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FSS filmed the haka last Saturday in Sydney. Why do I publish it?

- I found it weird the fact that when the guys perform, no one cares (keep chatting) and that at the end, everybody clapped ...

- I also thought that it was well filmed and FSS should be rewarded for her contribution (in fact, this haka is the best filmed by a frog since before the 2007 RWC!) Well done my friend!

Richie knows Robbie will have a new trick up his sleeve

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4638259a1823.html

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, RugbyHeaven

Thursday, 31 July 2008

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw is expecting his old coach Robbie Deans to come up with something new as the battle of the coaching brains heats up for Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup rematch at Auckland's Eden Park.

With the All Blacks coaches admitting they were outfoxed by Deans in the opening match in Sydney last weekend where the Wallabies won 34-19, the pressure is on Graham Henry and his sidekicks to counter the Aussies.

But someone as canny as Deans certainly won't be resting on his laurels and McCaw, who played under Deans at the Crusaders, said one of his strengths was his ability to innovate from week to week.

It was a trait that kept the Crusaders ahead of their Super 14 rivals all those years and it's now something Deans is trying to achieve at test level.

"They will certainly tweak their game," said McCaw as he gets ready to enter the fray after sitting out the opening three Tri-Nations matches with his ankle injury."That's the way Robbie operates and he will come up with something new. But a lot of it will be fairly similar."

Deans said as much when he told RugbyHeaven after the Sydney encounter: "We will look at the detail of this one and second guess each other I guess in terms of what is involved. But just the context of being in Auckland, the All Blacks won't want to go down again. You have Richie (McCaw) re-entering the fold. It's going to be another notch up again."

Deans has already signalled a new approach from the Wallabies for Eden Park by selecting two opensides in George Smith and Phil Waugh to counter the effectiveness of McCaw. But there is sure to be more.

McCaw, who was a frustrated spectator in Sydney, said he had noticed certain Crusaders traits being introduced into the Wallabies' game by Deans although he believed at this stage his old mentor was only tweaking what was already there.

"I suppose there is a little bit," he said of a Crusaders' influence enveloping the Wallabies' tactics."They kicked a fair bit of ball which we have done a bit at the Crusaders. But they were smart about when they used it as well. Really it was like playing the Wallabies anyway. They took the opportunities they had, they were smart the way they played - it hasn't changed a lot of what they do. We were just disappointed that we lost the battle at the breakdown."

And the breakdown is an area where Deans and his forwards coach Jim Williams appear to be putting a lot of focus on. In recent times the Wallabies have often been content to wall up when the opposition appeared to have control of second phase ball.

It has been noticeable against both the Springboks and the All Blacks that they have looked to counter ruck in a New Zealand fashion and try to blow the opposition off the ball. The Wallabies managed to achieve that several times in Sydney, securing some crucial turnovers against the All Blacks.

McCaw said there was no lack of motivation to turn things around this weekend and while Deans would be dreaming up new plans, there was no lack of thought going into the All Blacks' game from the coaches and senior players.

It's a crunch match and everyone knows it.
McCaw said his players were well aware that after consecutive losses the Tri-Nations trophy was on the line at Eden Park.

A Wallabies win would end the All Blacks' three-year reign of Sanzar's premier tournament.

"Yeah and it gives them a couple of good hands on the Bleidsloe too. I think the guys are aware of that as well."

tongue lovers: this one is for you =)

Mils back to fullback

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=DDHAzsmtD-8

McCaw's return a bright spot amidst gloom and doom

http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Sports/tabid/317/articleID/65051/cat/70/Default.aspx#video

http://www.3news.co.nz/News/McCawsreturnabrightspotamidstgloomanddoom/tabid/415/articleID/65051/cat/70/Default.aspx

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 6:21p.m

Richie McCaw's return remains about the only good news for the defeated and depleted All Blacks this week. Back from injury, the skipper will need bring his A+ game to the second Bledisloe test if the makeshift team are to turn around their flagging Tri-Nations.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. It might sound a bit dramatic, but McCaw is the man to save the series for New Zealand. Sorely missed in Sydney, his return from injury is crucial to the All Blacks' chances.

"I guess given the fact I've come off a layoff, I've just got to get myself right first for what is going to be one of the bigger games I play," says McCaw.

No one needed to ask the captain if he was disappointed with the team effort in Sydney last weekend.
"Maybe tactically we got a few things wrong," says McCaw, "but if you are going to turn the ball over like we did, nothing you do tactically is going to work."

And after being soundly beaten at the breakdown in Bledisloe one, the selectors have shuffled up the loose forwards and returned players to their regular Super 14 positions, with Jerome Kaino at number six and Rodney So'oialo at eight.

"It definitely feels like a big one," says So'oialo. "It's a must-win game for us."

Kaino certainly is not short of motivation.

