training sessions are way easier!), he caught some highlights of the VI Nations (good for Italy and France, especially vs. Ireland), he explains how the conditioning camps worked (apparently the journalist didn't know much about it..).

Conclusion about Kiwi players in Europe : if the clubs are ready to pay them more, it's logical. He wants to keep playing in New Zealand as long as he is having fun there (once again, doesn't exclude the possibility of leaving one day. He will check the pros/ conters at that time!)

****

Comme d'habitude, si vous voulez poster des commentairessur les matches ou meme vous lancer dans des resums de matches, votre avis est plus que bienvenu!

Investissement de la semaine : Rugby hebdo (1 euro 80). Si quelqu'un l'achete et a le temps de le traduire, ca serait gentil pour nos amis anglophones (sinon, ils vont devoir attendre un bon moment!)

Alors petit resume de l'interview : oui, il essaie d'apprendre le francais (mais le rugby, c'est plus facile) ; il n'a vu que des resumes des VI Nations (bon point pour l'Italie, mais surtout pour la France -match a Croc Park!) ; il parle des 'conditioning camps' (parce que le journaliste n'a pas trop l'air au courant...)

Il conclut sur l'exode neo zelandais en Europe : si les clubs sont prets a payer, c'est normal. Neanmoins, Richie restera sur l'ile du grand nuag blanc tant que son rugby et son corps le lui permettront ; il n'exclut cependant pas un exile europeen. Il pesera (en tant voulu) les pours et les contres de ce depart.

Richie McCaw's final (article by Cass)

Cassandra Murnieks
Rugby Union

RICHIE McCAW isn’t much of a betting man, but if he was, he would put his money on the Canterbury Crusaders to win a fifth title.

The All Blacks captain made a comeback for the Crusaders last weekend against the Stormers after a seven-week hiatus, due to partaking in a Rugby World Cup conditioning programme.

The Openside Flanker made a strong return, and was heavily targeted by the Stormers. Fellow All Black Dan Carter was the standout, after scoring 16 points and setting up two tries to clinch the game 36-11.

Six All Blacks made their return for the Crusaders – McCaw, Carter, Chris Jack, Aaron Mauger, Leon MacDonald and Reuben Thorne.

Their return to the Super 14 proved to be successful, but not without a fright from the Stormers in the first half. With handling errors hitting double figures in the slippery conditions, the Crusaders will be looking to improve if they pose a real threat.

The Crusaders are currently sitting in third position, three points behind the Sharks and six points behind the competition leaders, the Blues.

With the All Blacks missing from their respective Super 14 teams for the first seven rounds, the season has been shaken up with the emergence of the South African teams and the Australian teams being struck with injuries, but McCaw remains positive that the Crusaders can win a fifth title.

“I believe that we are in with a chance to make the final,” He said.

“We try not to think of the end result, just about the week ahead. If we do that right, we’ll be there.”

But the past seven weeks didn’t mean anything and the real season now begins, according to McCaw.

“The last seven rounds is where it’s going to be at. It will depend how teams will go being on the road,” He said.

“It’s been an interesting season, and the competition is close and can go any way.

“The Blues have been the standout as well as the Sharks.”

If anyone can get the Crusaders to the final, it will be with the help of Robbie Deans, the Crusaders Coach who has guided the team to four titles.

Deans is about to come off contract, and it has been speculated that he may become the new Wallabies Coach, replacing John Connolly.

The Stormers have also held informal talks with Deans, although this has been denied by the Crusaders.

“Robbie hasn’t talked about his plans to us. He holds things pretty close to his chest.” McCaw said.

The New Zealand Rugby Union were criticised for pulling their stars out of the first seven weeks of the Super 14, but McCaw believes it will pay off.

“The senior players were consulted beforehand, and we were all for it,” McCaw said.

“We saw the benefit of taking place in the conditioning programme and could only see the positives.”

Positives indeed. Fullback Mils Muliaina put on 5kgs and Lock Jason Eaton 8kgs and insiders believe that the players are faster and better all-round, which is a daunting thought for the opposition.

With the Rugby World Cup starting in just under six months, there has been little talk amongst the All Black camp.

“We didn’t discuss the World Cup much throughout our time together,” McCaw said.

“We have started a bit of planning, but that’s about all.

“There was a squad of 22 during the programme, which won’t be the final numbers for France, so there was no sense in talking about it.

“Winning the World Cup is a nice goal to think about, but our main focus right now is with our Super 14 teams.”

The All Blacks will go into the Rugby World Cup as favourites, a tag that can be treated like a curse, but McCaw believes that they will be ready and better organised than the World Cup in Australia four years ago.

“I hope that we will be better prepared,” McCaw said.

“Our coaching staff is a lot more stable than the last World Cup. A lot of the players have been around for a while as well, so we are comfortable around one another.

“I think that we are in better shape heading into the World Cup.”

With the All Blacks clear favourites to win - France, Australia and South Africa are also ranked highly.

When asked how he sat with the ‘favourites’ tag, he was quick to pass judgement.

“It’s hard not to think about it, but we won’t let it get to us,” McCaw said

“I’m proud of our efforts over the last few years.

“We will stay level-headed and tackle each game at a time.”

A harsh reality for All Black fans is that this may be McCaw’s last World Cup, with him coming off contract this year.

With the news that fellow All Blacks Chris Jack, Byron Kelleher and Aaron Mauger will be heading to Europe after the World Cup, McCaw is currently in negotiations with the New Zealand Rugby Union.

“I have been talking to the NZRU about my future. Obviously my preference is to stay in New Zealand,” He said.

“I’m just weighing up everything at the moment and at some point in my career, I’d like to head to Europe to play.”

******

I am so sorry for the picture : it has nothing to do with the article but it had to be posted somewhere here. I do love the last sentence (there is still hope to catch him up there...but we have to wait!).

Thanks a lot Cass (and congratulations!)

******

Je suis desolee, la photo n'a rien a voir avec l'article mais elle se devait d'etre publiee sur ce blog. dans la derniere phrase, notre capitaine prefere confirme qu'il veut bien venir jouer en Europe mais pas pour le moment (pourquoi??) Ca nous laisse quand meme un peu d'espoir (et beaucoup de temps d'attente!)

Merci beaucoup, Cass et felicitations!

ps: la traduction sera en ligne dans la semaine...

Help needed...Notre capitaine a besoin d'aide

Poor baby : first match and already favorite target...


Won't post the score till Monday (as usual). Hopefully they didn't suffer too much!


See you guys on Monday (French time)





*****
Oh le pauvre : premier match et deja cible preferee...


Je ne posterai pas le score avant lundi (comme d'habitude). Esperons seulement que les Crusaders n'ont pas trop souffert!


A lundi tout le monde!

