Monday, November 26, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Crean's country
by mike crean
The road buzzes with traffic as I climb away from the Waitaki River, opposite Kurow, and descend to the Hakataramea Valley. It's 9am. On the normally lonely road, about 20 cars flash past me.
They are leaving the sparsely populated inland South Canterbury basin. There can be hardly anyone left in Haka. Valley this mroning.
I know of no natural disater that these people are escaping. There must be a ewe fair somewhere, or a funeral to attend.
For the next half hour, I drive the empty roads of the deserted valley. A harrier hawk lumbers reluctantly into the air from its roadside carrion feast. A pair of oyster-catchers zips low over the tussock grassland with loud squawks.
Far off I hear a hammer tapping. Bonfire smoke billows above pine trees behind the old school.
Then I saa a couple of residents having morning tea on their veranda. They are Lynne & Fred Blackie and they confirm most of the district has gone to the funeral of an old valley identity in Timary at 11am.
The Blackies have lived here 20y. They are like sentries, keeping an eye on things.
They have noticed an increase in visitors to the Valley in the last few years, people poking about, peering left & right, then driving away again. They put the place's new-found popularity down to Richie McCaw. This All blacks captain country. McCaw put his home territory on the map.
Time has changed since McCaw grew up here in the 1980s. He attended Haka. Valley School. It was well supported by the community and boasted a covered, heated swimming pool. It closed in 2005. The Ministry of Education judged the children would benefit socially from a bigger school in Kurow, and the daily bus trip there and back.
The Blackies say the school was the focal point of the valley, bec. there was no hall or pub. The community used the local facilities for functions & meetings. Now it has been sold valley residents are at a loss.
The buyer of the school once lived in the valley but left to set up a motorcycle trekking operation at Queenstown. He has plans for something similar here.
Another school stood 30km north, at the head of this long, wide valley. Cattle Creek School managed to hang on a year longer, sustained by the strength of its small & close community wedged into the vee where the valley becomes rolling foothills that run back to the Kirkliston range on the west and the Hunter Hills on the east.
A rough road leads from there, over Haka. Pass to Dog Kennel Corner, near Tekapo. It is the only way out, except for a four-wheel-drive track, through the hills towards Waimate.
John Bartlett was principal the Haka. Valley when McCaw started school. He rememberes the boy as big & robust, and inclined to be a bit fiery if things weren't going well. Rugby players the world over will agree with that.
Teaching there was paradise, bec. the community was fantastic, Bartlett says.the Blackies agree -the best thing about the valley is the commnuity. Or was ; as many old families have left in the last 10y, as big farming companies have swept in & bought up land. Only one McCaw remains, an uncle of Richie.
The companies slashed numbers of farm workers, hiring contractors for the big jobs. they paid such high prices for farms that land values soared, making it difficult for local young people to own their own places.
A couple of farm houses have been bought by Americans who take fishing holidays here a few months each year.Haka. Station's 139y-old, 24 stand limestome woolshed testifies that the valley has long ridden on the sheep's back.
However, grapes have been planted recently & more are coming.Bartlett says the valley was a virtual dustbowl after the nor'westers dried it out each spring. The Blackies say keeping a good garden is difficult withe the limited water supplu. Irrigation is changing that.
For many years a mobile kindergarden, based 65km away in Waimate, visited Haka. Valley once a week. Two teachers brought their equipment in a van & taught children in the old school house. The community had renoved the old house when the new one came in 1975. Since both shool houses were sold, the community has opened a playcenter at the valley's gun-club premises.
The new school was brought to Haka. Valley on a truck in 1975. the climb up the hill from the Waitaki side proved too steep & the house fell off. Bulldozers had to drag it back onto the road, where it was lifted onto the truck again.
Lucky there was no funeral that day...
Personal comment : Life in the country is a blessing one should daily enjoy :)
The road buzzes with traffic as I climb away from the Waitaki River, opposite Kurow, and descend to the Hakataramea Valley. It's 9am. On the normally lonely road, about 20 cars flash past me.
They are leaving the sparsely populated inland South Canterbury basin. There can be hardly anyone left in Haka. Valley this mroning.
I know of no natural disater that these people are escaping. There must be a ewe fair somewhere, or a funeral to attend.
For the next half hour, I drive the empty roads of the deserted valley. A harrier hawk lumbers reluctantly into the air from its roadside carrion feast. A pair of oyster-catchers zips low over the tussock grassland with loud squawks.
Far off I hear a hammer tapping. Bonfire smoke billows above pine trees behind the old school.
Then I saa a couple of residents having morning tea on their veranda. They are Lynne & Fred Blackie and they confirm most of the district has gone to the funeral of an old valley identity in Timary at 11am.
The Blackies have lived here 20y. They are like sentries, keeping an eye on things.
They have noticed an increase in visitors to the Valley in the last few years, people poking about, peering left & right, then driving away again. They put the place's new-found popularity down to Richie McCaw. This All blacks captain country. McCaw put his home territory on the map.
Time has changed since McCaw grew up here in the 1980s. He attended Haka. Valley School. It was well supported by the community and boasted a covered, heated swimming pool. It closed in 2005. The Ministry of Education judged the children would benefit socially from a bigger school in Kurow, and the daily bus trip there and back.
The Blackies say the school was the focal point of the valley, bec. there was no hall or pub. The community used the local facilities for functions & meetings. Now it has been sold valley residents are at a loss.
The buyer of the school once lived in the valley but left to set up a motorcycle trekking operation at Queenstown. He has plans for something similar here.
Another school stood 30km north, at the head of this long, wide valley. Cattle Creek School managed to hang on a year longer, sustained by the strength of its small & close community wedged into the vee where the valley becomes rolling foothills that run back to the Kirkliston range on the west and the Hunter Hills on the east.
A rough road leads from there, over Haka. Pass to Dog Kennel Corner, near Tekapo. It is the only way out, except for a four-wheel-drive track, through the hills towards Waimate.
John Bartlett was principal the Haka. Valley when McCaw started school. He rememberes the boy as big & robust, and inclined to be a bit fiery if things weren't going well. Rugby players the world over will agree with that.
Teaching there was paradise, bec. the community was fantastic, Bartlett says.the Blackies agree -the best thing about the valley is the commnuity. Or was ; as many old families have left in the last 10y, as big farming companies have swept in & bought up land. Only one McCaw remains, an uncle of Richie.
The companies slashed numbers of farm workers, hiring contractors for the big jobs. they paid such high prices for farms that land values soared, making it difficult for local young people to own their own places.
A couple of farm houses have been bought by Americans who take fishing holidays here a few months each year.Haka. Station's 139y-old, 24 stand limestome woolshed testifies that the valley has long ridden on the sheep's back.
However, grapes have been planted recently & more are coming.Bartlett says the valley was a virtual dustbowl after the nor'westers dried it out each spring. The Blackies say keeping a good garden is difficult withe the limited water supplu. Irrigation is changing that.
For many years a mobile kindergarden, based 65km away in Waimate, visited Haka. Valley once a week. Two teachers brought their equipment in a van & taught children in the old school house. The community had renoved the old house when the new one came in 1975. Since both shool houses were sold, the community has opened a playcenter at the valley's gun-club premises.