"I'm just going to play like its my last test. Last couple of games I haven't been up to it," he says.
And even in the age of ELVs, the basics of winning rugby remain the tried and true - it is all decided up front. I think as forwards we've got to match up at the set piece and the breakdown," says McCaw. "We got beaten there last week."

But McCaw also acknowledges the Wallabies will be even harder to beat this week.

Want more at work?

http://auckland.morefm.co.nz/WantMOREAtWork/tabid/3011/Default.aspx

MORE FM wants to make work a little more bearable for you!
We’re loaded up with the hottest in movie and concert tickets, CD’s, DVD’s and more… and we’re coming to your workplace.
Prizes this week include:

We have Adidas All Blacks gear to bring to you including water bottles, wrist bands, beanies and caps!
PLUS - MEET THE ALL BLACKS IN PERSON!!!

Make sure you join the MORE FM Team at 'Champions of the World' on Queen Street, July 31st from 12:30pm-1:30pm for your chance to have your stuff signed by some of the All Blacks!!!

poster below from the 'This is not a jersey' campaign (sent by "You know who")

McCaw back as All Blacks changes made

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4635611a1823.html

By DOUG SAIL, Stuff.co.nz

Tuesday, 29 July 2008

Richie McCaw returns to lead an All Blacks team that contains several changes from the one demolished by Australia in last weekend's Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney. McCaw returns to the side exactly six weeks since he suffered a high ankle sprain against England in Christchurch.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry initially rated his skipper only a 50-50 chance of playing at Eden Park but the flanker has done enough at training to bolster a loose trio bettered on the ground by the Wallabies and Springboks during successive test defeats.

"I think he'll be fully fit for Saturday," Henry said when announcing a team with at least three personnel changes to his starting line-up and five players bracketed because of injuries.

There are brackets at hooker and halfback with final decisions expected on Thursday as injuries to Andrew Hore (hip pointer), Andy Ellis (ribs) and Jimmy Cowan (knee) are monitored.McCaw's return sees Daniel Braid dropped to the reserves bench in a bracket with Adam Thomson while Rodney So'oialo switches to number eight and Jerome Kaino to the blindside flank.

Sione Lauaki, who had a disastrous match when he came on in the second half, has been omitted from the squad completely. Braid's bracketing is probably to cover McCaw again in case the skipper suffers a recurrence of his ankle injury.

Other changes see Conrad Smith returned to the starting line up pushing Richard Kahui to the bench while winger Anthony Tuitavake is out of the squad completely, with Mils Muliaina moving from fullback to the wing to accommodate the return of Leon MacDonald.

Smith now faces the daunting task of marking Australian captain Stirling Mortlock who missed last week's 34-19 win over the All Blacks because of a concussion suffered in their opening Tri Nations match against South Africa a week earlier.

"We've made some tactical changes in our selections,'' Henry said."But we also need to change how we play. Clearly there are areas we need to improve on from Sydney. We have to have the right game plan and execution.''

Inspirational McCaw returns to lift deflated All Blacks

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/4834206/inspirational-mccaw-returns-lift-deflated-blacks

AFP - July 29, 2008, 5:18 pm

AUCKLAND (AFP) - Inspirational captain Richie McCaw returns from injury to boost a revamped All Blacks side in the rematch against Australia, as coach Graham Henry called for a change of attitude.

Also back from injury for Saturday's clash is Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock, recalled to bolster an Australian side seeking its first win in Auckland in 22 years.

The 19-34 thrashing by the Wallabies in last weekend's Tri-Nations Test in Sydney has forced Henry to make several changes to his starting line-up to shore up the weak points.

Notably, the return of McCaw after six weeks out with an ankle injury will allow stand-in captain Rodney So'oialo and Jerome Kaino to return to their specialist positions of No 8 and blindside flanker.

McCaw's absence left a huge hole in the All Blacks ball-winning abilities and they were clearly outplayed at the breakdowns last weekend by Wallabies' trio George Smith, Rocky Elsom and Wycliff Paul.

Sione Lauaki, who had an error-filled run in the first Test against Australia, has been dropped from the squad as has winger Anthony Tuitavake.
Mils Muliaina now moves to the right wing allowing Leon MacDonald to start at fullback while Conrad Smith returns to the midfield in place of the novice Richard Kahui.

"We've made some tactical changes in our selections, but we also need to change how we play," Henry said."Clearly there are areas we need to improve on from Sydney. We have to have the right game plan and execution."

Injury concerns in crucial areas have also hampered Henry's selection.

Andrew Hore, who suffered a hip injury in Sydney, has been bracketed with Keven Mealamu at hooker while Jimmy Cowan, Andy Ellis and Piri Weepu are all bracketed at halfback, with Cowan and Ellis both in doubt.

A final decision on the injured players will be made on Thursday.