Super 14. Day 8. Preview

Friday
BLUES v NSW WARATAHS
Auckland, * 5.35pm

Saturday
HIGHLANDERS v BULLS
Dunedin, * 4.30pm

CRUSADERS v STRORMERS
Christchurch, * 6.35pm

All eyes will be on the Six Super Saders who return to the starting line-up after their All Black training duties, but more specifically, on two of the world's best players, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw. It's the Crusaders of old - unfortunately for the Stormers - and the Test quality side they've named for this clash leaves no doubts as to the result. The big worry for Kiwi fans is to see the reconditioned internationals start dropping like flies from injuries, after being away from contact rugby for so long. For rugby's sake, let's hope the stars stay fit and deliver the breathtaking football they're capable of. I see Canterbury racing out of the blocks and running up a big half-time lead before cruising to victory with a lacklustre second half as the big names tire. Coach Robbie Deans fears this may be the case and has named a five-two bench to cover for McCaw, Reuben Thorne and Chris Jack.

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Casey Laulala, Aaron Mauger, Scott Hamilton, Daniel Carter, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali'i, Richard McCaw, Reuben Thorne, Chris Jack, Ross Filipo, Campbell Johnstone, Corey Flynn (capt), Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Ben Franks, Michael Paterson, Kieran Read Johnny Leo'o, Kevin Senio, Stephen Brett.

Stormers: Brent Russell, Breyton Paulse, Jean de Villiers, De Wet Barry, Dylan Des Fountain, Peter Grant, Bolla Conradie, Justin Melck, Schalk Burger, Luke Watson (capt), Francois van der Merwe, Ross Skeate, Brok Harris, Schalk Brits, JD Moller. Reserves: Huia Edmonds, Schalk Ferreira, Gerrie Britz, Andries Bekker, JP Joubert, Naas Olivier, Gio Aplon.
Ref: B Bowden (Aus)

QUEENSLAND REDS v CHIEFS
Brisbane, * 8.40pm

Sunday
SHARKS v BRUMBIES
Durban, * 2am

LIONS v HURRICANES
Johannesburg, * 4.10am

This story was found at: http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2007/03/22/1174153253972.html

Interlude

I saw this commercial on Monday and it let me stuck to my chair. It's just too good. The budget was certainly huge since this campaign exists with the King (Jonah Lomu) but also with Becks (Rose's new friend) and another football player.

OK, it doesn't concern Richie (thanks God!) but this commercial has to be watched at least once. Since I dont know how to post videos, here is the YouTube link :
******
J'ai vu cette publicite lundi et elle m'a scotchee tellement je l'ai trouvee bien. Le budget a du etre explose puisque cette campagne montre le Roi Jonah mais aussi David Beckham (le nouvel ami de Rose) et un autre joueur de foot.

D'accord, ca ne concerne pas Richie (Dieu merci!) mais cette pub vaut la peine d'etre regardee au moins une fois. Et puisque je ne sais pas poster les videos ici, voici le lien de YouTube :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA_3CuidTa4

Crusaders training

1.The captain is back but won't take the captaincy this weekend.
Good, because Corey Flynn did a great job when Richie was in the conditionning camps and also because last year, the ABs skipper said it would be normal not to take back the captaincy when he returns since he wouldn't play the beginning of the season.
****
1.Le capitaine est de retour mais ne retrouvera pas le brassard ce weekend. Ce qui parait assez logique puisque Flynn a bien tenu son role lors des 'conditionning camps' de son coequipier.
De plus, le capitaine des ABs a declare en debut de saison qu'il ne reprendrait pas le-dit brassard le jour de son match de reprise (ayant manque la moitie du championnat!)



2.Get a closer look (for fun) : Dan Carter is the 'emblem' of Jockey but his team-mate Stephen Brett also wears this brand.
We are really looking forward to a common commercial with the two Crusaders...just kidding, guys!
****
2.A noter : meme si c'est Dan Carter qui est sous contrat avec Jockey, son coequipier Stephen Brett porte lui aussi les sous-vetements de cette marque.
On attend ave impatience une publicite reunissant les deux numeros 10 des Crusaders...je rigole!

Rugby weekend on the planet.

1. VI Nations

That's done : France gets a trophy at the Stade de France, in Paris (just note the empty stadium...) in 2007.
As we are here on a blog about Richie McCaw, lets hope it's their last trophy of the year on this field ;)

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Ca, c'est fait : le Quinze de France a recu un trophee au SDF (devant une foule en delire d'hommes invisibles!) en 2007.
Ce blog etant dedie au capitaine des All Blacks, il faut esperer que cette coupe sera la seule offerte a l'Equipe de France cette annee ;)


*****
2. Super 14

The Blues remain undefeated (since they didn' play this weekend) as so do the Sharks. The Crusaders are back at the Jade's and win again. Problems with the referee during the match of the Western Force...
Your comments are always welcomed!

****
Les Sharks sont invaincus tout comme les Blues (qui faisaient relache ce weekend). L'ile de Jade retrouve ses stars (qui lui le rendent bien!) Problemes d'abitrage entre la Western Force et les Reds...
Votre point de vue est toujours le bienvenu!

Chiefs v Lions 34-7
W.Force v Reds 38-3
Crusaders v Bulls 32-10
Waratahs v Stormers 10-16
Cheetahs v Brumbies 38-20
Sharks v Hurricanes 27-14
Blues/Highlanders Bye

High-flying McCaw ready for World Cup

The Press
Saturday, 17 March 2007

Near a glidding spot for TVNZ.
January 2006.

Next weekend Richie McCaw begins his World Cup rugby year when he plays his first match for the Crusaders. Richard Knowler talks to the openside flanker about the road leading to the World Cup final in France and life outside the New Zealand rugby bubble.


Anyone with an interest in aviation who visits London's Imperial War Museum cannot help but be captivated by a V1 flying bomb on show.


A forerunner of the modern cruise missile, the V1 was a small, jet powered pilot-less plane that flew at 560kmh across the English Channel to deliver a one-tonne warhead on London during World War 2.

About 2900 V1 and V2 flying bombs were fired on London by the Nazis between June 1944 and March 1945, killing 8938 people and seriously injuring 25,000 others.


For All Blacks captain Richie McCaw there was every incentive to visit the museum when he toured London during last year's All Blacks tour. His grandfather, Flight Commander James McCaw, shot down 20 V1s while flying a Hawker Tempest for 486 (New Zealand) Squadron.

"Yes, it was amazing the technology they had back then, isn't it?," McCaw, himself a keen fixed-wing and glider pilot, says.


For Jack McCaw, who returned to New Zealand and farmed in Kurow after the war, the fear and pressure must have immense.

Later this year, his grandson will feel a different type of tension when he leads the All Blacks to the Rugby World Cup in France, Wales and Scotland.


It will be nothing like the horror of going to war but few New Zealand rugby players will experience such scrutiny.


The expectation on the All Blacks to succeed is building and McCaw hopes to lift the Webb Ellis Cup following the October 21 final in Paris.


Despite none of the top players having represented their Super 14 teams yet, let alone performing in a test match, the All Blacks are already hot favourites to break their 20-year World Cup drought.

As the countdown continues, much focus will be directed towards openside flanker and skipper McCaw. He acknowledges the pressure but believes painful lessons have been absorbed from the 2003 World Cup.


"Leading into that World Cup, after what all the people were saying and the media was writing – we let it influence us. It almost like we were playing and just doing it to keep people quiet," he reflects.