The new school was brought to Haka. Valley on a truck in 1975. the climb up the hill from the Waitaki side proved too steep & the house fell off. Bulldozers had to drag it back onto the road, where it was lifted onto the truck again.
Lucky there was no funeral that day...
Personal comment : Life in the country is a blessing one should daily enjoy :)
Please VOTE!
http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/view-poll-results.html?section_id=22363&poll_id=15532&option_id=25676
Is Richie McCaw still the best man to be All Blacks captain?
Yes - he's inspirational and should stay on (157v, 62.3%)
No - take a load off his shoulders and let him simply play (95v, 37.7%)
No - take a load off his shoulders and let him simply play (95v, 37.7%)
Results at 11am French time, Thursday November 22nd.
If the link doesn't work, the pool is on this page :
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Southern news from the Local Spy!
Again, I literally copied what Izzy sent to some of us -just in case the others have heard about the meeting... 
Has anyone else heard anything more about it? Sounds like they are going to be talking about law/rule reviews etc...."
The transcript of the article (about the Haka Valley)will be published this week (I don't have time today but will have time this week!)
Bye for now...
"This article was in The Press yesterday. Okay it's not exactly about Richie, but it mentions him a little and about the Hakataramea Valley where he comes from."
There was mention in an article in the paper today - Sunday Star Times, about some sort of IRB conference on the 26 November in the UK (in Woking), and it mentioned the following were going to be there (along with rep's from other countries) - Chris Moller, Steve Tew, Jock Hobbs, Graham Mourie, Rob Nichol & Richie McCaw.
Has anyone else heard anything more about it? Sounds like they are going to be talking about law/rule reviews etc...."Friday, November 16, 2007
ma vie...: FAQ article
Here it is, just click on the title of this article or on the link below and you'll reach the "Richie McCaw for Dummies" article... just kidding...
Bye :)
"Crusader Doll" made by Nita, borrowed by MaryL-sorry again...
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
ma vie...: videos alternative rugby commentary#links#links
I can't post them directly here so there they are :) enjoy...
All Blacks, frocks and shocks at the races (nz herald)
Tuesday November 13, 2007
After a fine start to the day, dark clouds rolled in and brought brief squally showers and some strong wind gusts, which knocked over umbrellas this afternoon.
Many of the punters briefly sought cover from the elements, but soon re-emerged as the clouds lifted.
Last year, more than 125,000 people attended the 10-day festival, putting $27 million into the local economy.
Of the 51,000 who attended racing events, new research showed about 14 per cent travelled from the North Island or overseas. About 40 per cent of visitors to the Royal New Zealand Show were from "offshore locations".
"It's the quintessential Canterbury festival," said Christchurch City Council events development manager Jo Blair.
Auckland was trying to emulate Christchurch's carnival atmosphere with its annual Auckland Cup Week Carnival in March, which Mrs Blair called a "real compliment".
"Our event will always be that much more authentic, though."
Addington Raceway is expected to host 25,000 people for the New Zealan
d Cup Day today, and more than $2 million is likely to be wagered by the punters at the racecourse.
"The week after the Melbourne Cup, everyone wants to get rid of the winter blues, especially those in the South Island," said raceway chief executive Mike Godber.
Keeping tens of thousands of visitors fed and watered is no small task.
The raceway has stocked 30 pallets of beer, 20,000 bottles of wine, 5000 pies and 4000 hot dogs, and 100 portable toilets will be on site.
The carnival week is not all fun, however. Police warn that lots of people and too much drink can be a dangerous combination, and the carnival week also provides "easy pickings for the burglar and car thief".
The threat of wild weather has not deterred thousands of punters from the country's big day of horse racing in Christchurch today.
A crowd of 25,000 had been expected as the well-dressed throngs packed into Addington Raceway for New Zealand Cup Day - the biggest on the calendar in Christchurch's Cup and Show Week.
A crowd of 25,000 had been expected as the well-dressed throngs packed into Addington Raceway for New Zealand Cup Day - the biggest on the calendar in Christchurch's Cup and Show Week. After a fine start to the day, dark clouds rolled in and brought brief squally showers and some strong wind gusts, which knocked over umbrellas this afternoon.
Many of the punters briefly sought cover from the elements, but soon re-emerged as the clouds lifted.
Last year, more than 125,000 people attended the 10-day festival, putting $27 million into the local economy.
Of the 51,000 who attended racing events, new research showed about 14 per cent travelled from the North Island or overseas. About 40 per cent of visitors to the Royal New Zealand Show were from "offshore locations".
"It's the quintessential Canterbury festival," said Christchurch City Council events development manager Jo Blair.
For well over 100 years it's been very established and firmly planted on the social calendar. We knew it was loved by the local people, but we didn't realise it would have such a pull for North Islanders and Australians as well."
This year the council was marketing the carnival week to North Islanders, telling them "it's not just about the sheep and horse-racing, it's about celebrating the uniqueness of Christchurch, and the produce, and the nightlife".
Auckland was trying to emulate Christchurch's carnival atmosphere with its annual Auckland Cup Week Carnival in March, which Mrs Blair called a "real compliment".
"Our event will always be that much more authentic, though."
Addington Raceway is expected to host 25,000 people for the New Zealan
d Cup Day today, and more than $2 million is likely to be wagered by the punters at the racecourse. "The week after the Melbourne Cup, everyone wants to get rid of the winter blues, especially those in the South Island," said raceway chief executive Mike Godber.
Keeping tens of thousands of visitors fed and watered is no small task.
The raceway has stocked 30 pallets of beer, 20,000 bottles of wine, 5000 pies and 4000 hot dogs, and 100 portable toilets will be on site.
The carnival week is not all fun, however. Police warn that lots of people and too much drink can be a dangerous combination, and the carnival week also provides "easy pickings for the burglar and car thief".
Police warn that some burglars specialise in Cup and Show Week and target packed motels.
"Motels are often an easy target for thieves who know that doors tend be left unlocked for latecomers to get in," said Senior Sergeant Peter Laloli.
"Motels are often an easy target for thieves who know that doors tend be left unlocked for latecomers to get in," said Senior Sergeant Peter Laloli.
Photos :
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The growing Richie Girls Whanau
Chatting on the chatterbox is fun ; but chatting elsewhere is better...
But our main means of communication being the Internet, I'd like to know who is where : bebo? myspace? facebook? other site?
If you -of course- want to share your life with the other Richie Girls, feel free to use the comment section below to give information about your cyber-world...
I am on MySpace and Bebo --not on Facebook for personal reasons!!!
If you -of course- want to share your life with the other Richie Girls, feel free to use the comment section below to give information about your cyber-world...
I am on MySpace and Bebo --not on Facebook for personal reasons!!!
The links to my MySpace (link #2) and my Bebo (link #3) are on my blog (link #1) --but they are here for the lazy people :
==> Note to my 'readers' : my world cup diary is not finished and I think I'll have time to finish it only after the exams in January...sorry about that.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Charity
http://www.mfactorevents.co.nz/gall53.html
MU Charity Fashion Show November 4th - 2007.