Injury forced Mortlock out of Australia's win over the All Blacks last Saturday, a victory which set the Wallabies atop the Tri-Nations table and gave them an early lead in the four-match Bledisloe Cup series.

His inclusion is one of two changes to coach Robbie Deans' starting line-up, with Phil Waugh named to replace the injured Rocky Elson.

Waugh and George Smith will form an imposing flanker partnership.
"They're two quality players, it's good to get both of them on the ground," Deans said.

Ryan Cross, who replaced Mortlock in last Saturday's Test, was named on the bench, bumping Timana Tahu out of the match-day squad.
Hugh McMeniman will take Waugh's place on the bench.

All Blacks (15-1)
Leon MacDonald, Mils Muliaina, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan/Piri Weepu/Andrew Ellis, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore/Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Hore/Mealumu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Adam Thomson/Daniel Braid, Cowan/Weepu/Ellis, Stephen Donald, Richard Kahui.

Australia (15-1)
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Phil Waugh, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Dan Vickerman, Hugh McMeniman, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.

NB : The ABs are in red because grey on black gives a weird white ; and black on black gives nothing. Thanks for your understanding.

**RG Alert : He's back, again**

(thanx Izzy)

Captain fantastic only "fifty-fifty" for Eden Park

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/4828029/captain-fantastic-fiftyfifty-eden-park

Yahoo!Xtra Sport, Neil Reid in Sydney

July 27, 2008, 11:12 am

The return of Richie McCaw to the All Blacks remains up in the air, with coach Graham Henry saying he is only a "fifty-fifty" contender to be fit for next weekend's clash with the Wallabies.
McCaw's leadership and all-round skills were sorely missed as the All Blacks crashed to a 34-19 loss to the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday night.

McCaw watched the match from the sidelines of Sydney's ANZ Stadium, clearly frustrated at the error-ridden and at-times rudder-less showing the All Blacks served up.

It had been hoped McCaw would return for the clash, having been named in the starting 15 by Henry last Tuesday. But just 24 hours later and he was scratched from selection contention, with his ankle injury being deemed not ready for a return. And he is no certainty either for next weekend's return clash at Eden Park.

"I would say it is a fifty-fifty at this stage," Henry said. "He is making progress. He is working on it every day, he trained on it (on Saturday) morning and hopefully he will be right for next week. But at this stage, I think it is fifty-fifty."

Daniel Braid made his first test appearance since 2003 in McCaw's absence in Sydney.
But he was clearly out of his depth, struggling with the step up from playing club rugby for the past two weeks to jumping back into the international arena.
Braid was taken from the field shortly after halftime.

"We thought he was struggling with the speed of the game," Henry said. "He hadn't played a lot of rugby over the last two or three months. He played three games in the last two weeks, he hasn't played much more than that. He was struggling with the pace of the game. The pace of the game was probably as quick as you will ever see, it was a hell of a quick game. So guys who hadn't played at that level for a while would have found that tough."

Meanwhile, Henry says the All Blacks did nothing wrong in the incident which forced a temporary halt to the clash.
Play was stopped around the 50-minute mark after halfback Andy Ellis returned to the field, despite being substituted after 45 minutes.
His replacement Jimmy Cowan was then forced from the field, with an injury Henry described as a "cut lip".
However in the moments leading up to his return to the sideline he had been lying in pain on the turf with a knee injury.

Henry said Ellis was allowed to return to the field temporarily as Cowan had been sent to the blood bin.

Cowan's lip looked fine on his eventual return, however his knee had heavy strapping to it.
"Jimmy came off with a cut lip," Henry said.
He added: "He had a medial ligament question mark. But the medical staff and he thought he was right, so he played. So they passed him as fit."

Pic on the right by FSS on Saturday night --Merci!

Izzy's mission : the Mastercard Roadshow‏ in Christchurch

Our emails from Tuesday 22nd till today [people on the pix, if you want your pic, just contact me!] Izzy in red, me in light purple

*All pics taken in Cathedral Square, at last week's Mastercard Roadshow

*The Roadshow truck. The boys were sitting inside the truck (which was open on the other side), doing their autograph signing.

* some of the "blow-up" fun areas for kids to try out their rugby skills

*this is a side on view of the truck. The boys are inside, underneath the big Mastercard sign.

what is he doing on the pix?

*Mary, in answer to your question he was sitting at the table they had set up in the truck, where the guys were signing autographs. Richie was at the very end, almost not quite enough room for him. They were letting about 5-6 people at a time up on to the truck (from one end), to get the guys autographs. They (the fans) moved along to get each autograph, and then they climbed down from the truck at the other end. Richie, like some of the other guys, from time to time wasn't signing anything so was either chatting away to Leon, fiddling with his pen etc...

IZZY : MERCI !!

