Injured McCaw out for Crusaders

http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/injured-mccaw-out-for-crusaders/2009/04/30/1240982324952.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

Marc Hinton, www.stuff.co.nz

April 30, 2009 - 1:46PM

Talk about killer blows. The Crusaders are going to have to try to keep their Super 14 semifinal hopes alive without their most inspirational figure leading the way.

Crusaders captain Richie McCaw has been ruled out of the match against the Lions in Johannesburg (1am kickoff Saturday morning, NZ time) with concussion symptoms.
It's a massive setback for Todd Blackadder's eighth-placed side as they face a must-win match to make up some ground on the competition leaders.

To be without their skipper, and the man rated the world's best No 7, makes their task significantly steeper against a Lions team playing for pride and always a tough nut to crack at home.
McCaw has been replaced on the openside flank by Tasman's Jonathan Poff who gets his first start for the season in the most high-pressure of circumstances.

McCaw was initially named in the Crusaders lineup, but when the skipper showed signs he had not fully recovered from a knock to the head suffered in last weekend's loss to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein he was immediately withdrawn.
Blackadder said he was not prepared to take any chances with the All Blacks captain who had complained after the Cheetahs game of feeling a little nauseous. McCaw also has a history of head knocks ruling him out of matches.

"We just followed protocols and processes and have ruled him out because he's not feeling 100 percent right," Blackadder told Radio Sport's Christchurch reporter.
"We only found out during training after [initially] naming the team we're just taking precautionary measures."

Blackadder said McCaw felt about "65-70 per cent" and after normal concussion protocols had been followed the decision was made. McCaw needed stitches to his head after the Sharks game a fortnight ago and then needed more to a cut around his eye after the Cheetahs match.
The defection comes at the worst possible time for a Crusaders side desperately trying to discover an attacking edge to its game after a run of low-scoring affairs.

The Cheetahs defeat, on the back of four narrow victories on the trot, was a major blow as it has left the Crusaders four points outside fourth and with little in the way of margin for error over the last three rounds. They face the Reds (home) and Blues (away) following this match.
The Crusaders coach says he has faith Poff can deliver the performance his side needs. The Tasman openside replaced George Whitelock on the tour after he had to return home to undertake knee surgery but now fronts for the biggest match of his career.

"He's pretty excited all right. He's a seven specialist and we decided against these big guys we needed a real scavenging seven. And he's tough," added Blackadder. "I have to say he's come into a very big game. Our season is really hanging on this result. After last weekend we've put ourselves into a position where we really have to come out firing."

Blackadder has restored lock Isaac Ross, loosie Kieran Read, halfback Andy Ellis and fullback Leon MacDonald to his starting lineup for a match he described as "all or nothing". MacDonald has also been handed the goalkicking duties after a run of sub-standard performances from Stephen Brett.

But it's tries, not so much kicks, that the Crusaders will be focusing on as they look for the attacking spark that can carry them to another playoff appearance.
The seven-time champions have scored just six tries in their last five matches and they have the worst attacking record among the 14 teams in the competition.
Blackadder had earlier in the week lamented his side's inability to put more points on the board and today reiterated those frustrations

"We've got ourselves into a position where the pressure is on to perform. We are going to have to be at our very best [this week]. We have to win and win well to keep ourselves in the hunt. We haven't won a game yet with a four-try bonus point, and that's our challenge."

Asked if he could pinpoint what was preventing tries being accumulated, Blackadder admitted to deep frustration over errors, tactical misjudgements and a lack of patience that were conspiring to undermine the defending champions.
"We're piling pressure back on ourselves and it doesn't need to be that way. That's the really frustrating part," he told Radio Sport.

Blackadder also hoped the restoration of Ellis to starting duties would help after the halfback had been given an impact role last week to spare his tender ribs.
"He's absolutely vital for this team. He gives us that quick ball, he's a good organiser, is very experienced and he's the right man for the big occasion. We're a different side when Andy's in control there."

Ellis' influence even more crucial now with the Crusaders forced to operate without the most important cog in their forward machine.
The Red and Blacks have faced any number of backs-to-the-wall moments over their remarkable run of seven titles and 10 playoff appearances. Now is most definitely one of them.


The revised team is:
CRUSADERS: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Jared Payne, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Colin Slade, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Andy Ellis; 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Jonathan Poff, 6 Kieran Read, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: 16 Dan Perrin, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Ross Filipo, 19 Michael Paterson, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Hamish Gard.