"And that's not quite the right way to go about it because you never win. The team, and personally myself, we have got to the point where we judge what we do on our own standards."


When the 30-man squad prepares for its opening pool match against Italy on September 8, McCaw does not want it harbouring negative thoughts about letting down the New Zealand public. "Instead of thinking `Hell, what if we don't win' and this and that, why don't we look at the other way? You know, how good would it be if we won and it's exciting to be able to go to a World Cup – not, `Oh no the World Cup is coming up.'


"That's the way I try to think about things. I don't think it's taken the heat off me but you just don't go on such a rollercoaster ride."

For McCaw, 26, being a World Cup-winning captain would have its upsides financially and emotionally.

The image of the triumphant skipper will immediately be scattered around the rugby world and beyond. Doors in the business, commercial and sponsorship worlds will be flung open.

He will also have to expect more public recognition outside New Zealand. "I've never really thought about it like that to be honest," he says. "You have got to realise that whatever happens at the World Cup may influence things a little bit but it won't be over the top, I wouldn't have thought."

Already there are few places McCaw can go in New Zealand without being recognised but he accepts that is part of the territory. He also appreciates life as a Kiwi high-profile sports star is far easier than in Europe.

"There are some places you go and others that you stay away from," McCaw says. "But if you compare it to where football placed in the UK or whatever, well-known football players can't live normal lives whereas we are pretty lucky here. There is a bit extra that goes with it but you can still be a normal person."


Following a promotional photo shoot for being the first ambassador of the Meridian Energy Canterbury Rugby Academy , McCaw lounges on a park bench on Oxford Terrace and in 30 minutes of talking to The Press without being interrupted or turning any heads.


"We can sit in here in Christchurch with no worries at all. David Beckham and co couldn't do that – not that I am comparing myself to him or anything like that – but you know what I mean."
One of McCaw's earliest rugby memories was watching the All Blacks win the World Cup final in 1987 but he says he did not understand the significance of the tournament until they lost to the Wallabies in Dublin four years later.

As a teenager at Otago Boys' High School, he rose in the early hours from his dormitory bed to watch the 1995 final and sat in disbelief as the Springboks beat the All Blacks in extra time in the final in Johannesburg.

"The '95 one sticks out because most people believed the All Blacks were the best team at the tournament and the guys were crook. Whether that would have made a difference or not, I don't know.

"I think everyone was in shock. I got up and watched all the other games and thought `Hell, they are going to carry on'. And then they didn't. It was like they can't lose surely? But they did."

With Aaron Mauger and Byron Kelleher already announcing they are off to overseas clubs post-World Cup and Chris Jack also in negotiations with London club Saracens, the obvious question is if McCaw will join the exodus when his contract finishes at the end of the year.

The noises he makes are positive for the New Zealand Rugby Union. He says he is still enjoying his rugby but will not keep signing contracts when his body says it has had enough.
"At the moment I am not looking at going elsewhere but you have to look at all avenues."

If the All Blacks won the World Cup, the hope would be that McCaw will stay in New Zealand for at least two more years to help the new coach maintain the dominance.

McCaw was a deputy dux at OBHS and had almost completed a commerce degree at Lincoln University before rugby commitments took over. McCaw's former teachers and coaches are quick to note his intelligence. Returning to study is something he thinks about, he says, but rugby remains the priority.


Financially, McCaw should be well set up by the time he retires.

All Black captains are estimated to rake in $400,000 to $500,000 a year, so he will not feel the need to rush any decisions about his rugby after-life.


Just what he will do, though, even he does not know.

"It's something I have thought about a lot, at times. Because I think, `Hell, what will I do?' It's all very well to put plans into place now but they keep changing, if you know what I mean."

Away from rugby, McCaw tries to mix with people from outside those circles and says that is why he likes to go gliding down near Omarama or take mates for a whirl in a fixed-wing plane.
Being All Blacks captain means there is potential to mix with successful business people and he enjoys the chance to turn the tables.


"Flying is a huge part of getting away and doing something else because people are so passionate about that and are not too worried about rugby."

Next week McCaw will play his first Super 14 match, representing the Crusaders against the Stormers at Jade Stadium. With the conditioning programme over, he says he feels amped to play.

The return will also mean some lifestyle changes after not having to sacrifice every weekend for the last 3 and a half months.

While he had to train during the week, McCaw revelled in the rare privilege of being able to go away for weekends, whether it was fishing near Great Barrier Island or jumping into his glider near Omarama.

Flying is in his blood and he says the lure of gliding is because it is a "real sport".

"With the gliding you can actually have a thrill on your own and fly around the mountains.
"You get away over the Makarora (river) and Mount Cook and home."

***
pas de traduction non plus, dsl

Small towns breed bigger stars

By TOBY ROBSON -

The Dominion Post

Thursday, 15 March 2007

It may be no coincidence that rugby's dynamic duo – Richie McCaw and Dan Carter – is a product of New Zealand's rural backblocks.

That's the message Australian professor Bruce Abernathy has delivered to the New Zealand Rugby Union's annual high performance conference in Wellington this week.

It seems McCaw and Carter's respective South Island home towns of Hakataramea Valley and Southbridge are the perfect petri dishes for producing sporting champions.

Abernathy, the NZRU's keynote speaker, has presented research that suggests the smaller the town, the bigger the sporting champion and believes it applies to New Zealand rugby.
"That's the theory," the Queensland University professor said yesterday.

"And it's not simply a New Zealand phenomenon, because we know it from what we've learnt in Australia and in North America."

Abernathy said research he helped compile at Queens University in Canada showed less is more when it comes to sporting excellence.

"In the United States about half the population is brought up in cities of less than half a million people. But only 10 to 15 per cent of the country's elite professional athletes come from cities with greater than half a million people. You would expect that figure to be about 50 per cent."

The research covered America's four major sporting codes of baseball, gridiron, basketball and ice hockey with birth places taken from athletes dating back to 1980.
It means 75-80 per cent of America's sporting elite are from small towns and Abernathy said there was plenty to suggest the same applied in New Zealand.

"We have seen similar things in Australia and anecdotally it seems to be the case in New Zealand."
There were several advantages for sportsmen in smaller areas, he said, with perhaps the biggest being greater interaction between different age groups.

"Kids get the chance to play against adults in smaller towns. In larger cities there are plenty of kids and usually a structured school programme, so they are always playing against their peers. In smaller areas they have to make up the numbers, so they often play against adults or older kids. In those situations kids can't dominate on the basis of their strength or speed, so they have to develop strategies and skills to get around it."

All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu has spoken of how he developed his skills growing up in Wainuiomata playing against his older uncles, including Samoan international Earl Va'a and local league legend Ken Laban.

McCaw's Kurow club team usually only fielded 12 players due to lack of numbers.
Carter's home town, Southbridge, has produced Commonwealth Games shooting gold medallist Graeme Ede, world champion jetboater John Heslop and 1980s All Black Albert Anderson.
Rural areas also tended to give children more opportunity to practice and perfect skills, Abernathy said.