Australia 34 // New Zealand 19, Sydney

Merci Sian pour ce lien :)

*(comment for two pics) Guys, please don't fight : Craig is the cutest!

*Don't know for which God did Richie pray, but this God doesn't seem to have heard him.

*Andy scoring (just after my lunch break!)

*Matty passing DC

____

Though our 'men' lost, I really think that was the greatest match of the tournament so far ... thanks a lot Tasman Boyz!

The teams. BBC Sport

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7518830.stm?TB_iframe=true&height=500&width=750

Australia: Ashley-Cooper, Hynes, Cross, Barnes, Tuqiri, Giteau, Burgess;
Robinson, Moore, Baxter, Horwill, Sharpe, Elsom, Smith (capt), Palu.
Replacements: Polota-Nau, Dunning, Vickerman, Waugh, Cordingley, Tahu, Mitchell.

New Zealand: Muliaina, Tuitavake, Kahui, Nonu, Sivivatu, Carter, Ellis;
Woodcock, Hore, Somerville, Thorn, Williams, So'oialo (capt), Braid, Kaino
Replacements: Mealamu, Afoa, Boric, Lauaki, Cowan, Donald, Smith.

Various training pix (July 22 & 23)

Rugby: Braid to stand in for McCaw against Wallabies

http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Sports/tabid/317/articleID/64158/cat/71/Default.aspx#video
http://www.3news.co.nz/News/SportsNews/RugbyBraidtostandinforMcCawagainstWallabies/tabid/415/articleID/64158/cat/71/Default.aspx

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 6:58p.m

Daniel Braid will start for the All Blacks in their Tri-Nations clash with the Wallabies in Sydney this weekend. It will be Braid's first test in five years, standing in for Richie McCaw, who has still not recovered from his ankle injury. Rodney So'oialo will lead the side.

Usual skipper McCaw was up for this morning's training, but the injured flanker was gone by lunchtime, opening the door for replacement specialist open side Daniel Braid to return after five years.

"Some of the Auckland boys have been calling me Xavier Rush, seven years in between," says Baird.

Mccaw's situation is one lock Ali Williams understands only too well.

"Sort of got pretty similar injuries and the pain's frustrating," he says."You can sort of do things but the pain level's quite high, and that's what really makes your decision."

It has been a month since centre Richard Kahui's test debut, and playing Australia is the fulfilment of a boyhood dream.

"It was always the big one. Dad used to pull the chair up close to the couch and the opportunity to be a part of it, it's awesome."

Kahui is preferred over Conrad Smith while winger Antony Tuitavake has a big job in only his third test.

"The person I'm marking is the most devastating player in the team, Lote Tuqiri," says Tuitavake."He was on fire last week, and this week he will be amping to have another big one."

This test build-up has been rather strange for the former charges of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

"Pretty weird to be honest," says Brad Thorn, "and he'll be having a team talk half an hour before the game and I'm going to be in that other team, so it's pretty funny."

The All Blacks will be hoping they have the last laugh on Saturday.

Long wait over for Braid as McCaw succumbs

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/4817915/long-wait-braid-mccaw-succumbs
NZPA - July 23, 2008, 6:15 pm

Five years of waiting is over for Daniel Braid, who will be a more confident figure when he re-enters the test rugby arena against Australia in Sydney on Saturday. Richie McCaw's unexpected race to be fit for the Bledisloe Cup opener ended today when he decided after training that his ankle was not ready for the battle with brilliant Wallabies No 7 George Smith. That task instead falls to Braid, who was not convinced it was a good thing to learn of McCaw's fate a little earlier than expected.

"It might be worse, it gives me time to stew over it," he told NZPA."Actually it didn't really matter when I found out. I've prepared all week as if I was going to play."

Braid, 27, thought McCaw was a sure thing this week when he charged around the training field but it became apparent the 62-test veteran was struggling to recover each day.
"I could see that Richie was sore around the hotel and started to think that maybe I might get the nod."

Braid last tasted test rugby at the 2003 World Cup where 13 minutes against Canada and 54 minutes against Tonga were his lot. The biggest of his three tests came the year before against Wales in Cardiff where he and fellow loose forward Rodney So'oialo both made their test debuts.
Their fortunes then diverged, with So'oialo going on to rack up 46 tests and inherit the captaincy in McCaw's absence while Braid has plied his trade for Auckland and the Blues with no international reward.

"It was pretty frustrating because I had some pretty good form at certain times. I also had injuries and didn't have good form at other times," Braid said. "The fact I was winning championships at Auckland and playing some good rugby at the Blues kept me here. I've always wanted to play for the All Blacks again as well."

The son of former All Blacks lock Gary Braid, the blond-haired flyer did not think he was mentally ready for test rugby when introduced by coach John Mitchell.