MU Steakhouse & Bar, Lichfield Street, Christchurch.
Fashion was featured by;
Frankie, 3 Wise Men,
Jason Kerrison lead singer of Opshop,
MU Charity Fashion Show November 4th - 2007.MU Steakhouse & Bar, Lichfield Street, Christchurch.
Fashion was featured by;
Frankie, 3 Wise Men,
Marocka, Sergios, 
Urban Surf, Wee Kiwi,
Undiesonline, Gillian Melhop,
Hattertude, David and Goliath,
Vivacious and Katrina's Hats.
Proceeds went to Ronald McDonald House South Island.
Celebrity models included :
Jason Kerrison lead singer of Opshop,
Honor Dillon from the Black Sticks,
Charlie and Serena from What Now,
Aaron Gilmore from Dancing with the Stars.
Plus appearances by Richie McCaw and Corey Flynn.
MC on the night Jason Fa'afoi.
*****
Golf now :
Playing a round (for a good cause) at Waimairi Beach Golf Club
from left - Corey, Colin, Bobby, Lucky and Richie 
At our recent cocktail party fundraiser Bobby Almond paid $2200 in the silent auction to have a golf day with Corey Flynn and Richie McCaw. The money paid went to Ronald McDonald House. Waimairi Beach Club donated the green fees and carts.
At our recent cocktail party fundraiser Bobby Almond paid $2200 in the silent auction to have a golf day with Corey Flynn and Richie McCaw. The money paid went to Ronald McDonald House. Waimairi Beach Club donated the green fees and carts.Friday, November 09, 2007
McCaw: Counselling, you must be joking (NZ Herald)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10474964
The star flanker took to the rugby field with a selection of new teammates yesterday - the South Auckland Kiwis, from Mt Richmond Road special school.
The team, with an average age of 19, have intellectual disabilities.
They met McCaw at Aorere Park in Mangere as part of his role as an ambassador for the Westpac Halberg Awards, which funds programmes that give disabled kids a chance to play sport.
McCaw told the Herald he and the team were devastated by the early World Cup exit - but he hadn't been receiving grief counselling to cope with the loss.
"That gets blown out of proportion ... the boys are pretty good, we were a pretty close team and keep in contact and make sure everyone's all right. To be honest, the guys are gutted. They put a lot of effort in and it's like anything if you come up a bit short - you feel really gutted." The public support had boosted the players.
"The public have been great. I think they can see we gave it our best. We didn't play as well as we could have, and they were as disappointed as we were," he said.
The future of the All Blacks coaching team is under threat but McCaw said he was just as in the dark as the rest of New Zealand.
He isn't directly involved in the coaching review but had been asked to assess how the campaign went.
Who would be the next All Black coach was the last thing in the minds of the South Auckland Kiwis.
Captain Andrew Johnston said McCaw had talked to them about rugby, including some scrum
and tackling tips.
"He told us we were good - but we're not good enough for the All Blacks yet," Johnston said.
The team, who play in the Tamaki president's league, train twice a week.
"Sport is a real leveller and a real motivator. It's for everyone so I think the Tamaki club deserves a real pat on the back for including this special team in their league," McCaw said.
Friday November 09, 2007
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw laughed off suggestions that he might need grief counselling to cope with the team's shock defeat 
in the World Cup, saying public support had helped him and his fellow players handle their disappointment.
in the World Cup, saying public support had helped him and his fellow players handle their disappointment. The star flanker took to the rugby field with a selection of new teammates yesterday - the South Auckland Kiwis, from Mt Richmond Road special school.
The team, with an average age of 19, have intellectual disabilities.
They met McCaw at Aorere Park in Mangere as part of his role as an ambassador for the Westpac Halberg Awards, which funds programmes that give disabled kids a chance to play sport. McCaw told the Herald he and the team were devastated by the early World Cup exit - but he hadn't been receiving grief counselling to cope with the loss.
"That gets blown out of proportion ... the boys are pretty good, we were a pretty close team and keep in contact and make sure everyone's all right. To be honest, the guys are gutted. They put a lot of effort in and it's like anything if you come up a bit short - you feel really gutted." The public support had boosted the players.
"The public have been great. I think they can see we gave it our best. We didn't play as well as we could have, and they were as disappointed as we were," he said.
The future of the All Blacks coaching team is under threat but McCaw said he was just as in the dark as the rest of New Zealand. He isn't directly involved in the coaching review but had been asked to assess how the campaign went.
"Other than that I sit back - I've been asked a lot of times what I think is going to happen and I have absolutely no idea."
Who would be the next All Black coach was the last thing in the minds of the South Auckland Kiwis.
Captain Andrew Johnston said McCaw had talked to them about rugby, including some scrum
and tackling tips. "He told us we were good - but we're not good enough for the All Blacks yet," Johnston said.
The team, who play in the Tamaki president's league, train twice a week.
"Sport is a real leveller and a real motivator. It's for everyone so I think the Tamaki club deserves a real pat on the back for including this special team in their league," McCaw said.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
The Passion
Earlier this week, I had this email from Izzy :
"It is some
excerpts from a book called The Passion, which is the story behind 125 years of Canterbury rugby, and is written by Phil Gifford (a sports writer, he has a weekly 
column in the Sunday Star Times newspaper, and has written other sports books). It was published in 2004, so is obviously a little out of date. Chapter one is entitled Game Day, and follows Richie on the day of a game - his build up, preparation etc... 
This chapter also talks to another couple of rugby players, at different levels of the game (club rugby etc..), so at first appearance you may think I haven't sent you the whole chapter (which I haven't), I have only scanned the relevant pages of the author talking to, or following Richie around - hope that makes sense! Seeing a little insight in to Richie's day, on game day."
I started to type it but I so slow... I gave up pretty fast! If one of you have some energy left, feel free to share your typing skills (but the scans can be easily read once you've clicked on so no real need to use your skills this time!)There are many pages, I posted them randomly in the article -sorry!
Here is the correct order :
*page 1 : "It's big-game day...
*page 2 : "Richie Mccaw is still whiling...
*page 3 : "last day of 1980...
*page 4 (very small) : "Three hours...
*page 5 : "We all amble...
*page 6 : "Another focus was to get...
*page 7 : "The Hurricanes have come to...
*page 8 : "it's quite strange watching..."
Captain terrific (rugbyheaven)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4261343a10295.html
McCaw has been heavily criticised for a lack a leadership in the second half of the Cardiff calamity when the All Blacks crashed out of the World Cup with a shock loss to France.
But Deans last night called the critics to task.
"Everyone knows Richie and his qualities," Deans said.
"People have criticised him and all I will say about that is `watch this space'.
"Richie will be a lot better for the experience he has been through and he is not a bloke who will lie down as a result of that experience.
"He'll grow from it. And (the Crusaders and All Blacks) will benefit from that growth."
Sunday News expects McCaw to be named as Deans' Crusaders captain.
There is however a school of thought in Christchurch that the job could be given to Reuben Thorne to take the pressure off McCaw who is odds-on to skipper the All Blacks next season regardless of who is coach.