"In order to become an expert you need a lot of unstructured practice and you tend to get that more in a rural area. For starters kids tend to stay out doors later at night because there are less safety concerns and that sort of thing can be a problem in bigger cities. There are also issues around access to facilities where there are more people."

A greater exposure to a broader array of different sports was also identified as a constant factor in elite sportsman, he said.

"It allows you to transfer the skills you have learned in one sport to another."
Abernathy said the research could be of great use to New Zealand rugby.

"Without encouraging a mass migration to small towns we want to look at how we might recreate those advantages in major cities."

Currently on leave from the University of Hong Kong, where he is Director of the Institute of Human Performance, Abernathy has a particular interest in skilled movement and has worked extensively with Australian cricket and the AFL

****

pas de traduction pour cet article dsl

Super 14. Day 7. Preview

Friday
Chiefs v Lions

Hamilton, * 5.35pm

Western Force v Queensland Reds
Perth, *9:05pm

Saturday
Crusaders v Bulls
Christchurch, *5.35pm

Crusaders halfback Kevin Senio gets his first start for the year, as does Bulls centre Marius Delport - who is replacing the suspended JP Nel after he tried to smash Rocky Elsom's head off last week. Bulls captain Victor Matfield has been put on the bench by coach Heyneke Meyer, while speedster Bryan Habana and hooker Gary Botha, who both have hamstring problems, must pass fitness tests today to be considered. The Crusaders will be well rested from last week's bye and the players will be keen to fire, knowing that next week their seven All Blacks return from boot camp. With that in mind, the Crusaders will win easily even though the Bulls were excellent last week's demolition of NSW. A bonus point win to the home side. Canterbury second-five Tim Bateman, 19, will be one to watch.

Crusaders: Scott Hamilton, Rico Gear, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, Caleb Ralph, Stephen Brett, Kevin Senio, Mose Tuiali'i, Johnny Leo'o, Kieran Read, Ross Filipo, Michael Paterson, Campbell Johnsone, Corey Flynn (capt), Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Ben Franks, Isaac Ross, Peter Nixon, Andrew Ellis, Tusi Pisi, Brent Ward.

Bulls: Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Akona Ndungane, Marius Delport, Wayne Julies, Bryan Habana, Derick Hougaard, Fourie du Preez (capt), Pedrie Wannenburg, Wickus van Heerden, Danie Rossouw, Francois van Schouwenburg, Bakkies Botha, Danie Thiart, Gary Botha, Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Derick Kuun, Ruan Vermeulen, Victor Matfield, Anton Leonard, Heinie Adams, Morne Steyn, Frikkie Welsh.
Ref: S Dickinson (Aus)

NSW Waratahs v Stormers
Sydney, *7.40pm

Sunday
Cheetahs v ACT Brumbies
Bloemfontein, *2am

Sharks v Hurricanes
Durban, *4.10am

BYE: Highlanders and Blues.

This story was found at: http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2007/03/15/1173722651483.html

Super 14. Day 6. Results

Highlanders v Reds 33-17
Brumbies v Stormers 26-13
W.Force v Hurricanes 18-17
Blues v Lions 41-14
Waratahs v Bulls 19-32
Cheetahs v Sharks 14-30


*****
Know what? the Blues are still leading the championship (good for them) but the Sharks aren't far (with one late match)

Next weekend, big event : the 22 Kiwi players 'suspended' by the ABs staff will play with their team again...AT LAST!

As for the gossip for next season: you all know that Byron Kelleher wants to play in France (and will certainly do). But this Monday, another name was added to the list 'we want him in our Top 14 team' and it's our pic of the day : Nick Evans from Otago.
Just a rumor from Midi Olympique (French rugby weekly newspaper).
Let's see who really comes after the World Cup...after the World Cup!

******
Vous savez quoi? Les Blues sont toujours leaders, devant les Sharks (qui ont un match de retard)
Ce weekend (ENFIN!!!) : retour des 22 internationaux 'suspendus' par Graham Henry&co pour le début du Super14

Bruit de couloirs pour terminer : d'apres le Midol' d'aujourd'hui, Nick Evans ferait parti des bagages de Byron Kelleher la saison prochaine. Encore un nom sur la liste "les All Blacks envahissent la France apres la Coupe du Monde".
On verra bien...apres ladite Coupe!

Super 14. Day 6. preview

HIGHLANDERS V REDS
Dunedin, *5.35pm

Eddie Jones has gone to Japan looking for sumo wrestlers to replace his injured front rowers, while the Highlanders put out their strongest line-up of the season as Nick Evans and Vili Waqaseduadua join forces at last. The Highlanders tested the Blues last week and were a stronger opponent than expected, while the Reds continue to struggle as prop after prop goes down. Having never won in Dunedin, the Reds are no chance of breaking the hoodoo with a lack of up front staff and goal-kicking fullback Clinton Schifcofske. This will blow out - Highlanders to take five points.

Highlanders: G Horton, L Mulipola, M Saunders, A Bancroft, V Waqaseduadua, N Evans, J Cowan, E Taylor, J Blackie (c), C Newby, J Ryan, H MacDonald, C King, J Macdonald, C Dermody. Reserves: D Hall, J McIntosh, K Thompson, A Soaki, T Morland, C Bruce, J. Wilson.

Reds: A Walker, B Va'alu, B Tune, B Barnes, P Hynes, Q Cooper, N Berry, J Roe (c), D Croft, M Chapman, J Horwill, E O'Donoghue, R Blake, S Hardman, H Hunt. Reserves: O Avei, E Skelton, C Treloar, T McVerry, W Genia, L Johansson, C Fetoai.
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Ref: Marius Jonker (SA)

BRUMBIES V STORMERS
Canberra, *7.40pm

The Brumbies were shut out of last week's game by the Bulls. They were never allowed to gain rhythm and got the blues. The Stormers produced a jaw-dropping 80 minutes against the Hurricanes, finally playing to the potential of their talented roster. With Stephen Larkham and Stirling Mortlock still injured, and a general lack of confidence in attack, the Brumbies will suffer another home defeat to the resurgent South Africans, who showed last week they can ruthlessly punish mistakes. This will be a very close contest and I expect the Stormers to develop a lead and just hold off a fast-finishing Brumbies side.

Brumbies: A Ashley-Cooper, C Rathbone, S Mortlock (c), G Fairbanks, M Gerrard, J Huxley, G Gregan, S Hoiles, G Smith, J Salvi, M Chisholm, A Wallace-Harrison, G Shepherdson, J Paul, J Ulugia. Reserves: S Faingaa, N Henderson, P Kimlin, J Tawake, P Phibbs, A Faingaa, F Fainifo.

Stormers: G Aplon, B Paulse, J de Villiers, D Barry, C Uys, P Grant, B Conradie, J Melck, S Burger, L Watson (c), G Britz, A Bekker, E Andrews, S Britz, JD Moller. Reserves: H Edmonds, S Ferreria, R Skeate, F van der Merwe, P.J Joubert, N Oliver, E Seconds.