Treat your mum on Mother's day

http://www.crusaders.co.nz/news/treat-your-mum-on-mothers-day/310/news.aspx

Want to treat your mum for Mothers’ Day? How about putting her on a DC3 flight with Crusaders captain Richie McCaw?

McCaw, Patron of the Southern DC3 Charitable Trust, will be on the sightseeing flight around Christchurch with his mother and grandmother at 11am on Sunday, May 10.

The flight is also open to members of the public. All the mothers will receive a pamper pack of cosmetics, chocolate, edible goodies and skincare products as well as a glass of Lindauer on board.

Beth Dunn, from Southern DC3, said: “Richie is tremendously supportive of us and what we are trying to achieve with the trust. Essentially, our goals are two-fold, firstly to gift the aircraft in perpetuity to the people of New Zealand so that she can never be sold overseas.
“She is an active and working example of New Zealand's aviation history and one of only two airworthy DC3's in New Zealand. Secondly, we hope to educate the community about New Zealand's aviation heritage and the preservation of it by over 60 volunteers associated with the airliner.”

McCaw is heavily involved with recreational flying – he owns a glider and also holds a private pilot’s licence.
He told Soaring New Zealand magazine, a publication celebrating the sport of gliding, of how he came to be Patron of the Southern DC Trust.

“I met Dave Archer (one of the trustees) out at Wigram and he offered to let me fly his Archer. He and a few others were passionate about the DC3 and were raising money and asked if I could help. They offered for me to be the Patron in return for being taught to fly it. Once I became involved I’ve developed a real interest in it. It is a really lovely aircraft. It was my first multi-engine entry.”

Click on the link below for more information.
http://www.southerndc3.co.nz/home

Link sent by FSS

Crusaders out of lives

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-14/2367276/Crusaders-out-of-lives-Blackadder

The Crusaders have been read the riot act as the defending champions face the reality of probably needing three bonus point wins to qualify for the Super 14 playoffs.

Coach Todd Blackadder said the red and blacks have "really had a good look at ourselves" in the wake of last weekend's costly 13-20 loss to the bottom-placed Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

The Crusaders slipped to eighth with that result and need to hit back instantly against the Lions in Johannesburg this weekend before facing the Reds and Blues back in New Zealand.

"We need three wins with bonus points to qualify. It's all or nothing ... every game is a final for us," Blackadder said from the Crusaders' Durban base.
"In reflection we are bitterly disappointed with our performance against the Cheetahs but we got what we deserved. It was sub-standard."

Blackadder put the loss down to complacency and inexperience after beating the Sharks the previous week in Durban.

He said that after a promising start mistakes had crept in and the side hadn't been able to adjust again.
"It's a massive learning curve. We couldn't go back to our game plan and that's pressure for you," he said.

Blackadder said the Crusaders would have to play far better to get into the playoffs from here.
That meant being more clinical. He suggested the team was opening up their opponents but were not being ruthless enough in finishing their opportunities.

Leadership across the board was required and that would be looked at hard as they contemplated their team to play the Lions.

They had few injury worries and it was a matter of picking the best side from here in.
He didn't rule out considering experience All Blacks utility Leon MacDonald at first five-eighths.

Cheetahs shock Crusaders

http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/cheetahs-shock-crusaders/2009/04/26/1240606662783.html

Recalled flyhalf Naas Olivier steered the Cheetahs to a 20-13 victory over the Canterbury Crusaders in a Super 14 match in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Olivier scored 10 points from two penalties and two conversions in his first Super rugby game in over two years.

He also produced an outrageous flip pass to fullback Hennie Daniller, who score the decisive try in the 75th minute to seal a rare victory for the South African team. The result dented the Crusaders's hopes of reaching the semi-finals with only three rounds remaining.

The New Zealand side's four-match winning streak was ended in the most unexpected fashion against a side that, before this match, had only claimed one win in the 2009 tournament.

The Crusaders were reduced to kicking over an injury time penalty through replacement fullback Leon MacDonald to ensure they earned a bonus point for losing by seven points or less.

The extra point moved the defending champions to 27 points in the standings and up to eighth. The Cheetahs remained bottom on 11 points, still seven behind the 13th placed Reds.

CHEETAHS 20 (Hennie Daniller, Jongi Nokwe tries Naas Olivier 2 cons 2 pens) bt CRUSADERS 13 (Kahn Fotuali'i try Stephen Brett con Brett, Leon MacDonald pens) at Vodacom Park. Referee: James Leckie (AUS).