"I've changed a lot, I think. I was a pretty young player when I was at that World Cup," he said.
"I'm more confident in myself, being a more mature player and I'm a lot more at ease with the guys here. A lot of them I was in the team with back then were really young guys as well -- Richie, Dezzy (Daniel Carter) -- and they've come through and they're leading the team really well now."

He believed he was ready for the enormous challenge of countering Smith and the cohesive Wallabies pack at the breakdown.

"I've played quite a few years against George, very solid at the breakdown, you've got to get him early before he gets there because he gets in a very good position. He's also a very good ball runner, he's one of their key carriers when they're turning over phases."

Braid said he had shaken off the calf injury that ruled him out of the New Zealand Maori team's Pacific Nations Cup campaign. He came through two club fixtures and last week's Ranfurly Shield defence against Poverty Bay without any recurrence. The question surrounding McCaw now is whether he will be fit for next week's return test against Australia in Auckland. So'oialo did well to hide any disappointment that the regular skipper's bid to play in Sydney had fallen short.

"I always thought it would be pretty tough for Richie, coming back from an injury like that," he told NZPA."Daniel's a great player, he's got a lot to offer for this team so it's good to have him back after being away for so long."

So'oialo indicated the left-right flanker system employed in all five New Zealand tests this year would be ditched to accommodate Braid.

"Having Daniel is probably a good thing. Having him as a specialist openside will benefit the team against a team like Australia."

He is back (part2)

title by Izzy (also known as "my brain"!) who also sent the pix

and a tongue shot for the tongue shot lovers =)

**RG ALERT : CAP IS BACK**

(thanks for the news and the pics Izzy and good luck!)

TN 2008 : Australia vs South Africa, Perth

16 to 9 for the Wallabies :

(mostly starring Matt Giteau because Matty will always be

Matty!)

__________

The rest of the schedule and the results (no need to speak French!! but the time is Paris Time!!)

http://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/RugbyResultatGroupe465.html

McCaw makes flying visit to base

John Alexander - The Marlborough Express

Friday, 18 July 2008

All Black rugby captain Richie McCaw made a spectacular and surprise entrance at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, Blenheim, yesterday.

His visit was arranged by the RNZAF, although most at the base were supposedly unaware of it.

An aviation enthusiast and qualified pilot, the injured rugby flanker flew from Christchurch in an RNZAF Air Trainer, which he landed at Woodbourne like a seasoned professional. He was then was ferried by Iroquois helicopter to the parade ground on the northern side of the base.

His visit was arranged so he could speak to recruits and other staff at the base about leadership.

McCaw spoke about his role with the All Blacks and how the team was organised and structured on and off the field.

He told the crowd his boyhood rugby hero was Wayne (Buck) Shelford and that Makos coach Todd Blackadder had a big influence on his career.

Flying is one of McCaw's passions. He holds a private pilot's license and has logged more than 200 hours powered flying and over 100 hours in a glider.

He is patron of a Christchurch trust set up to maintain an old DC3 aircraft which he has a rating to fly.

The popular rugby captain said he enjoyed gliding at Omarama, where he and his parents own a house, and said he'd like to get his commercial license so he could fly passengers in the DC3.

Ruled out of last week's test against the Springboks due to an ankle injury, McCaw said he was not sure when he'd be able to play again.

"It's coming along all right. I've done a bit of running on it. Hopefully I'm not too far away (from playing) but I'm not sure."

Next week's clash against Australia, coached by his former mentor and friend Robbie Deans, is something he hopes to be part of.

"It's the Wallabies we are playing against and you want nothing more than to beat them, I tell you."

Squadron Leader Phill Bedford, who helped co-ordinate McCaw's visit, said the RNZAF was deadly serious about leadership and there were several parallels with McCaw's All Black job and the role RNZAF leaders had in guiding their staff to achieve excellence.

SURPRISE: All Black rugby captain Richie McCaw speaks to squadron leader Phill Bedford, left, soon after disembarking from an Iroquois helicopter at Woodbourne yesterday.

Captain Fantastic joins the air force

http://stuff.co.nz/4622907a10295.html

By SALLY FRENCH, Stuff.co.nz

Friday, 18 July 2008

All Black Richie McCaw took to the skies with the Royal New Zealand Air Force yesterday.
McCaw was flown from Christchurch to Air Force Base Woodbourne in a bright yellow CT-4E airtrainer.
Once arriving in Woodbourne the currently injured All Black captain spoke to officer cadets and recruits about management and leadership before he was flown back to Christchurch.
Air Force spokesperson Anna Susmilch said having McCaw on board made the routine training flight "an experience a little out of the ordinary" for the pilots and crew.
Click here to see photo gallery.

TOP GUN: Injured All Black Richie McCaw

onboard a RNZAF training flight.