Ref: Steve Walsh (NZ)

FORCE V HURRICANES
Perth, *9.45pm

Too close to call according to the bookies. Another draw perhaps? No, the Canes either play brilliantly or horribly so there will be a result in Perth. Finally, the over-rated Ma'a Nonu has been dropped to the bench in retaliation for dropping so much ball. He may miss the match altogether if he doesn't recover from injury which is not entirely bad for Wellington, who welcome back the mercurial Conrad Smith to the starting line-up alongside Tana Umaga, who returns from a heel injury. The Force were solid at the ball contest last round and Junior Pelesasa displayed the merits of running straight and hard between the midfield - he won't find Umaga as embracing as Kurtley Beale though. There is a big question mark over young flyhalf Blair Stewart, who replaces Jimmy Gopperth. The Force play passionate rugby and while they lack the flair of the Canes background, they will win this through attrition-style football against a side that struggled to hold the ball last week. A first home win in front of a relieved home crowd, but not until the final bell will they be able to breathe out.

Force: D Mitchell, S Staniforth, R Cross, J Pelesasa, C Shepherd, M Giteau, M Henjak, S Fava, D Pocock, R Brown, N Sharpe (c), D Pusey, T Takiari, T McIsaac, G Hardy. Reserves: B Cannon, A Scott, R Vedelago, M Hodgson, C O'Young, J Hilgendorf, D Ioane.

Hurricanes: C Jane, H Gear, C Smith, T Umaga (c), D Smith, B Stewart, A Mathewson, T Waldrom, S Lilo, L Andrews, B Upton, P Tito, N Tialata, T Kopelani, J Schwalger. Reserves: M Schwalger, A Perenise, B Mika, H Hopgood, C Smylie, J Gopperth, M Nonu/T Ellison S Paku.
Ref: Mark Lawrence (SA)

BLUES V LIONS
Auckland, *5.35pm

Blues coach David Nucifora has shown a high regard for the Lions by leaving Luke McAlister and Isa Nacewa for this one - who can blame him when Auckland are steamrolling all and sundry. Last week's win against Otago took some time but when they put it together the Blues are unstoppable. The Lions have played outstandingly well to record surprise wins over the Highlanders, Crusaders, Force and Reds. People keep writing them off and they keep proving them wrong. Well people, it's safe to write them off here. The Blues at home, even with David Holwell and Sam Tuitupou in the midfield, have far too much power across the field. No.8 Jerome Kaino is living up to the hype of two years ago. It won't be a walkover, but the home side will win by a comfortable margin.

Blues: B Atiga, D Howlett, I Toeava, S Tuitupou, R Wulf, D Holwell, D Gibson, N Williams, D Braid, J Kaino, T Flavell (c), G Rawlinson, J Afoa, D Witcombe, S Taumoepeau. Reserves: C Heard, N White, A Boric, A Macdonald, S Devine, I Nacewa, L McAlister.

Lions: E Rose, L Ludik, J Fourie, D la Grange, J Pretorius, A Pretorius, E Januarie, J Cronje, E Joubert (c), B Grobbelaar, A van Zyl, C Grobler, B Mujati, W Wepener, H Van der Merwe. Reserves: E Reynecke, B Smit, F van der Merwe, W Alberts, J Vermaak, L Strydom, J van Schalwayk.
Ref: Paul Marks (Aus)

WARATAHS V BULLS
Sydney, *7.40pm

Boo hoo. Tahs fans can get used to that term because it won't get much better for their side. They are playing poor, defensive rugby that holds back the natural instinctive talents of some of their players. It will be difficult for Ewen McKenzie to change the tune this week and give his playmakers the go-ahead for fun and flair because the Bulls are dangerous on counter-attacks, especially on the left with Bryan Habana. This makes for another frustrating game for home fans, but at last the Tahs will get back to winning. They have too much riding on this game and will scrape through. Just don't expect a winning streak, this will be a band-aid victory.

Waratahs: P Hewat, M Turinui, B Jacobs, D Halangahu, L Tuqiri, K Beale, B Sheehan, W Palu, D Lyons, R Elsom, W Caldwell, D Mumm, A Baxter, A Freier (c), B Robinson. Reserves: A Manning, M Dunning, B Hand, B Robinson, J Valentine, S Norton-Knight, S Harris.

Bulls: J Roets, J van der Westhuyzen, JP Nel, W Julies, B Habana, D Hougaard, F du Preez, P Wannenburg, W van Heerden, D Rossouw, V Matfield (c), B Botha, D Thiart, G Botha, G Steenkamp. Reserves: J Engels, R Vermeulen, A Leonard, D Kuun, H Adams, M Steyn, A Ndungane.
Ref: Kelvin Deaker (NZ)

CHEETAHS V SHARKS
Bloemfontein, *2am

The Sharks managed to spoil my prediction of a Crusaders win by five to 10 points last week by scoring two minutes after the bell and converting from the sideline to snatch the points. Good on them, they showed they are worthy of being spoken of as title contenders. This week, however, the Cheetahs will hand them their first loss. It will be a huge upset but the home side has played some of the best rugby of the tournament in patches so far and have the ability to run the Sharks pack ragged. If conditions remain hot in Bloemfontein there will be plenty of points to be had, although the South Africans' fondness for kicking may restrict that. The Sharks defence was split open for the first time last week and the Cheetahs can take advantage with their speedy backline. Cheetahs will take this by six or less.

Cheetahs (likely): P Burger, E Fredericks, R Cooke, M Bosman, G Passens, H Kruger, M Claasens, R van der Merwe, J Smith (c), H Scholtz, C van Zyle, F van der Merwe, O de Randt, A Strauss, W Du Preez. Reserves: R Strauss, CJ Van Linde/J de Plessis, K Floors, D Nell, F Oelshig, M Joubert, T Mangweni.

Sharks (likely): P Montgomery, O Ndungane, W Murray, B Barritt, JP Pietersen, B James, R Pienaar, R Kankowski, AJ Venter, J Botes, J Muller, K Ackerman, BJ Botha, J Smit (c), D Carstens. Reserves: B du Plessis, B Mtawarira, A van den Berg, W Britz, K Daniel, R Kockott, A Jacobs.
Ref: JC Fortuin (SA)

BYE: Chiefs and Crusaders.

Conditioning Camp (Wellington)

One Day with the ABs...Un jour avec les All Blacks
Sorry about the presentation...dsl pour la presentation

1.An injuried player in the French team?
Piri Weepu is here for us! Charity Rugby, that pleases me!
********
1.Un blesse dans le Quinze de France?
Pas de probleme, Piri Weepu sera toujours la pour nous! Le rugby, ca c'est un sport d'entraide!


2.Dan Carter, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Nick Evans, Leon Mcdonald : ALL OUT!
No worries : Captain Richie is always here to serve his country!
**********
2.Carter, McAlister, McDonald, Mauger, Evans : hors circuit, et c'est le capitaine qui botte, toujours pret pour servir la patrie!










3. Any volunteer to take Ali Williams's place?
Come on, guys, don't you wanna hug the Captain...
*******
3.Le staff des All Blacks recherche des volontaires pour prendre la place d'Ali Williams.
Indice : vous serez dans les bras du capitaine....alors?