"I've made the decision around captaincy but I won't be saying anything about that publicly until I have communicated that decision to the team."
Deans, a four-time Super rugby winner, defended his decision to acquire the 32-year-old Brad Thorn.
To make room for the 2003 All Black in the Crusaders squad, locks Kevin O'Neill was transferred to Waikato while Isaac Ross was farmed out to the Highlanders.
"There were consequences for a couple of blokes but the reality is that while they may not feel this way now I'm sure they'll look back at the experience they are about to have with the Chiefs and the Highlanders as the best thing that could have happened to them at this stage of their career."
Last year the Crusaders beaten semifinalists had a soft centre in their forward back. Thorne will add grunt and intensity to their d-line.
"He is just a good man to have around the group," said Deans. "He has a great ethic. And there's no doubt that he'll stiffen up the game line for us."
Having a more resilient defensive line will be important with more space between the sides and on attack there will be more carry options for the former Brisbane Bronco.
That Deans has foreseen that will surprise no one.
It's the reason, as reported by Sunday News two weeks ago, the Australian Rugby Union will hold off naming its new coach until Deans' All Blacks fate has been determined.
By JOHN MATHESON
Sunday News
Sunday, 4 November 2007
Robbie Deans the All Blacks coach-in-waiting has launched a stirring defence of skipper Richie McCaw.
McCaw has been heavily criticised for a lack a leadership in the second half of the Cardiff calamity when the All Blacks crashed out of the World Cup with a shock loss to France.
But Deans last night called the critics to task. "Everyone knows Richie and his qualities," Deans said.
"People have criticised him and all I will say about that is `watch this space'.
"Richie will be a lot better for the experience he has been through and he is not a bloke who will lie down as a result of that experience.
"He'll grow from it. And (the Crusaders and All Blacks) will benefit from that growth."
Sunday News expects McCaw to be named as Deans' Crusaders captain.
There is however a school of thought in Christchurch that the job could be given to Reuben Thorne to take the pressure off McCaw who is odds-on to skipper the All Blacks next season regardless of who is coach.
"I've made the decision around captaincy but I won't be saying anything about that publicly until I have communicated that decision to the team."
Deans, a four-time Super rugby winner, defended his decision to acquire the 32-year-old Brad Thorn.
To make room for the 2003 All Black in the Crusaders squad, locks Kevin O'Neill was transferred to Waikato while Isaac Ross was farmed out to the Highlanders.
"There were consequences for a couple of blokes but the reality is that while they may not feel this way now I'm sure they'll look back at the experience they are about to have with the Chiefs and the Highlanders as the best thing that could have happened to them at this stage of their career."
Last year the Crusaders beaten semifinalists had a soft centre in their forward back. Thorne will add grunt and intensity to their d-line.
"He is just a good man to have around the group," said Deans. "He has a great ethic. And there's no doubt that he'll stiffen up the game line for us."
While the critics haven't figured it out yet, Thorn's value will increase if Sanzar decide to use rugby's new laws in the Super 14.
Having a more resilient defensive line will be important with more space between the sides and on attack there will be more carry options for the former Brisbane Bronco.
That Deans has foreseen that will surprise no one.
It's the reason, as reported by Sunday News two weeks ago, the Australian Rugby Union will hold off naming its new coach until Deans' All Blacks fate has been determined.
Where is the captain?
That's the same report but introduced in two different ways whether you take the original link (tvnz) or the copy (rugbyheaven). Thank you Izzy :)
***
http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/videoplayer/videoplayer/118556a22436.html
Richie: I want to stay captain (video)
RugbyHeaven
Thursday, 8 November 2007
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw answers his critics and says he wants to continue in the job as New Zealand look to rebound from the World Cup quarter-final loss.
****
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/video_popup_windows_skin/1438204
McCaw:Tough road back to the top (2:10)
After receiving severe critcism following the World Cup, ONE Sport's Toni Street finds the All Black captain in a reflective but confident mood.
***
http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/videoplayer/videoplayer/118556a22436.html
Richie: I want to stay captain (video)
RugbyHeaven
Thursday, 8 November 2007
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw answers his critics and says he wants to continue in the job as New Zealand look to rebound from the World Cup quarter-final loss.
****
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/video_popup_windows_skin/1438204
McCaw:Tough road back to the top (2:10)
After receiving severe critcism following the World Cup, ONE Sport's Toni Street finds the All Black captain in a reflective but confident mood.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Note about the spam-comments
On some articles, there are up to 80 comments that are linked to un-appropriate sites. I started publishing articles again but these comments are on so many articles that cancelling & publishing them again would de-structure the chronology of the blog.
Be careful (especially for the younger of us) : when you see that there are more than 50 comments on one article, don't check them out because it's a spam.
Don't worry, nothing will happen to your computer (it's not a 'virus' -don't know if you use the same word in English...)
Once again, sorry.
MaryL
Sur certains articles, il y a jusqu'à 80 messages qui vous amènent sur des sites qui peuvent choquer les plus jeunes.
J'avais commencé à republier certains articles pour effacer ces commentaires-spam mais ca bouleverserait toute la chronologie du blog. Faites attention :
s'il y a plus de 50 commentaires sur article, ne vous lancez pas dans la lecture, ils vous mèneront nulle part...
Mais, ne vous inquiétez pas : ce n'est pas un virus, votre ordinateur ne risque rien!!!
Je suis désolée.
MaryL
Be careful (especially for the younger of us) : when you see that there are more than 50 comments on one article, don't check them out because it's a spam.
Don't worry, nothing will happen to your computer (it's not a 'virus' -don't know if you use the same word in English...)
Once again, sorry.
MaryL
****
Sur certains articles, il y a jusqu'à 80 messages qui vous amènent sur des sites qui peuvent choquer les plus jeunes.
J'avais commencé à republier certains articles pour effacer ces commentaires-spam mais ca bouleverserait toute la chronologie du blog. Faites attention :
s'il y a plus de 50 commentaires sur article, ne vous lancez pas dans la lecture, ils vous mèneront nulle part...
Mais, ne vous inquiétez pas : ce n'est pas un virus, votre ordinateur ne risque rien!!!
Je suis désolée.
MaryL
Mc Caw calf Hindrance against France
The Star
Wednesday 24th, 2007
by Nick Torleton
Richie McCaw is not letting injury be an excuse for what happened in the RWC quarter final.
Half back Byron Kelleher has claimed that a calf injury & a viral infection affected the All Black skipper in the loss to France.
Two weeks of mulling over what went wrong in Cardiff have not let McCaw to think anything should have been done differently.
The All Blacks didn't perform their best against France, "but we tried bloody hard to".
The captain doesn't want to get into the debate about the future of Graham Henry and the management team, but said he'd enjoyed what they'd done over the past few years.
"It'd be a pity if they get judged on one game, but I guess that's the way it is. Hopefully the right thing will be done."
With a fortnight on his hands back home that he was not expecting to have, McCaw has been his pilot's rating up at the control of the vintage Dakota of the Southern DC3 Trust, of which he is patron.