Rugby: McCaw could be back earlier than expected

http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Sports/tabid/317/articleID/63582/cat/70/Default.aspx#video

http://www.3news.co.nz/News/RugbyMcCawcouldbebackearlierthanexpected/tabid/415/articleID/63582/cat/70/Default.aspx

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 5:08p.m

Richie McCaw could be back earlier than expected.
It was originally thought McCaw's ankle injury would keep him sidelined until the middle of next month. But the All Black captain says he wants to return two weeks early against the Wallabies in Auckland.

Today Richie McCaw was on hand to introduce the latest plan to get fans behind the All Blacks. Canterbury University's Engineering Department has come up with technology which can put up to 100,000 names on a single thread on an All Black jersey. Richie's name is already inscribed.
But the real news is that the dynamite flanker could be back from injury sooner than first thought.

“We go into camp on Sunday and I’ll be talking to medical staff and coaches as to what the plan is from there so hopefully we'll have something sorted that won't be too far down the track,” says McCaw.

McCaw suffered ankle ligament damage in last month's test against England. It was thought he would be out until mid-August but McCaw says his rehabilitation is coming along well. He could be back two weeks early for the Auckland Bledisloe Cup match in early August. “There's definitely a chance not ruling that out at all. As I say, it is little bits at a time, don't want to be silly about it either,” says McCaw.

McCaw's skills have been missed. South Africa showed up the All Blacks at the breakdown.
The All Blacks next match is against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday week, but they will not be wearing the newly invented flash new jerseys.

The first one will be presented to McCaw at the Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong later this year.

_________

McCaw launches new technologies

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/video_popup_windows_skin/1919200

Richie McCaw is well on the way to a full recovery and is certainly making good speed as well but this week the injured All Blacks capatin launched some new jersey technology

All Blacks draw big crowd in Oamaru

http://www.odt.co.nz/the-regions/north-otago/13099/all-blacks-draw-big-crowd-oamaru

By David Bruce on Mon, 14 Jul 2008

About 1200 people in Oamaru have All Black captain Richie McCaw to thank for yesterday being the first town to be visited by the All Blacks road show, after its launch in Dunedin at the weekend.

The Mastercard road show, designed to bring the All Blacks' experience to grassroots rugby supporters, was a big hit, some people coming from Dunedin to take part.

It was McCaw who asked, when the road show's timetable was being drawn up, to include Oamaru in the itinerary.

He wanted to give something back to North Otago, where he played his early rugby.

"I thought it was a good place to start," he said.

As a schoolboy being raised in the Hakataramea Valley, McCaw played rugby for Kurow, including travelling to Oamaru for matches.
"I played a fair bit here because it was close to home," he said.

After the road show, McCaw travelled to Christchurch to rejoin the All Blacks squad.

He is looking forward to light training, along with physiotherapy, so he can get back into the team after suffering an ankle injury in the first Tri Nations match against South Africa.

Yesterday, when the road show arrived at Takaro Park, there was already a crowd waiting for it to be set up at 11am.

The good attendance continued until the show packed up about 3pm to move on to Christchurch.
In Oamaru, McCaw and former All Black Buck Shelford were mobbed for autographs and photographs.

The road show features a series of five rugby challenges to give supporters a chance to test themselves.

These include testing themselves under a high ball, pushing over for a try, passing left and right, throwing into a lineout and kicking a goal from a variety of angles, all within inflatables like bouncy castles.

Link and pics sent by Izzy =)

New Zealand 28/ South Africa 30

Training sessions this week.

*Andy Ellis & Sivivatu (in Dunedin)

*Francois Steyn & Peter de Villiers (in Welligton)

*Ali Williams (captain's run)

______
From Dunedin, the match.

*Andy Ellis & Victor Matfield

*Ruan Pienaar, in a wave of ABs (including captain Rodney)

*'Sleepy' Ali Williams

McCaw refuses to rule out early return

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/4781943/mccaw-refuses-rule-early-return

Yahoo!Xtra Sport / Neil Reid - July 11, 2008, 4:38 pm

Richie McCaw says he might be ready for the All Blacks' July 26 showdown against the Wallabies, but he won't be rushed into making a premature return.

The inspirational captain and openside flanker has missed the All Blacks' first two tests of the Tri Nations with an ankle injury suffered in last month's 44-12 win over England.

The initial prognosis was the McCaw was likely to be sidelined for at least six weeks, meaning he would be out of the test arena until the All Blacks' South African leg of the Tri Nations.
But McCaw has a reputation as being a quick healer.

He told Yahoo!Xtra in Dunedin on Friday afternoon that his recovery was proceeding well, and he hadn't ruled out the chance that he could be back in black to take on the Wallabies in Sydney later this month.

"They said six weeks when I did it and we are at the three-week mark now," McCaw said."And I don't think there is too much change to that to be honest. I just started doing a bit of jogging this week and hopefully will be able to get into a bit more running next week. I suppose once we get into that I will be able to have a real good feel as to how it should be. But it has progressed as it should and I can walk around reasonably freely now. So hopefully next week, running will be good."