4. Richie is very disappointed ; no one took Ali Williams's place...so he ended his day quite normally : reading the press (and smiling to the photographer!)

*******
4. RMC est super decu ; personne n'a voulu voler la place d'Ali...il est donc rentre tout seul a l'hotel ou il n'avait rien d'autre a faire que lire le journal (et sourire au photographe!)

Richie's Women...Les femmes de Richie

Today (Thursday, March 8th, 2007) is Women's day here in France (and in many other countries). As a friend of mine would say, Does it mean that the reest of the year is Men's Day?

I hope no.

Anyway, I chose today to publish pictures of two women who (I am sure) mean a lot to our favorite player :

- his mother Margareth (and his dad, sorry Sir, I didn't find a picture of your wife without you! I hope you won't mind)

- and his little sister Joanna (good Netball player, representing the Canterbury Flames)

May all the women all around the world spend a nice day (today of course, but also every day of the year!)

*****

Aujourd'hui, jeudi 8 mars 2007, c'est la journee de la Femme (en France mais aussi dans beaucoup d'autres pays). Une de mes amies se demande toujours si cela signifie que la journee de l'Homme, c'est le reste de l'annee? J'espere que non!

Bref, j'ai choisi cette journee speciale pour publier la photo de deux femmes qui comptent beaucoup pour notre capitaine prefere :
- sa maman Margareth (avec son papa aupres duquel je m'excuse, mais je n'ai pas trouve de photo de la maman sans le papa...j'espere qu'il ne m'en voudra pas)

-et sa petite soeur Joanna (tres bonne joueuse de Netball a Canterbury et dont les divers reporters disent le plus grands bien -je leur fait confiance, parce que le netball, je ne maitrise pas encore!!!)

A toutes les femmes :

passez une bonne journee (et pas seulement le 8 mars, mais du 1er janvier au 31 decembre!)

Super 14. Day 5. Results....

Another defeat for the defending champions (so close and so far!), another victory for the Blues (who are the current leaders of this tournament), that's all I can say to sum up these results...Note two 'nil' matches (16 all and 22 all).

Totally out of context, two things to note :

- Argentina in the Tri Nations!!!! Help me for the propaganda...

- As we are all preparing the 2007 World Cup, some have other things in mind (picture from a press conference in Auckland about the...2011 World Cup !)

*******

Une autre defaite pour les tenants du titre qui menaient 26/20, une autre victoire pour les Blues (leaders du championnat), c'est tout ce que l'on peut retenir de ces resultats...A noter deux matches nuls (ca sent le foot!)

Totallement hors sujet, mais on doit en parler :

-Vive l'Argentine dans les Tri Nations!!! Faites passer le message...

-Pendant que nous sommes en pleine preparation pour la CDM 2007, d'autres ne perdent pas le Nord (photo lors d'une conference de presse a Auckland pour la CDM...2011!)

Blues v Highlanders 28-9
Waratahs v W.Force 16-16
Cheetahs v Chiefs 22-22
Hurricanes v Stormers 17-30
Brumbies v Bulls 7-19
Reds v Lions 20-26
Sharks v Crusaders 27-26

Rose's article (English)

The Big Interview: Richie McCaw

November 05, 2006

PAUL KIMMAGE

The New Zealand captain has driven his team to new heights with his energy on the field, but is remarkably relaxed off it It is October 1943, and Flight Commander James “Mack” McCaw and Flight Lieutenant William “Dusty” Miller of 486 (New Zealand) Squadron are engaged in a ground attack mission over France when their Hawker Typhoons are hit by anti-aircraft fire near Paris.

Smoke stretching for more than 100 yards billows from the stricken aircraft, but as the pilots climb and prepare to bail out, the flames suddenly extinguish and they manage to nurse the damaged fighters back to their base in West Sussex.

Later that evening when they sit down to compile a report, their near-death experience is described in a mere six words: “Hit by flak, landed at Tangmere.” The 486 motto (written in Maori) is Hiwa Hau Maka, or Beware of the Wild Winds. The adventure is dismissed as just another day at the office.

RICHIE McCAW is studying a portrait of his face taken moments after the 21-20 defeat to South Africa at Rustenburg in September. It was his 10th Test as All Blacks captain and the first in which he had tasted defeat. The losing stare on his sweat-stained face is accentuated by a gash under his left eye that looks as if it has been carved with a Stanley knife.

“There must be an easier way to make a living,” I suggest.

“Well, you would think so, wouldn’t you?” he says, laughing. “But it’s fun.”

“You’ll have to explain that to me.”

“Well, pictures like that wouldn’t suggest it, but it really is fun.”

“It looks bloody sore,” I observe.

“No,” he says with a shrug, “you don’t notice it in the game when the adrenaline is pumping.”

"How did it happen?”

“I just got clipped in a ruck by a stray arm or elbow,” he explains. “They usually take you off and stitch it, but they’re using this new staple gun now, so you’re not off the field for too long. Bang, bang, bang and you’re back out there. Then they whip the staples out at the end of the game and stitch it up.”

“How many stitches?” “Six or seven, but the doc did a good job. The scar is not too bad.”
I show him a photo from a different game of blood pumping from another eye.

“Yeah,” he says, smiling, “I’ve probably split each eyebrow 30 times, and I’ve split both cheekbones at least half-a-dozen times . . . so it’s not unusual, but some days you wake up on a Sunday morning and ask yourself why you do it.”

“And how do you answer?”

“Well,” he replies, “I suppose it’s just one of the hazards of my position. Obviously as an openside flanker you’re into contact a fair bit and if I don’t get among that, somebody else will. That’s the attitude you need to play in that position. Sometimes, when you haven’t played for a while, it can hurt — and I know it’s going to hurt in this first game against England — but the body becomes accustomed to it and you learn to deal with it . . . Don’t ask what I’m going to be like when I’m 30- or 40-odd, but we’ll worry about that then.”

HIGH above the clouds over Kent in July 1944, as he chased another V1 flying bomb bound for London, Jim McCaw wouldn’t have dared to dream of what his life would be when he was 30- or 40-odd — he had seen too many friends perish in the war.

Commitment to the cause was imperative when intercepting the missiles; they were launched at a speed of 350mph and once they had slipped the anti-aircraft guns on the coast, a pilot had two or three minutes to destroy them before they reached London. The level of skill required was extraordinary. So were the risks.

Twenty-nine New Zealanders are credited with destroying five or more of the many V1s launched against Britain. McCaw, whose personal tally was a remarkable 20, was the first squadron pilot to intercept four bombs during a single patrol. It happened one evening, early that July, while he was flying a Hawker Tempest on a sortie near Biggin Hill; when he landed it was almost midnight. He was 25 years old.

A COLD, grey Monday afternoon in Christchurch. It is a week before the All Blacks depart for England. Richie McCaw arrives for the interview wearing a blue adidas track-top, casual denim shorts and a smile that is instantly engaging. Six months have passed since he was appointed the All Blacks’ 60th Test captain, and although widely acclaimed as the world’s best openside flanker, he remains unaffected. “I’m just a typical New Zealand farm boy, really,” he says.