Wednesday 24th, 2007
by Nick Torleton
Richie McCaw is not letting injury be an excuse for what happened in the RWC quarter final.
Half back Byron Kelleher has claimed that a calf injury & a viral infection affected the All Black skipper in the loss to France.But McCaw said that the virus only affected him before th match vs. Italy, but he did have a tight calf early in the week before the quarter final.
"Come the game, it was pretty much fine", he said. It did not impede him against France, he said. "It was a bit sore after the match, but a few other things are worse."
Two weeks of mulling over what went wrong in Cardiff have not let McCaw to think anything should have been done differently.
"I don't know if there will be things that will pop up as time goes on. I think we were well-prepared and ready to go."
France were pretty desperate in the second half -"they got their tails up and a couple of calls went against us. That's the way it goes. I've questioned myself a lot on what we could have done differently."
The All Blacks didn't perform their best against France, "but we tried bloody hard to".
The captain doesn't want to get into the debate about the future of Graham Henry and the management team, but said he'd enjoyed what they'd done over the past few years.
"It'd be a pity if they get judged on one game, but I guess that's the way it is. Hopefully the right thing will be done."
If they carried on, it would be fine with him he said.
With a fortnight on his hands back home that he was not expecting to have, McCaw has been his pilot's rating up at the control of the vintage Dakota of the Southern DC3 Trust, of which he is patron.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
McCaw backup main worry for Crusaders (+bonus)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4251846a10295.html
By RICHARD KNOWLER
The Press
Saturday, 27 October 2007
While the All Blacks' controversial conditioning programme blighted the Crusaders' Super 14 chances title this season, it should pay dividends next year.
"There's no doubt about it, there were benefits. And for a big part of the Air New Zealand Cup we saw the result of that," Crusaders assistant coach Mark Hammett said."All of a sudden we have got these players who have got an extra year's experience."
With seven All Blacks sidelined because of the programme and injury earlier this year, the Crusaders were forced to pick a group of untested rookies.Among them were Michael Paterson, Kieran Read and Tim Bateman, who will again be named in the Crusaders squad when it is released on Wednesday.
Crusaders coaches Robbie Deans and Hammett are unlikely to dip deeply into the draft when they select their 28-man squad.They will submit a list of 24 protected players to the New Zealand Rugby Union tomorrow night before travelling to Wellington on Monday to thrash out their options and confirm their selections the next day.
While there are plenty of experienced tight forwards, Hammett acknowledged the lack of depth at openside flanker is a headache for not just the Crusaders, but the whole country. The Crusaders usually carry three specialist opensiders and if Richie McCaw starts to burn out, they will want two reliable back-up options.
Leo'o was used as McCaw's replacement for the first half of the Super 14 this year. Tasman's Jonathan Poff did not get a start.Poff, along with Canterbury's Hayden Hopgood, who was drafted to the Hurricanes this year, are options.Peter Nixon will not be considered because of a shoulder injury. If the Crusaders go to the draft the likes of Manawatu's Josh Bradnock could be considered.
A back-up No. 8 for Mose Tuiali'i may see Nasi Manu get his big chance. Draft options include Wellington's Thomas Waldrom or Hawkes Bay's Grant Webb.Otago No. 8 George Whitelock moved to Canterbury before the recent transfer deadline but is inexperienced.With All Black Ali Williams and Brisbane Bronco Brad Thorn wooed to Christchurch to offset the loss of Chris Jack, who is going overseas, Canterbury locks Kevin O'Neill and Isaac Ross are expected to be picked up by the Chiefs and the Blues.
Others who have signed for overseas clubs are halfback Kevin Senio (France), Aaron Mauger (England), Rico Gear (England), Rua Tipoki (Ireland) and Brent Ward (France).Before confirming their squads, the coaches liaise about which players could be suitable for selection. The Crusaders have a good relationship with Hurricanes' Colin Cooper who assisted Deans in 2002.
"We have to be upfront with each other, because it all comes in swings and roundabouts," Hammett said. "You want to be honest about a player. It is also the worst time of year for us, because it can be horrible to tell a player he has missed out."The Crusaders will probably opt for a split of 16 forwards and 12 backs, with the majority of the squad hailing from Canterbury.
*****
Article photo : Steven Brett
Article : Calf no Hindrance (published in the Star on Wednesday 24th) & that's the bonus! The transcript will be published as soon as my computer problem is fixed ;)
Thank you to Nita for the stuff.co.nz link and thank you to Izzy for the Star scan ;)
By RICHARD KNOWLER
The Press
Saturday, 27 October 2007
While the All Blacks' controversial conditioning programme blighted the Crusaders' Super 14 chances title this season, it should pay dividends next year.
"There's no doubt about it, there were benefits. And for a big part of the Air New Zealand Cup we saw the result of that," Crusaders assistant coach Mark Hammett said."All of a sudden we have got these players who have got an extra year's experience." With seven All Blacks sidelined because of the programme and injury earlier this year, the Crusaders were forced to pick a group of untested rookies.Among them were Michael Paterson, Kieran Read and Tim Bateman, who will again be named in the Crusaders squad when it is released on Wednesday.
Crusaders coaches Robbie Deans and Hammett are unlikely to dip deeply into the draft when they select their 28-man squad.They will submit a list of 24 protected players to the New Zealand Rugby Union tomorrow night before travelling to Wellington on Monday to thrash out their options and confirm their selections the next day.
While there are plenty of experienced tight forwards, Hammett acknowledged the lack of depth at openside flanker is a headache for not just the Crusaders, but the whole country. The Crusaders usually carry three specialist opensiders and if Richie McCaw starts to burn out, they will want two reliable back-up options.
"In New Zealand rugby it is a bit of worry with the likes of Marty Holah, Johnny Leo'o and Josh Blackie going overseas. There's not really a heck of a lot of opensiders around at the moment."Hammett hinted that Read, a blindside flanker, may be used on the opposite flank."We have seen the likes of him play a bit at No. 7 and he will be an option for us there."
Leo'o was used as McCaw's replacement for the first half of the Super 14 this year. Tasman's Jonathan Poff did not get a start.Poff, along with Canterbury's Hayden Hopgood, who was drafted to the Hurricanes this year, are options.Peter Nixon will not be considered because of a shoulder injury. If the Crusaders go to the draft the likes of Manawatu's Josh Bradnock could be considered.
A back-up No. 8 for Mose Tuiali'i may see Nasi Manu get his big chance. Draft options include Wellington's Thomas Waldrom or Hawkes Bay's Grant Webb.Otago No. 8 George Whitelock moved to Canterbury before the recent transfer deadline but is inexperienced.With All Black Ali Williams and Brisbane Bronco Brad Thorn wooed to Christchurch to offset the loss of Chris Jack, who is going overseas, Canterbury locks Kevin O'Neill and Isaac Ross are expected to be picked up by the Chiefs and the Blues.
Others who have signed for overseas clubs are halfback Kevin Senio (France), Aaron Mauger (England), Rico Gear (England), Rua Tipoki (Ireland) and Brent Ward (France).Before confirming their squads, the coaches liaise about which players could be suitable for selection. The Crusaders have a good relationship with Hurricanes' Colin Cooper who assisted Deans in 2002.