When pressed further on the chances of being available for the Sydney test, an upbeat McCaw said:

"I don't want to put any time on it. I wouldn't want to do that myself, you might end up doing things different to the way you would do it. It is not out of the question, but there are a few things on what we need to do first."

McCaw joined up with the All Black camp early on Friday.

He also made a late entry into the environment before last week's 19-8 win over the Springboks in Wellington.

Head coach Graham Henry last week explained while it was great to have McCaw around, it was also important that some space was maintained between the team and their injured leader.

That would allow stand-in captain Rodney So'oialo to lead in his own way.

McCaw said he had been impressed with what he had seen from the All Blacks in his absence, both on and off the field.

He added he was not surprised by the composure and impressive mental strength displayed by the All Blacks last weekend.

"I always knew they were going to do that," McCaw said."There are some good players and a lot of experience and I knew that things were just going to carry on. Teams like this are more than just one person. I always knew that was going to be the case. The guys fronted up well last weekend. I haven't been around until today, but apparently they have had a pretty good week too this week, so hopefully they can do the same."

Midi Olympique Magazine nb 101.

Richie McCaw wants to forget the RWC

en français : http://marylanceron.blogspot.com/2008/07/midi-olympique-n101.html

pics : http://marylanceron.blogspot.com/2008/08/mom-article-photos.html

“I doubted a lot”

At the heart of the critics that followed the All Blacks (ABs) defeat, RMC wants to end the story. The ABs captain enjoyed playing and winning the Super 14 (S14) with the Crusaders. His next goal : the 2011 RWC.

By Jérôme Fredon,
Pics by Bernard Garcia,
Translation : MaryL

Nine months after the RWC, are you over it?
Sometimes, this painful memory of the defeat against France comes back to my mind. But I have learnt to take it with philosophy. The toughest was that over the last eight months, any speech about the ABs was about the past. There was of course a lot of disappointment and hard work. For nothing! I was fortunate to soon have opportunities to go back to the field and move forward. In the sense that the victory in the S14 was very good to me because it made me evacuate the devils of Cardiff. Today, I can say I’m over it.

What did you do to forget?
After the RWC, I took a six-week break. I spent Christmas with my parents near Christchurch, then I went to our family holiday house to fish, water ski and glide. I got my gliding licence last year. I was born in this region and I love going back there. I love flying : it enables me to refresh my mind and also fill me up with energy. Up there, there is no one to bother you.

The independent report released in April to the NZRU reveals that the staff had asked you to drop but that you didn’t take account. Why such a choice?
(embarrassed smile) Carl [Heyman] came to me during the last 15min. and told me the staff wanted us to drop as soon as we would have the opportunity to. But I decided to go against the instructions because I had the feeling that we would succeed in scoring a try or getting a penalty, which would have enabled us to play according to our principles. After I realized it was a mistake. But what do you want? For 4 years, we had built our successes thanks to a game of attacks. I made a choice, I have learnt to live with.

About that, many people in NZ reproached you with this decision, saying that you were a bad captain. Do you have the feeling to be pointed at as the scape goat?
Saying that I appreciated these critics would be lying. Everything because my position on the field doesn’t make me see the whole game : my head is constantly in mauls, rucks, … and that would make me lose some lucidity. That’s quite funny! They all forgot that I am a human being and therefore I’m not perfect. Whatever my position, I make mistakes. I have never said I had stopped learning, even now that I am 27! Everytimes I go and play, I learn. So to me playing flanker and being captain is not a problem. But as everybody has their opinions on the subject, I prefer not telling more. You know, I think that NZ is the Brazil of rugby : every defeat is banished ans hard to be forgiven. You gotta live with it.

Yet when you came back to Christchurch airport from France, the welcome was pretty warm…
That’s true. Seeing there thousands of fans applauding us as if we had won staggered me. It was a real surprise to me. It was not like in 2003*. But slowly passion rose up and the critics appeared.
*After the SF lost to Australia (22/10), some Abs got their luggage back at the airport with ‘loser’ written on.

Were the critics against Graham Henry (Ted) justified?
Not really. Of course we didn’t play as well as we used to but Ted was not playing. All this anti-Ted campaign before his re-appointment and these pas weeks shocked me. People made him a …. It’s not fair but it’s life. We players are the only responsible people of this failure. As I didn’t follow the advice of the drop kicking, I take my responsibility of the failure too.

Indeed NZ didn’t play their best rugby that night. But do you really think that the best team won?
Sure. That night, France performed very well, especially in defense where they were very generous as thei pushed back our attacks. We were not able to score on our occasions and committed many little mistakes. They were just too good. There is nothing else to say about their winning.