My money men: David Campese

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=806740&rss=yes

David Campese / Inside Rugby
17:00 AEST Mon Apr 27 2009

They are the players I'd pay good money to see. The players who light up the rugby field with their talent and skills and provide the thrills that make forking out admission worthwhile.
Players whose vision is so clear and ability to read the game so fast, that they re-define (or re-confirm) how the game should be played.

Here are the top six players who I consider bring the "entertainment" back to rugby.

No1 Dan Carter
It's hard to imagine the Canterbury, Crusaders and All Blacks No10 could get any better as his multiple Tri Nations and Super14 titles show.
He has notched up a stunning 879 points (including 25 tries) in just 59 Tests (an average of nearly 15 points per Test).
The way he plays, he definitely has the X-factor. Whenever he gets the ball you want to watch what he does. We need a lot more players like him in rugby.
Whenever you're looking for something special - he delivers. It puts unbelieveable pressure on the opposition as he is the "go to" man. But so many players have to watch him, it opens up gaps elsewhere.
It's hard to think of a particular game or moment that stands out as a highlight of Carter's career. There's just so many of them, take your pick.
Think of the Super14 games or the All Black Test where he missed five or six shots at goal but thanks to his brilliant general play they still won.
Or his performance in the Second Test against the British and Irish Lions in 2005, where he scored 33 points, an individual single-match record for points against the Lions, which is regarded as one of the greatest games ever played by any player in the history of the game.
He just knows where to run and when. He has this amazing ability to scan the defensive line, find the slower players and run at them. He reads the play in an instant then is good enough to act on it.
It's something I see as innate.
It's a natural ability which is sadly missing at times in the modern player. These days coaches don't seem to like unpredictability as it can't be coached.
It wasn't the same when I played. Unpredictability wasn't coached out of us. Sometimes in a game you can't think, you’ve just got to do it. Carter is like that – he knows when it's on and he just backs himself.


No2 Richie McCaw and George Smith
Two of the greatest ever openside flankers for their countries, and both Test captains, who have in many ways redefined breakdown play.
Sixty eight Test veteran McCaw and Smith, approaching the century-mark with 96 Tests, are the masters at playing "to" the ball and will take the slightest opportunity to instantaneously turn the ball over and send their team away on a counter-attacking raid.
Go back through the tapes and see how many times a McCaw or Smith inspired turnover has led to a breakaway try, which sees them take shared second spot in the value for money table.
They are both vital to their team and with their skills make a big impact on every game they play.
Also they simply don't play bad games and each of them add 10 or 15 percent to their team. Look at the Wallabies against South Africa in Durban (Australia won 27-15) when Smith was playing, then in Johannesburg when he wasn't (the Wallabies lost 53-8).
It's similar with McCaw. The All Blacks and Crusaders are different teams with out him.
They both win the ball and they are great leaders, whether acting as captain or not. They know how to counteract the opposition and have great instincts.
Both of them remind me of Michael Jones (the great All Blacks openside flanker who played 55 Tests from 1987 to 1998), who I played against many times. When you played against Jones you knew if Jones was at the bottom of the ruck – go wide. But if Jones was standing in the backline keep it tight because if Jones was out there and you went wide he would invariably turn the ball over and you'd concede a try.
It's the same with McCaw and Smith. They make a tackle out wide, win the ball and they're away.
Another aspect that makes them good value is they perform consistently week in and week out. So as a fan buying a ticket you know you're going to get your money's worth. Those two players are going to do what they're meant to do and perform.


No4 Matt Giteau
Gits speaks for himself, as does his record of 409 points, including 21 tries, in 65 Tests, and he's still five months short of his 27th birthday.
And my fondness for the Force and Wallabies fly-half doesn't just come from the fact that Matt was brought up in my birthplace, Queanbeyan. He can play anywhere, inside centre, fly-half, fullback – I thought his best position was scrum-half – but wherever you put him he is outstanding.
With Stephen Larkham moving on we needed a No10 and that's where Matt finds himself. He has good vision and he tries things. He's not predictable.
That's the most frustrating thing when you watch players these days. They won't try anything. You never get dropped for trying something. You get dropped for not doing anything.
Another of the aspects that make Matt worth his entertainment dollar is he's one of those players who seem to have so much time.
It's like they're moving in normal motion and everyone else has slowed down. They're just that quick.
Look at that game against the Crusaders recently. The Force were gone and then thanks to Gits they got a draw. Great players make something happen. Gits makes things happen.
Matt is a field of gold in this year's barren Super14 landscape.
I've watched the 'Tahs play and it's very frustrating. They don't play as individuals, whereas Matt is an individual.
Don't get tackled, run into space – those were the lessons we learned but now it seems to be "have contact, kick for line" – in both the 15 and seven-man game. You've got no options left. People want running rugby. That's what makes it spectacular.
I think the big change happened when they outlawed rucking. Now without rucking it's so easy to slow down the ball. Back then you got out of the way quickly because if you got caught in the ruck – it was your bad luck.
We want to promote the game of rugby. But it's losing its character. Think back to my day, you can just reel off players worth paying to watch – Serge Blanco, Philippe Sella, Jean-Baptiste Lafond, Mark Ella, Tim Horan, Nick Farr-Jones, Willie Ofahengaue, Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen … You could just go on and on. These days Gits is one of the few players whose still worth watching.