"We have to be upfront with each other, because it all comes in swings and roundabouts," Hammett said. "You want to be honest about a player. It is also the worst time of year for us, because it can be horrible to tell a player he has missed out."The Crusaders will probably opt for a split of 16 forwards and 12 backs, with the majority of the squad hailing from Canterbury.
Possible Crusaders squad (Canterbury unless otherwise stated):
OUTSIDE BACKS: Leon MacDonald, Scott Hamilton, Paul Williams, Sean Maitland.
CENTRES: Caleb Ralph (Tasman), Casey Laulala.
FIVE-EIGHTHS: Tim Bateman, Joel Iggo (Tasman), Stephen Brett, Dan Carter.
HALFBACKS: Andy Ellis, Kahn Fotuali'i (Tasman).
LOOSE FORWARDS: Mose Tuiali'i, Nasi Manu, Richie McCaw, Jonathan Poff (Tasman), Kieran Read, Reuben Thorne.
LOCKS: Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Michael Paterson, Ross Filipo (Wellington).
PROPS: Greg Somerville, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Campbell Johnstone.
HOOKERS: Corey Flynn, Ti'i Paulo.
*****
Article photo : Steven Brett
Article : Calf no Hindrance (published in the Star on Wednesday 24th) & that's the bonus! The transcript will be published as soon as my computer problem is fixed ;)
Thank you to Nita for the stuff.co.nz link and thank you to Izzy for the Star scan ;)
-> Note : this article was first published on Oct. 27th but due to a spam abuse in the comments, I cancelled the previous post and decided to post it again -hopefully this incident won't happen again!
Notes about the blog.
-----
First : IMPORTANT : the article entitled "McCaw backup main worry for Crusaders (+bonus)", published on October 27th contains 65 comments that all link you to un-appropriate sites so careful if you check any of these links!
-> added later : this article has been cancelled and published again (see above)
-----
Then : Lilly suggested (& many agreed) that we should have a "FAQ section". As most of you 
know, I'm not in charge of the configuration of the site. Yet, I can create a FAQ article and publish a link to it every now and then...
know, I'm not in charge of the configuration of the site. Yet, I can create a FAQ article and publish a link to it every now and then...But to get a FAQ article, I need FAQs & there is your part of the job :
*you have more than a week (so that is till Thursday Nov. 14th -my time) to send me your FAQs & answers that will be copied and published altogether.
*sent your part of the job at
Thanks a lot for your help,
MaryL
****
Article completed on November 16th :
Friday, November 02, 2007
Rugby Hebdo. Monday 29.10.2007 : Mccaw, a suspended Fate
Since the defeat in Cardiff, Richie McCaw has kept silent. To bounce better Rugby Hebdo met his Folks.
That night at the Restaurant le Troquet in Paris, there was something weird in seeing the McCaws, without Richard. It was 4 days before the Rugby World Cup Final – the unexpected South Africans v England. After visiting Musee d’ Orsay and wandering in the French borough streets, Don & Margaret, the parents, Jo, the sister and Sam her boyfriend were about to taste some Basque specialties without their Richard (they have never called him “Richie”). Yet if there were one McCaw that was suppose to be in Paris by this time it was the All Blacks Captain. But no! He had been back home for a week now without stopping by Paris, not even ready to go back to the old continent for the IRB Awards Ceremony. Because “his passport went thru the washing machine”, confessed his father, Don. As a missed moment to take off all possibilities to put a stop where that might be to painful.
Paris - so many people believed in that victory, 20 years after his countrymen, he might have seen it to: Raising up the Webb Ellis Trophy at Stade de France - just a flash, and then Bang! The disillusion in Cardiff. His little Sister Jo “Richard is a real Kiwi, he loves the New Zealand lifestyle so much “, he has preferred going back to this earth that he had spread on every ground during the Rugby World Cup. His Father “He already wants to be in 2011. He wants to stay in New Zealand to prepare for the next Rugby World Cup.”
Richie McCaw was born like that, fighting not always winning but willing, to a point his parents wouldn’t have
guessed. Till that day, the 1st time he got back home from boarding school in Dunedin and told them “I’ll quit rugby” he was 13.
“The older boys at school told him he was too small he would never play with them” his dad remembers.
“He came from the our Valley (Haka. Valley), from a small school were all the children were mixed despite their ages” his mum continues “it was a cultural shock for him to be in this big school. He wanted to be good enough to survive”.
He revealed himself far from home. The little expansive country boy who, when he got back from school went to watch his dad work on the farm, to build a tractor, to kick a ball alone in the garden/backyard or to run after sheep, had now become an elevated pupil by his peers, first for the boarding school then by the whole school. “We were quite surprised” reckons his mother. But Richard had learnt one thing from the speech from his parents.
“They have always told me to seize the opportunities when they were there or when they were given to me”, he still explains nowadays “for the OBHS, they told me: You are given this chance, don’t regret it!” So he put his emotions aside and so did his parents. Don yet says: “when he left I missed it - not seeing him around”.
And the kid invested – Brian Ashwin was one of his teachers and his coach at the time. He described Richie as an “impressively determined, impressively fit (for his age) boy with a sort of personal satisfaction plan”. At nights, on the hills of Dunedin, where there was no rugby training, he had his own sessions on the grounds between the forest and the buildings made with old stone. And this work paid back in ’98 for his last year at OBHS, he was voted sports person of the year and second best pupil of the school. With the First XV, as Vice Captain, they reached the Final of the High Schools Tournament. For the first time in the history of the Secondary Schools Championship (the highest ranked tournament for this age category) two teams shared the title: OBHS and Rotoura Boys College. Ashwin remembers a “boy who bleeds a lot and who, by his manner of playing was always on first line”.
Richie McCaw is generous – First he took his advice from Uncle John McLay, who in 1983 played for Mid-Canterbury against the British & Irish Lions. Richie tells “He played at No. 8 and explained to me if I wanted to touch the ball I should be as close as possible all the time. He also said that if I wanted to score, I should run with my knees up!” Richie also inherited the crazy head side from his Grand-father, Jim, Air Pilot during WW2 with whom he shares the birth date and the same passion for flying.
John another uncle says “My father used to fly very low in the valley, I don’t know how he survived!” In his rugby, Richie also works to the edge and doesn’t let people indifferent.
At that time, Robbie Deans was already a part of the Crusaders Staff; he confirms: “we heard this about him. We knew he was talented so we were very happy when he decided to study in Christchurch”.
Christchurch, on the East Coast of the South Island, centre of his life since 1999. The City where his sister also lives (she is a netball player), but also his parents after they sold the farm in 2002. The Black and Red, home of the Crusaders and Canterbury – his home – where the New Zealand squad landed on October 10th after the journey from Cardiff via Tokyo. The welcome was unbelievable, beyond expectations to be honest. For the first time the public pressure that usually lies upon the All Blacks had an opposite effect, thousands of fans forgot their own sorrow to support their fallen heroes. This cure made effect after a couple of hours – that was the first step. Then the questions that the Captain said were inevitable, must have come again, about the defeat of course, but also the past, so as to (maybe) give a sense to what happened, this rugby life and this great defeat.