Has he seen the huge billboard on Durham Street of his teammate, the fly-half Daniel Carter, I ask.

“Not yet, but I’ve heard about it.”

“You haven’t seen it?” “No,” he replies. “Do I need to have a look? Apparently there has been some bad driving around there with people gawking at it.”

“You haven’t yet been approached to pose in your underwear?”

“Personally it is not something I’d do.”

“Really? What if I offered you four hundred grand? You strike me as a practical man.”

“Yeah, and it would be tough to refuse, but it’s just not something I’d do, to be honest . . . but everyone is different. Dan takes it pretty well, but then very little phases him.”

“You’re uncomfortable in the spotlight?”

"I can be at times,” McCaw says. “I grew up on a farm down south and coming from my background, I never imagined it would be like that, but what can you do about it? New Zealand is a pretty small place and rugby is put up on a pedestal here and it would be nice sometimes to go to the shops or for a beer without anyone coming up to you. But every time I think that, I ask myself, ‘Well, would I rather be doing anything else?’ And the answer is always ‘no’.”

“You’re not married?” I inquire.

“Or attached,” he smiles.

“Where’s home?” “I have my own house here in Shirley (a suburb of Christchurch).”

“I read somewhere that you don’t live alone.”

"Yeah, I’ve always had flatmates. I have one at the moment, and it has always been people I haven’t played rugby with. It’s nice to come home and talk about something else other than rugby. And it’s good to have someone to look after the house when I go away.”

“How do you feel about this tour to Europe? It’s an important trip for the team.”

“Yeah, it is. I am excited about it because I haven’t played for a while and the four Tests we’re going to play are a big challenge. I have always enjoyed the tours to the UK and Europe, and with the World Cup finishing this time next year, it’s a bit of a test run and a chance to look at things we need to work on.

“I still love pulling on my boots and going out to play on Saturday. When you get the chance to travel the world and to play for the All Blacks, you’ve got to make the most of it.”

AFTER the war, many of those who returned to New Zealand preferred to put history behind them and rarely spoke of the horrors they had witnessed. Jim McCaw was not one of them. He married, raised three fine boys on the family farm in Kurow and opened a gliding school where he imparted his love of flying to his sons and regaled them with stories from his former life.

The McCaws had farmed in the Hakataramea valley since 1893, when Jim’s grandfather, Alexander, had uprooted his family from their home in the Scottish Borders and made the long journey south in search of a better life. Otago wasn’t paradise. Summers on the farm were hot and droughty; winters were harsh and bitterly cold.

When Donald McCaw, the second of Jim’s sons, met Margaret, a woman of similar descent from mid-Canterbury, he applied himself to the demands of married life as his father had done before: working the land but dreaming of greener pastures. On New Year’s Eve 1980, Margaret gave birth to a son. They called him Richie.

“WHEN you grow up on a farm, you learn to do a lot of things pretty young,” McCaw explains, as we begin tracing his life. He was driving trucks around the farm with his father when he was five; he was flying gliders around Otago with his grandfather when he was nine; but it was not until he left home for a boarding school in Dunedin that he discovered the passion that would dominate his life. “I played a bit of cricket and loved it,” he recalls, “but the only sport anyone was interested in was rugby and I wanted to play from my first day in school.” It was during his last year at Otago Boys’ High School that McCaw first made his name as a player, after a brilliant display in a drawn secondary school rugby final with Rotorua. A year later, he left home to study agriculture at Lincoln University in Christchurch and won a place on the New Zealand Under-19 squad for the world championship in Wales.

“Mark Shaw, the former All Black, was the coach,” he says, “and I remember him handing out the jerseys one day and saying, ‘Well, now that you’ve tasted what it’s like to wear a black jersey, there is no reason why anyone here can’t one day be an All Black’. It was the first time it actually hit me that the dream we all have as kids wasn’t so far away, and that if I put the work in, it was something I might achieve.”

Two years later, after some fine performances for Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship of 2001, McCaw was named in his first All Blacks squad for the end-of-season tour to Europe and made his debut against Ireland in Dublin. Four moments endure:

(1) The moment he learnt of his selection.

“No matter how many games you play, it’s never the same as that first time you hear your name being read out. I was listening to the radio with my parents at a friend’s house in Christchurch and I just sat there thinking, ‘Phew’. Someone popped a bottle of champagne. I remember saying, ‘What would you have done if I hadn’t made it?’”

(2) The moment he was handed his first All Blacks jersey.
“The tradition back then was to go and pick it up from the manager’s room a few hours before the game. I remember taking it back to my room, staring at the embroidery and trying it on. It felt surreal.”

(3) The moment he felt his bowel beginning to shift during the warm-up.
“I couldn’t eat before the game; I was excited about playing, but shitting myself that I would make a fool of myself. A few of the guys on the team played for Canterbury and they told me to just do what I do and not to worry about the other stuff. And once the game started it was all remarkably clear.”

(4) The moment he was presented with his official Test tie.
“I remember after the game we were presented with our Test tie and cap and someone made a speech about joining the ‘All Black club’. That’s when I really felt like an All Black. Up until that stage I had been with the team and had been named on the team, but until you get that game under your belt, you’re still not an All Black.

“And then, about a week later, someone said, ‘It’s all very well being an All Black, but lots of people become All Blacks — the goal for you now is to become a great All Black’. And that stuck with me. I thought, ‘Being here is not enough; you’ve got to do something while you’re here’.”

McCaw made steady progress in the season that followed, winning five of the six Test matches he played, but a year later, at the 2003 World Cup in Australia, he got a taste of what his grandfather had experienced over Paris, when he glanced over his shoulder and saw his world going up in flames.

The build-up had started in June with a narrow defeat to England in Wellington. “They played quite well, but there wasn’t much in it, so it was quite a good eye- opener for us leading into the World Cup. We thought, ‘That’s where we’ve got to get to’. But we also had the feeling that England may not be too much better than that and we would improve.”

The All Blacks did improve. Two weeks later they beat France in Christchurch and then laid down a marker with resounding wins over South Africa and Australia. “I remember not really focusing on the World Cup until the Tri-Nations was over and the World Cup squad was announced. We had just thumped the Aussies and the Africans and I remember thinking, ‘Jeez, we could win this’.

“We had six weeks of camp leading into it and all of a sudden we are there and the work is done and everything is sorted until that last game (the semi-final against Australia) when everything is a blur and we’ve lost and it’s the end of our World Cup. That game really hurt. It still really hurts. If we had played our best and got beaten by a better team, it would have been easier to accept, but we went out and didn’t perform. They won because they wanted it more than us.”

“How tough was the dressing room afterwards?” I ask.

“It’s not a good memory, to be honest,” he says. “Obviously you’ve got to deal with the media, and that was quite tough, but the hardest thing was the feeling that you had let your mates down and let the people down because you hadn’t performed. I remember thinking, ‘I hope I get another go at this’.

“There are probably about 14 or 15 players still in the All Blacks who played that semi-final in 2003, but looking back, a lot of us were pretty inexperienced and didn’t really understand what it takes to win a tournament like that. England knew how to win tough games and that’s what got them through in the end. Hopefully we will learn from the experience.”