No5 Brian O'Driscoll and No6 Adrian Jacobs
These two players are very exciting. Very good ball distributors who exploit the open space. O'Driscoll, better known as "BOD" (as "in BOD" we trust’), is the Leinster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions captain who will now always be remembered as leading his country to their first Grand Slam (beating France, England, Wales and Scotland) in 61 years in the 2009 Six Nations.
Although now 30, O'Driscoll still delivers.
I remember him playing against Italy a few times and destroying them and when he plays with Gordon Darcy they form a very good combination. O'Driscoll knows how to exploit space.
The last member of my "top value six" is maybe surprising – 28-year-old Sharks and Springbok outside centre Adi Jacobs, who made his Test debut way back in 2001 before disappearing for a few years before re-emerging.
I had a bit of a hand in Adrain's re-birth into an excitement machine, as skills coach for the Sharks for a number of seasons.
Adi's got good vision and shows the ball well. He's small (1.79metres) but he carries his weight well and he’s learnt to runs his lines. He changes his angles. It's such an important skill which seems to be disappearing from modern rugby. He sees the opportunity – he can step in and swerve. Once more – he's not predictable. That's what makes him so hard to defend against.
At the Sharks the 21 Test Bok links brilliantly with his wings – Odwa Ndungane and JP Pietersen.
When I was at the Sharks the great thing is the players want to learn. How to step, show the ball – that's the difference. Once you learn those basic skills you've got to trust your instincts.
These days players are over-coached. Trust your instincts – that's the simple message. In my day we did it because we enjoyed it and what made it exciting was the passion to play the game.
It's the passion and skill of these six stars that make rugby fans across the world pay to watch them.

This is just one of many great features you can find in the latest edition of Inside Rugby .

Link sent by FSS

Super 14 2009. Day 11. Results

Otago Highlanders (NZE) 11-18 Western Stormers (RSA)

Western Force (AUS) 55-14 Golden Lions (RSA)

Auckland Blues (NZE) 24-31 Queensland Reds (AUS)

Wellington Hurricanes (NZE) 56-7 ACT Brumbies (AUS)

Central Cheetahs (RSA) 20-13 Canterbury Crusaders (NZE)

Northern Bulls (RSA) 33-27 Waikato Chiefs (NZE)

The No Crap 8

A special contribution today from our fave Aucklander, Tess. Great job, I'm sure our readers will appreciate! Big thanks :)

Every Saturday morning during the rugby season, one of the two main sports radio stations (Radio Sport) have a news, views and talkback segment dedicated to the game. Currently it is hosted by legendary (in NZ)broadcaster/commentator/writer/journo etc and good Southern Man, Phil Gifford (a.k.a ‘Loose head Len” in a past life). Part of his hour long show features an informal Q&A with a chosen player called “the No Crap 8”… which are eight (mostly) rugby related questions, but he doesn’t want the same ol’ clichéd answers the NZRU have trained the players to dish out! And FINALLY…after practically every AB & most of the Crusaders, Mac was contacted!!!!(4th April) Unfortunately, they never archive gold nuggets like this BUT fortunately I was able to record it & transpose it verbatim! (how’s that for dedication!), so thought you might like to share with those RG’s who have email. I’ve taken out some of the “um’s & “ahh’s”( there were many) but this is pretty much how it went…


“Our very special guest on the “No Crap Eight” today is Richie McCaw who joins us now”
PG: Gidday Richie, how are you mate?

RM:Not bad. Yourself?

PG:Very good indeed thank-you. Now just quickly, before we get into the questions, when I say “how are you”, usually that’s a very superficial thing that doesn’t really mean how are you, but in this case actually…HOW ARE YOU?....are you still getting any pain from the knee? Because we see you on T.V occasionally breaking into a jog at training.