When Robbie Deans talks about this young player he gave a chance to in 2001 and appointed Captain in 2004, he always talks about obviousness: “it was obvious he would become an All Black, we didn’t want to launch him too early so as to protect his physical development. We wanted him to be ready for the right time”. Then “it was obvious he would become the All Black Captain. We wanted him to have some experience as a captain before he got the “big job”.”
But to what point did the obviousness that he’d raise some day, the Rugby World Cup, fill New Zealand’s subconscious? And the Captains subconscious? His parents “he doesn’t have a normal life of a 26yr old man, and it worries us a little. It’s always weird for us to always here people talking about him as we are here, incognito, it's sometimes as if our son wasn’t ours. But we keep hope – so far he has been doing it well”. Like other great All Blacks before him, he takes his values of humility of the earth in his family farm-background.
He always keeps his smile, even when a Grandmother in a restaurant asked him to speak to her Grandson on a cell phone, those who know him know his upper lip & his fixed eye betray his embarrassment, but that’s his duty as captain. His passion and his devotion, this cowboy style of walking, and his cowboy face too, have made him the national embodiment of the hopes of the nation. He doesn’t forget where he came from for that’s his love for rugby that keeps him standing, and that will make him start again in 2008 and he hopes, until 2011.
By then he’d have played Rugby at this level for 10yrs! 10 yrs in Black. What a journey! Among which the memory of his 1st cap with the black jersey may always remain his source of inspiration. Just 2mths after his NPC debut with Canterbury, and as he had never played for the Crusaders (he was not 21) the young flanker with the head gear, lit this Ireland v New Zealand at Lansdowne Road Stadium and was voted Man of the Match.
As he was about to get his trophy, the whole crowd at the after match dinner, including the Irish, made a standing ovation for him. It was obvious that it was only the first time one would here about him. Reuben Thorne had discovered him a couple of months before, during a pre-season match
Translation by MaryL
Typing by Lissie -thank you so much... Thank you to Rose too (but too late)
Pour le scan de la version francaise, envoyez un mail a :
marykoala@hotmail.fr
That night at the Restaurant le Troquet in Paris, there was something weird in seeing the McCaws, without Richard. It was 4 days before the Rugby World Cup Final – the unexpected South Africans v England. After visiting Musee d’ Orsay and wandering in the French borough streets, Don & Margaret, the parents, Jo, the sister and Sam her boyfriend were about to taste some Basque specialties without their Richard (they have never called him “Richie”). Yet if there were one McCaw that was suppose to be in Paris by this time it was the All Blacks Captain. But no! He had been back home for a week now without stopping by Paris, not even ready to go back to the old continent for the IRB Awards Ceremony. Because “his passport went thru the washing machine”, confessed his father, Don. As a missed moment to take off all possibilities to put a stop where that might be to painful.Paris - so many people believed in that victory, 20 years after his countrymen, he might have seen it to: Raising up the Webb Ellis Trophy at Stade de France - just a flash, and then Bang! The disillusion in Cardiff. His little Sister Jo “Richard is a real Kiwi, he loves the New Zealand lifestyle so much “, he has preferred going back to this earth that he had spread on every ground during the Rugby World Cup. His Father “He already wants to be in 2011. He wants to stay in New Zealand to prepare for the next Rugby World Cup.”
Richie McCaw was born like that, fighting not always winning but willing, to a point his parents wouldn’t have
guessed. Till that day, the 1st time he got back home from boarding school in Dunedin and told them “I’ll quit rugby” he was 13.“The older boys at school told him he was too small he would never play with them” his dad remembers.
“He came from the our Valley (Haka. Valley), from a small school were all the children were mixed despite their ages” his mum continues “it was a cultural shock for him to be in this big school. He wanted to be good enough to survive”.
He revealed himself far from home. The little expansive country boy who, when he got back from school went to watch his dad work on the farm, to build a tractor, to kick a ball alone in the garden/backyard or to run after sheep, had now become an elevated pupil by his peers, first for the boarding school then by the whole school. “We were quite surprised” reckons his mother. But Richard had learnt one thing from the speech from his parents.
“They have always told me to seize the opportunities when they were there or when they were given to me”, he still explains nowadays “for the OBHS, they told me: You are given this chance, don’t regret it!” So he put his emotions aside and so did his parents. Don yet says: “when he left I missed it - not seeing him around”.
And the kid invested – Brian Ashwin was one of his teachers and his coach at the time. He described Richie as an “impressively determined, impressively fit (for his age) boy with a sort of personal satisfaction plan”. At nights, on the hills of Dunedin, where there was no rugby training, he had his own sessions on the grounds between the forest and the buildings made with old stone. And this work paid back in ’98 for his last year at OBHS, he was voted sports person of the year and second best pupil of the school. With the First XV, as Vice Captain, they reached the Final of the High Schools Tournament. For the first time in the history of the Secondary Schools Championship (the highest ranked tournament for this age category) two teams shared the title: OBHS and Rotoura Boys College. Ashwin remembers a “boy who bleeds a lot and who, by his manner of playing was always on first line”.
Richie McCaw is generous – First he took his advice from Uncle John McLay, who in 1983 played for Mid-Canterbury against the British & Irish Lions. Richie tells “He played at No. 8 and explained to me if I wanted to touch the ball I should be as close as possible all the time. He also said that if I wanted to score, I should run with my knees up!” Richie also inherited the crazy head side from his Grand-father, Jim, Air Pilot during WW2 with whom he shares the birth date and the same passion for flying.John another uncle says “My father used to fly very low in the valley, I don’t know how he survived!” In his rugby, Richie also works to the edge and doesn’t let people indifferent.
At that time, Robbie Deans was already a part of the Crusaders Staff; he confirms: “we heard this about him. We knew he was talented so we were very happy when he decided to study in Christchurch”.
Christchurch, on the East Coast of the South Island, centre of his life since 1999. The City where his sister also lives (she is a netball player), but also his parents after they sold the farm in 2002. The Black and Red, home of the Crusaders and Canterbury – his home – where the New Zealand squad landed on October 10th after the journey from Cardiff via Tokyo. The welcome was unbelievable, beyond expectations to be honest. For the first time the public pressure that usually lies upon the All Blacks had an opposite effect, thousands of fans forgot their own sorrow to support their fallen heroes. This cure made effect after a couple of hours – that was the first step. Then the questions that the Captain said were inevitable, must have come again, about the defeat of course, but also the past, so as to (maybe) give a sense to what happened, this rugby life and this great defeat.
When Robbie Deans talks about this young player he gave a chance to in 2001 and appointed Captain in 2004, he always talks about obviousness: “it was obvious he would become an All Black, we didn’t want to launch him too early so as to protect his physical development. We wanted him to be ready for the right time”. Then “it was obvious he would become the All Black Captain. We wanted him to have some experience as a captain before he got the “big job”.”