But don’t you think it was strange to get only one penalty during the 2nd HT as you spent most of the last 15min in the French 22m?
(smiling) I see your point here. I think it’s important to keep some dignity about the way of refereeing. Even if I thought the ref was bad, I wouldn’t tell you. I keep my opinion to myself. Whether he is good or bad, the ref. Is part of the game. If we didn’t get through the following round, it’s because we were not strong enough.

During the 1st match in June vs. Ireland, the Wellington Stadium was far from being sold our. Do you think that because of this defeat during the RWC, the Abs lost support from their fans?
I understood the people who didn’t attend the match because it was freaking freezing! It was the worst weather conditions I’ve ever had to play in –most of us! I really don’t think the Abs are less supported. People are a bit angry, it’s logical. When you play with the Abs, you must be perfect and always win. And even if we failed, I think that with the time, anger will vanish.
Personal note to Jérôme Fredon : us, Abs fans, Richie Girls, whatever our name, have always believed in our boyz! It seems that they are aware of it =)

Despite all this, you chose to extend your contract with the NZRU till 2011 ; why?
Simply because this black jersey is the most important thing for me. Of course I could play abroad and get richer. But it’s not about money. To me wearing another jersey than the Black Jersey wouldn’t have the same taste. I still have a goal, the one of being world champion. I decided to stay in NZ to accomplish this dream.

Yet, in your new contract, you have the possibility to take a sabbatical before 2011. Do you have any doubts?

Not at all. It’s just a way of having an exit-door just in case, you know… But for now, I have no will to use this sabbatical option. I feel fresh mentally and physically. So I stay. I honestly see myself playing in NZ till 2011.

Backstage, the word has it that you hesitated a lot…
True. Especially during the weeks after the RWC. It was hard for me to see my future. 2011 seemed so far. Spending time with my friends and family, being in the middle of nowhere allowed me to take a new start. I had time to weigh the pros and counters. Looking back at it now, I think the conditioning camps of last year was really great. It may have enabled me to gain some years in my career. Without this program, I wouldn’t have extended my contract.

If you need time off, it means that you are not that fresh physically…
Over the years, I have learnt to be more careful, to listen to my body. Without extra time off, I wouldn’t be able to play much longer and live my dream in 2011. especially if the number of matches in the s14 grows over the next years. The Abs staff and the “heads” of the NZRU are aware of this –which is very good.

About that, what do you think of Ted’s idea to use you as a non open side flanker, (open side being your position)?
Why not? Ted’s idea to see me play on the other side came after long talks we had. I told him I felt fit but I needed more time to get my strength back. After an international match, I now need 3 or 4 days to get all my strength. This new position would enable me to play and save some energy.

What do you mean?
For now, the staff gave up this idea as Rodney plays ‘upper’, yet they gave me new objectives : asking me to ‘battle’ less in the rucks to be more available on the openside and carry the ball more.

And you like that?
Of course! Even though my main mission remains to slow the release of the ball and catch it.

You play a bad role, you are often the target of critics. What do you think about you reputation of a cheater –especially when there is a ‘gathering’?
I am often on the limits but I’m not more a cheater than any other player. I got this reputation because I’m the captain of the Abs : in NZ, passion for rugby is so intense that people tend to say it’s more important than being the PM.

Is it hard to live in stardom?
Sometimes. It makes me uncomfortable to be stared at. My dad was a farmer, I grew up in a region where life is tough. I have never thought I would live this kind of life, so commented, under scrutiny. But I am not the only one : every player wearing the black jersey gets the same ‘treatment’. Our moves out of the field are more spied on now. But if you look at every sport, we all got the same evolution. In the end, the pleasure to play is more important than living in a kind of aquarium.

One last word on Robbie Deans, your mentor with the Crusaders who is now the head coach for the Wallabies. Would you have wanted to have him as the head coach for the Abs?
Joker! Regarding my position, I can’t answer this question. The future of the Abs depends on the people at the board. Not on the players. What I can tell you is that it is weird for me to see him on the other side. We have lived so many great moments together. I owe him everything. He launched me with the Crusaders and that made me become an AB. He is an amazing guy and a great coach.

The main reason of his success with the Crusaders?

With him it’s team first, people second. Whoever you were (1st cap with the Crusaders or 50th with the ABs), he always treated people equally. He would always tell us that what matters is to have a champion team, not a team of champions. As you can see, the message was well understood. Because we were all on the same boat, believing in the same speech. Whatever the changes, the team every year, the Crusaders have kept winning. I’m sure he’s gonna use the same method with the Wallabies. I’m really looking fwd to meeting him again. I hope it’s gonna happen during the TN, if I get fit again.

New Zealand 18/ South Africa 9

From Wellington : 1. Andy Ellis and Juan Smith

2. Rodney and Schalk Burger Jr.

3. Ali in a lineout