RM:Yeah,it feels pretty good.It’s the old medial ligament.The biggest thing is you lose a bit of stability until everything tightens up, so I can run in straight lines no trouble & I’m just starting to be able to get into a bit of agility. So yeah, running in straight lines is actually pretty good, you’ve gotta wait the next week to 10 days or so for things to stiffen up..(!)….so, we’re getting there.

PG:Oh good stuff..we’ll keep our fingers crossed for ya mate!

O.k., 1st question, which is kinda ironic, given that you have to work through rehab training at the moment.But,… just between us & the radio, so it’s very private( laughs)…What part of pre-season training do you look forward to the least?

RM:Umm…..that would probably be, the 1st day back where you get a trainer that’s jumping around, been planning for a long time to get his hands on you & you never quite know how you’re gonna be at after a bit of a break. The next day is usually the worst after a weight or running session & you’re usually stiff and sore;that’s what I dread the most. Once you get into it you’re pretty good.

PG: Fair enough, alright now, moving on to something that is terribly enjoyable for you. You’ve flown gliders & planes-can I ask though, what’s the most nerve-wracking mate? Is it the minute before kick off in a Test or the minute before flying solo for the first time?

RM:….(hesitation)..Oooh (big breath)…now there’s a good question! Ahh, I certainly get a few nerves before I go out to play because you never quite know how the teams gonna turn up so I’d almost say that before flying.Although, when the instructor sent me away solo 1st time, before he shut the door he said “don’t stuff it up, don’t become famous!”(laughter)…so I was like….ahhhhh o.k. ( gulp!). But nah, I think definitely the rugby, cause you have guys running at you & you’re never quite sure where they’re coming from.

PG: True enough, at least in an aeroplane, it’s your hands on the controls completely isn’t it.

RM:Yeah

PG:Yeah, dead right…good as gold.Richie, we’re not getting all Woman’s Weekly on you here mate, but I’m presuming you take…, let’s call it an “informed” interest in Dancing With The Stars….

RM:.( “groan”……muffled laughter……)

PG: Now, just between us again…..who is the Crusader that you feel would make an ideal candidate to dance in the show?

RM:Whoaaah!…do you know…actually before I answer that, there’s quite a few guys in the team, they won’t admit to it that they DO in fact watch it.But I reckon Andy Ellis would be ideal.He loves the limelight and you get a fair bit of that AND a good chance to make an idiot of yourself, so I reckon he’d be really good for it.(big guffaws of laughter)

PG: (more laughter)…Yeah right, he’s got alot of publicity with the Ellerslie Flower Show so….

RM:Exactly! Oh and he LOVES being in the spotlight, so I reckon he’d be alright too.

PG:Good stuff….& listen, no dis-respect to the man but I presume, I don’t know if you saw at all, those pink flouncy arms that Josh Kronfeld wore on the show this week.I would imagine that there’s no chance of any #7’s of your acquaintance getting involved in it??

RM:Mate….I reckon that’s THE worst thing about it..they try and REALLY make you look stupid with the clothes you put on, let alone the dancing! Some of the guys have to put make-up on, fake tans, wax their chest & do all sorts!!!

PG: Yeah mate…oooh, nah; it’s making me shudder as well!!!. O.k.…let’s go back and get right down to reality and the basic stuff.When you were a little kid Richie, you lived in North Otago…did you ever play on a field that was covered in frost and ice?

RM: Yep, there was the Kurow Domain where we used to play-loses the sun about 3pm every day so of course you almost get a perma-frost in the corners there.I remember playing on that, we used to train there as well, it was pretty awful.But the worst time was when a coach made us train on snow that had frozen, in Dunedin, when I was in the under 16’s-that was pretty nasty!

PG: Yeah, cause when snow freezes, it has those ugly little ridges on it doesn’t it….

RM: Yeah, yeah-and the 1st XV cancelled training but ha, ha….our coach decided to carry on.

PG:O.k…manly men at 15!…fair enough.Now talking about loose forwards-obviously it’s important for the #8 & the flankers to communicate well. As a matter of interest…who’s the biggest talker or chatterer you’ve ever played with?

RM:Hmm…probably Scott Robinson & the reason I say that is he was the #8 when I started & cause he played a lot at 7, he helped me out on the field & we’d often talk about ways of being as effective as possible.He had a fairly good understanding of what he wanted, what I was doing & what he wanted as an 8. So, he was the one who talked the most.