But to what point did the obviousness that he’d raise some day, the Rugby World Cup, fill New Zealand’s subconscious? And the Captains subconscious? His parents “he doesn’t have a normal life of a 26yr old man, and it worries us a little. It’s always weird for us to always here people talking about him as we are here, incognito, it's sometimes as if our son wasn’t ours. But we keep hope – so far he has been doing it well”. Like other great All Blacks before him, he takes his values of humility of the earth in his family farm-background.
He always keeps his smile, even when a Grandmother in a restaurant asked him to speak to her Grandson on a cell phone, those who know him know his upper lip & his fixed eye betray his embarrassment, but that’s his duty as captain. His passion and his devotion, this cowboy style of walking, and his cowboy face too, have made him the national embodiment of the hopes of the nation. He doesn’t forget where he came from for that’s his love for rugby that keeps him standing, and that will make him start again in 2008 and he hopes, until 2011.
By then he’d have played Rugby at this level for 10yrs! 10 yrs in Black. What a journey! Among which the memory of his 1st cap with the black jersey may always remain his source of inspiration. Just 2mths after his NPC debut with Canterbury, and as he had never played for the Crusaders (he was not 21) the young flanker with the head gear, lit this Ireland v New Zealand at Lansdowne Road Stadium and was voted Man of the Match.
As he was about to get his trophy, the whole crowd at the after match dinner, including the Irish, made a standing ovation for him. It was obvious that it was only the first time one would here about him. Reuben Thorne had discovered him a couple of months before, during a pre-season match
“I knew nothing about him, we were defending at the back of the lineout, the game started and I saw him passing me and chasing the guy who had the ball. I told myself “who the hell is this kid?” I realized he had something special”.
Since then Richie McCaw has developed his own game, improved it. Robbie Deans reckons Richie McCaw has the willing to improve that only aside players have “Like DC, they know other teams target them, and that they can’t play their games as they want, enough is never enough”. If he needs it, the 2011 Rugby World Cup that will take place at home may be an extra source of motivation. Because his will of revenge is there. No one knows if he will still be Captain or even play in 2011, but this year he was, and even if he didn’t say it, this defeat was his. The experience must have been mentally exhausting. So since his return to New Zealand, his kept silence, he flew, using this flying passion that runs thru the McCaw’s veins to get other horizons (in all the meanings of ‘horizons’). Then will be December and training sessions for the Super 14, back to rugby without its nation’s ambitions, for some months at least.
Article by Ludovic Nanet -Pictures not related to the article.
Since then Richie McCaw has developed his own game, improved it. Robbie Deans reckons Richie McCaw has the willing to improve that only aside players have “Like DC, they know other teams target them, and that they can’t play their games as they want, enough is never enough”. If he needs it, the 2011 Rugby World Cup that will take place at home may be an extra source of motivation. Because his will of revenge is there. No one knows if he will still be Captain or even play in 2011, but this year he was, and even if he didn’t say it, this defeat was his. The experience must have been mentally exhausting. So since his return to New Zealand, his kept silence, he flew, using this flying passion that runs thru the McCaw’s veins to get other horizons (in all the meanings of ‘horizons’). Then will be December and training sessions for the Super 14, back to rugby without its nation’s ambitions, for some months at least.
Article by Ludovic Nanet -Pictures not related to the article.
Translation by MaryL
Typing by Lissie -thank you so much... Thank you to Rose too (but too late)
Pour le scan de la version francaise, envoyez un mail a :
marykoala@hotmail.fr
Super 14 squads announced (TV3)
http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/SportsVideo/tabid/317/articleID/38110/Default.aspx#video
The Hurricanes franchise partners - Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Taranaki provide the bulk of the 28-man squad named to play in next year's Super 14.
Coach Colin Cooper had no need to go to the draft, offering six players first time contracts.
New kids on the block include Magpies Hikawera Elliott, Zac Guildford and Michael Johnson - Willie Ripia and Scott Waldrom from the Naki and Wellington's Jacob Ellison and Jeremy Thrush.
The Chiefs have included 15 Waikato players in their squad for next year's Super 14 - including four World Cup All Blacks.
Sione Laukai, Brendon Leonard, Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu lead an experienced side, which also includes six draft players.
Otago first five Callum Bruce, Canterbury loose forward Hayden Hopgood, Tasman prop Ben May, Harbour flyer Viliame Waqasedudua and Wellington pair Tom Harding and Faifili Levave have all been called in.
Levave is the only player in the squad with no previous Super 14 experience.
The Highlanders have gone to the draft to boost their side for next season's Super 14 - bringing in eight players from outside the region.
Canterbury coach Robbie Deans has confirmed that he is available to coach the All Blacks. He also said that he would not be seeking the Wallabies coaching job.
Volatile Hawke's Bay prop Clint Newland's been brought in, despite missing most of the Air New Zealand Cup through suspension - beefing up the front row, after Carl Hayman and Anton Oliver's departure.
Also arriving through the draft are talented Counties mid-fielder Niva Ta'auso and Manawatu stand-outs Hayden Triggs and Johnny Leota.
And Hawke's Bay halfback Danny Lee's back in the Super 14 and will turn out for the Blues in next year's competition.
****
Press conference with Robbie Deans
http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/SportsVideo/tabid/317/articleID/38132/Default.aspx#video
Full Crusaders press conference
http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/SportsVideo/tabid/317/articleID/38127/Default.aspx#video
The Hurricanes franchise partners - Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Taranaki provide the bulk of the 28-man squad named to play in next year's Super 14.
Coach Colin Cooper had no need to go to the draft, offering six players first time contracts.
New kids on the block include Magpies Hikawera Elliott, Zac Guildford and Michael Johnson - Willie Ripia and Scott Waldrom from the Naki and Wellington's Jacob Ellison and Jeremy Thrush.
The Chiefs have included 15 Waikato players in their squad for next year's Super 14 - including four World Cup All Blacks.
Sione Laukai, Brendon Leonard, Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu lead an experienced side, which also includes six draft players.
Otago first five Callum Bruce, Canterbury loose forward Hayden Hopgood, Tasman prop Ben May, Harbour flyer Viliame Waqasedudua and Wellington pair Tom Harding and Faifili Levave have all been called in.
Levave is the only player in the squad with no previous Super 14 experience.
The Highlanders have gone to the draft to boost their side for next season's Super 14 - bringing in eight players from outside the region.
Canterbury coach Robbie Deans has confirmed that he is available to coach the All Blacks. He also said that he would not be seeking the Wallabies coaching job.
Volatile Hawke's Bay prop Clint Newland's been brought in, despite missing most of the Air New Zealand Cup through suspension - beefing up the front row, after Carl Hayman and Anton Oliver's departure.
Also arriving through the draft are talented Counties mid-fielder Niva Ta'auso and Manawatu stand-outs Hayden Triggs and Johnny Leota.
And Hawke's Bay halfback Danny Lee's back in the Super 14 and will turn out for the Blues in next year's competition.
****
Press conference with Robbie Deans
http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/SportsVideo/tabid/317/articleID/38132/Default.aspx#video
Full Crusaders press conference
http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/SportsVideo/tabid/317/articleID/38127/Default.aspx#video
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