McCaw was acclaimed as New Zealand’s best player in 2003 and looked set to continue his march on the pantheon in June the next year, when the new world champions travelled to Dunedin for the opening Test of the season. However, he was escorted off the field with concussion after a nasty clash of heads. He sat out the second Test in Auckland and returned for 70 minutes a week later against Argentina, but was still battling dizziness and was substituted again.

Withdrawn from the rest of the All Blacks home campaign, he didn’t play for three months. Rumours began to circulate that he might have a problem. “Up until then I had never missed a game in my whole career,” he explains. “I thought, ‘You’ve got concussion, but it will come right’, and I’d start each week thinking, ‘I’m definitely going to play’, and I’d go training and feel knackered and get headaches .. . although headaches is probably not the right word, it was more a sense that something wasn’t right.”

In November 2004 he returned for the All Blacks end-of-season tour to Europe, captaining the team for the first time against Wales, but he was knocked out again the following April during a Super 12 game in South Africa. “There was a lot of talk about another head injury and, ‘Should you be playing?’ and it started to get me down for a bit. I thought, ‘When is it going to be right?’ I went to visit a young kid who had broken his neck playing rugby at a spinal unit in Christchurch and thought, ‘Why am I playing this game?’

“Then I went down through the ward and there was this middle-aged guy with kids who was totally paralysed from the neck down. I asked what happened and he said, ‘Oh, I took my family to Fiji on holiday and got dumped in a wave’, and that put a new perspective on things. I came away thinking, ‘Well, it could happen anywhere. Life is too short to worry about what might happen; you’ve got to do what you enjoy’.”

A month later, in May 2005, McCaw returned to training with his club, Crusaders. He was soon slamming into tackle bags and pummelling his teammates with abandon. The coach, Robbie Deans, has rarely been more impressed. “It was bloody scary,” he said. “The volume of work he was doing was staggering. He was all over the park, knocking his teammates around.” And in June, when the Lions arrived for their much-trumpeted visit, McCaw was back to his best.

“It was the only thing anyone was thinking about through the whole early part of that year. Graham Henry had been on a Lions tour as a coach and we knew it was really important to him. You couldn’t have asked for better as a Kiwi than to win three-zip. It’s probably some of the best rugby we’ve played as an All Black team.”

McCaw was one of five players nominated for the 2005 International Rugby Board player of the year award. His performances as captain of the All Blacks have been inspirational in his eight games at the helm this year. A national rugby magazine recently published his stats after the Tri-Nations championship (Appearances: 6; Minutes played: 469; Tries: 2; Tackles: 89; Turnovers forced: 19; Lineouts won: 12; Kick-off receptions: 13; Breakdown clear-outs: 74) and acclaimed him as the team’s most valuable player. He dismisses the plaudits with a shrug.

"You dream of being an All Black; you dream of playing a lot of Tests, but you never, ever dream of being a captain of the All Blacks. It’s a huge honour and so far it has gone okay. You’ve got to go out and deliver on the field before pointing the finger at others or asking them to do other things. The guy that stands at the back gassing but who doesn’t deliver — people turn off those guys pretty quick.”

He is 25, the same age his grandfather was when he returned to New Zealand after the war, and though Richie’s battles have not quite finished yet, there is no escaping the sense that they have been cut from the same cloth. Jim died peacefully at the age of 77 in 1996.

“We had a pretty good relationship,” his grandson says, smiling. “I learnt to fly in the same place as he learnt to fly and he used to tell me stories about the war all the time. It would have been awesome if he had lived to see me playing for the All Blacks. I think he would have enjoyed that.”

Picture from February 15th, 2007

VF à

http://marylanceron.blogspot.com/2007/11/roses-article-francais.html

Super 14. Day 5. Preview

I'm being lazy ; I've just found this great article on Rugby Heaven and I chose to post it without touching it. I just put off the 'bet amount thing' --because it's forbidden in France
Maybe I'll do it before every Super 14 day because the previews are objective --unlike mine!-- and pretty good
You can check the real article (the link is at the bottom of the article)

ps : you won't have the Blues' result before the end of the Day 5...just a pic to wait! Good to see Dougie on the field!

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Je deviens faineante...j'ai trouve cet article sur Rugby Heaven et je le poste sans y toucher (pas tellement vrai : j'ai retire les cotes de chaque equipe ; les paris sont interdits ici!)
Si ca vous va, je le referai avant chaque journee : les 'previews' sont objectives (en tout cas plus que les miennes) et pas trop mauvaises
Pour le vrai article, le lien est en bas

ps : pas de score pour les Blues avant la fin officielle de la journee...juste une photo pour attendre! et ca fait du bien de revoir D.Howlett!

BLUES v HIGHLANDERS
Auckland, Friday 5.35pm

NSW WARATAHS v WESTERN FORCE
Sydney, Friday 7.40pm

CHEETAHS v CHIEFS
Bloemfontein, Saturday 4.10am

HURRICANES v STORMERS
Palmerston North, Saturday 5.05pm

ACT BRUMBIES v BULLS
Canberra, Saturday 7.10pm

REDS v LIONS
Brisbane, Saturday 9.15pm

SHARKS v CRUSADERS
Durban, Sunday 2am

The match of the round. The Sharks have made a wonderful start to the year without being brilliant, while the Cantabrians showed off their point-scoring prowess last week. Back to their best form, the Crusaders displayed a crisp and confident game of clever kicks and on-the-money passes, led by five-eighth Stephen Brett. Winger Rico Gear returns to bolster the vistors' attack after missing the last game through injury. The Sharks have been the most frugal side defensively this year and are undefeated so the challenge will be a massive one for Canterbury - but they will win this. Their front row stepped up a notch in the last game and the centre pairing of Casey Laulala and Rua Tipoki is developing very well. Percy Montgomery will be big threat, not only with his goal-kicking but also by joining the backline, and gaining yardage through his punting in general play. Playmaker Butch James has yet to find his best though. Crusaders will get home by five to 10 points.

Sharks: Percy Montgomery, Odwa Ndungane, Waylon Murray, Brad Barritt, JP Pietersen, Butch James, Ruan Pienaar, Ryan Kankowski, AJ Venter, Jacques Botes, Johann Muller, Johan Ackermann, BJ Botha, John Smit (capt), Deon Carstens. Reserves: Bismarck du Plessis, Beast Mtawarira, Albert van den Berg, Warren Britz, Keegan Daniel, Rory Kockott, Adrian Jacobs

Crusaders: Scott Hamilton, Rico Gear, Casey Laulala, Rua Tipoki, Caleb Ralph, Stephen Brett, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali'i, Johnny Leo'o, Kieran Read, Michael Paterson, Ross Filipo, Campbell Johnsone, Corey Flynn, (captain), Ben Franks. Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett, Isaac Ross, Peter Nixon, Kevin Senio, Tusi Pisi, Brent Ward.
Ref: S Dickinson (Aus).

This story was found at: http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2007/03/01/1172338800436.html