PG: Fair to say he was also a wildly enthusiastic guy which is nice too, so there we go

RM:Yeah, definitely

PG: Next question Richie, most players say they DON’T but um…again, just between us-do you ever sneak just a little look at what the media hacks have written about you?

RM:…ahh, I don’t NOT look at it. I quess for one reason is when you go to a press conference, often you get asked what was written, y’know, so you don’t want to be surprised about it

PG:…heh, heh

RM:But I think you learn as time goes on, you take it all with a grain of salt everything that’s written, because often, the extreme is either real good or real bad and there’s nothing much in-between and you’ve got to remember it’s not always like that. And the other thing I think about too is when I’ve watched a game that I haven’t played in & someone asks me about it, I really struggle to talk about it without looking at it closely. Whereas a lot of these articles are written from one aspect of the game & sometimes one good thing can make the story, y’know.But certainly, I don’t not read it.

PG:No, fair enough. Next question….When the whistle blows at a breakdown, have you ever been 100% sure which way the penalty will go???

RM: ……(very sheepishly…..)….yeah

PG: Now I know it’s a tricky one for you cause there might be the odd ref listening but….

RM: yeah…(nonchalantly)…I think sometimes you’re not sure but some refs….er…well early on you’re never quite 100% sure but all you ask for is consistency and if you can see when he’s going to whistle, after you’ve worked it out earlier, then you’re pretty happy.But there are certain games where the whistle blows, you see everyone’s face look up and you wonder what way it’s gonna go but the good refs are the ones where you pick it up really early & they stick to it the whole game. Then you know when you’re erring on the side of putting yourself in the danger zone of getting penalized.So, yeah, some games are different to others but I think the people watching sometimes wonder.

PG: Exactly….last question for our special guest Richie McCaw on the no-crap 8.

Richie, who is the sports person you’d most like the chance to meet & maybe have a chat with?

RM:Um…the one person I really admire is Tiger Woods and the reason I say that is, I’m useless at golf for starters but he beats a lot of people just through his mental toughness really. And that’s something, the more I play THIS sport, is the difference between top athletes & top teams. It’s just what purely comes down to the mental side of things. I reckon he’s the one that’s got it mastered the best, so to pick his brains on that would be pretty cool.

PG: Fair enough-Richie McCaw…look thanks very much for your time & of course along with I’m sure everybody listening, all the very best for a quick and complete recovery from the knee injury mate.

RM: Appreciate that Phil!

Super 14 2009 Round 11 - Games

Friday 24 April 2009
Highlanders v Stormers - Dunedin
Force v Lions - Perth

Saturday 25 April
Blues v Reds North Harbour
Hurricanes v Brumbies Wellington
Cheetahs v Crusaders Bloemfontein

Sunday 26 April
Bulls v Chiefs Pretoria

McCaw wary of Cheetahs' claws

http://crusaders.co.nz/news/mccaw-wary-of-cheetahs-claws/308/news.aspx

Captain Richie McCaw says the Crusaders are focused only on the Cheetahs match this Sunday morning (NZ time) rather than thinking about any top-four aspirations.

McCaw said there was no complacency in the Crusaders camp, rather a desire to get the job done at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein.

While the Cheetahs are currently on the bottom on the table, they aren’t scared of running the ball. Their attacking threat was proven two weeks ago when they downed the Sharks, who were then leading the competition.

"We're still definitely in the hunt, but one slip-up and we’ll be in a totally different situation,” McCaw said.

"Pretty much every team's in that situation now. It's an old cliche but we haven't thought too much further ahead. We've got to do the business Saturday, get that right, and it's nice with four rounds to go that we don't have to rely on others, but just do our thing.

"We still got a bit of improving to do, and if we can do that we've got a chance to keep on winning."

McCaw turned in a man of the match performance in the Crusaders gritty 13-10 victory against the Sharks in Durban last weekend despite not playing for five weeks.

“The lungs were certainly feeling it towards the end of the match. Hopefully on Saturday I can improve things a little.”

Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder has shuffled his deck for this match in an effort to share the workload.

Owen Franks comes in at tighthead prop for Bronson Murray, Michael Paterson at blindside flanker for Kieran Read (who has started every game this season), Ross Filipo for Isaac Ross and Kahn Fotuali’i for Andy Ellis. Jared Payne moves from right wing to fullback, replacing Leon MacDonald, with Kade Poki, playing his first game since spraining an ankle against the Hurricanes on February 27, coming on to the wing.

All replaced players are on the reserves bench.

The Crusaders fly to Bloemfontein, which is at altitude, from their Cape Town base on Friday afternoon (SA time).

Super 14 2009. Day 10. Results

Blues v Highlanders 26 - 6

Brumbies v Bulls 32 - 31

Hurricanes v Stormers 34 - 11

Reds v Lions 20 - 31

Waratahs v Western Force 14 - 15

Cheetahs v Chiefs 10 - 28

Sharks v Crusaders 10 - 13

Crusaders dump Sharks

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-14/2344788/Crusaders-dump-Sharks

Crusaders captain Richie McCaw celebrated his return from injury with a magnificent Man of the Match performance as the defending Super 14 rugby champions kept their title hopes alive with a gritty 13-10 win over the Sharks in Durban.

Sidelined for six weeks with a medial ligament strain, McCaw showed no signs of a lack of match fitness in a stand-out 80-minute display of courage and commitment.

He was in the blood bin after three minutes to have a forehead wound attended to and played the second half with his head heavily bandaged, but he typically put his body on the line and scored the Crusaders' only try.

There were ominous signs for the Crusaders when their scrum was split in the seventh minute and the Sharks were denied a try by the TMO, but the home team had the first try three minutes later when lock Steven Sykes made the most of an overlap out wide.

Rory Kockott converted that try but the Sharks did not score again until the 69th minute when Kockott kicked a penalty goal to narrow the Crusaders' lead to 13-10.

The Crusaders had to defend desperately in the final minutes on the back of a eries of free kicks which had the Sharks moving the ball to both sides of the field but not being able to penetrate a stone wall defence.

While McCaw was named Man of the Match, it could easily have gone to either of his fellow loose forwards, No. 8 Thomas Waldrom or blindside flanker Kieran Read. The three formed a lethal combination and appropriately all featured in the move which gave McCaw his try in the 28th minute.

Read slipped an overhead pass to a rampaging Waldrom who split the defence and put an unmarked McCaw over by the post. Stephen Brett converted the try to go with a penalty goal four minutes earlier to have the Crusaders ahead at half-time, 10-7.

Halfback Andrew Ellis, who passed a fitness test on his sore ribs, snapped over a dropped goal six minutes after the break to extend the lead to six points and Kockott's late penalty goal completed the scoring in a match where both teams created opportunities but failed to capitalise on half-chances.

Crusaders wing Colin Slade produced a try-saving tackle early in the second spell when he came from behind to grasp the jersey and pull down one-handed Odwa Ndungane when the Sharks wing seemed set to speed away for the match-winning touchdown.

"It was very tough out there and we had to work hard for the full 80 minutes to get the result we wanted," McCaw said.

"Character goes a long way to getting us that result and while we've got a lot of sore bodies it's easier to get over the knocks when you win."

Crusaders 13: Richie McCaw try; Stephen Brett con, pen; Andrew Elis dg
Sharks 10: Steven Sykes try; Rory Kockott con, pen
Halftime: 10-7 Crusaders

-NZPA

Rugby's top men put bodies online

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/2345102/Rugbys-top-men-put-bodies-online
By SUSAN PEPPERELL - Sunday Star Times

Richie McCaw as you've never seen him before.

A steamy video featuring half-naked New Zealand rugby players swapping jerseys is raising pulses in cyberspace, but has been kicked for touch by All Black legend Colin Meads.

The online campaign features five Super 14 players and invites fans to click on photos of two players, who then remove their jerseys and expose their chests before swapping tops. Once that's done, viewers are rewarded with the opportunity to click on a slow-motion replay button.

The men who reveal almost all are All Black and Crusaders captain Richie McCaw, Tamati Ellison of the Hurricanes, Ali Williams from the Blues, the Highlanders' Jimmy Cowan and Liam Messam of the Chiefs.

The adidas campaign was conceived to promote the new season Super 14 jerseys. It was intended to target women, and marketing manager John Beckett said the hit rate had been "

But Beckett was surprised to learn the ad had also attracted a large and appreciative gay following around the world. Comments posted on online gay sport websites range from "make a swap shorts site and I'll buy every adidas product known to man" to "I'm both disturbed yet strangely aroused."

Beckett was unfazed by the reaction, saying if "they want to follow rugby, that's fantastic".

Meads, meanwhile, is perplexed. He acknowledges today's players have a duty to their sponsors, but he's just not sure if it means having to go all the way. "Beautiful bodies are not what rugby players are about. Us forwards, we never prided ourselves on looking great, that's for sure."

Otago University's gender studies head, Annabel Cooper, says no one should be surprised by the overt eroticism of the ads. Studies on the use of men's bodies in advertising have noted their appeal to the gay market since the 1980s.

Cooper says the objectification of men in advertising is "not one of the biggest issues we confront" but what is disturbing is the degree of attention we give to appearance, an issue first with women and now increasingly with men.

Still, what McCaw, Williams et al get up to on the internet is tame compared to the way three of their British counterparts who, covered only in a little strategic soil and sweat, bare all for the sake of a sports drink. Paul Sackey, Steve Borthwick and Shane Williams may have been issued with their official kit, but they're certainly not shy about having to get it off.

Super 14 2009. Day 10. Matches

Friday, April 17th, 2009
Auckland Blues (NZE)-Otago Highlanders (NZE)
ACT Brumbies (AUS)-Northern Bulls (RSA)

Saturday April 18th, 2009
Wellington Hurricanes (NZE)-Western Stormers (RSA)
Queensland Reds (AUS)-Golden Lions (RSA)
NSW Waratahs (AUS)-Western Force (AUS)
Central Cheetahs (RSA)-Waikato Chiefs (NZE)

Coastal Sharks (RSA)-Canterbury Crusaders (NZE)

McCaw fit to maul Sharks

http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/mccaw-fit-to-maul-sharks/2009/04/15/1239474913551.html
Richard Knowler, The Press
April 15, 2009 - 11:04AM

Openside flanker Richie McCaw's return to fitness has taken on even more significance for the Crusaders with his deputy, George Whitelock, invalided out of the South African tour with a knee injury.

Whitelock has been the preferred No7 since skipper McCaw injured his knee against the Highlanders on March 7 and was expected to be named on the bench for Sunday morning's Super 14 match against competition leaders, the Sharks, in Durban.

Now he has been sent home with Jonathan Poff whistled in as a replacement.
"We were just playing a few games when George tweaked his knee," coach Todd Blackadder said from Durban last night."His knee locked up but it doesn't look to be too serious and he will see a specialist on Friday in Christchurch. All going well, he will only be out for three to four weeks."

The good news for Blackadder, though, is the anticipated return to the starting side of inspirational skipper McCaw.
If the Sharks, who were stunned by a 31-6 defeat by the lowly Cheetahs last weekend, hoped the breakdown master would be sidelined for another week they should prepare themselves to suck a lemon.

Blackadder confirmed McCaw is back training at full noise and is confident the lack of match play will not affect his performance at Kings Park.
"He's running around like a spring lamb ... he seems to be in great physical shape and looks ready and good to go. He's been working pretty hard and we'll be keeping an eye on things," he added in reference to queries on whether McCaw will go the distance.

It would be surprising if McCaw did not play the full 80 minutes; last season he bounced back from a six-week layoff with an ankle injury to lead the All Blacks to a emphatic 39-10 win over the Wallabies in Auckland.

The news is not so bright for fellow All Black Andy Ellis. The halfback is still recovering from the rib injury that ruled him out of the Bulls match on April 3. He may be bracketed with Kahn Fotuali'i when the team is named tomorrow.

Tighthead prop Bronson Murray also skipped the Bulls match because of a calf injury but has been passed fit and will be available for selection, as will veteran fullback Leon MacDonald who was left nursing a tender shoulder.

With centre Casey Laulala's season over because of a broken arm, Blackadder will be forced to rejig his midfield.
He has the option of either using Adam Whitelock at No13 but admitted he was leaning toward shifting Tim Bateman from second five-eighth to centre and bringing in Ryan Crotty.

The Cheetahs' victory over the Sharks in Bloemfontein stunned the competition, just as the Highlanders' 36-12 win over the Bulls on March 28 in Palmerston North left many pundits scratching their heads.

Suggestions the Bulls would use that loss as motivation in their next match in Christchurch proved incorrect as the Crusaders ground out a 16-13 win, and Blackadder will be hoping his men can this time add to the Sharks' misery.
"It just shows any team can beat anyone in this competition," Blackadder said. "The Cheetahs played that game at pace and we'll take the good stuff out of it."

Super 14 2009. Day 9. Results etc...

Blues v Lions 36 - 12

Western Force v Hurricanes 27 - 28

Highlanders v Reds 24 - 19

Brumbies v Stormers 17 - 10

Waratahs v Bulls 6 - 20

Cheetahs v Sharks 31 - 6

shawn mckay's funerals (article)

http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/hundreds-say-goodbye/2009/04/15/1239474919308.html

Super 14 Jersey Swap

Remember that a few weeks ago we mentioned this campaign on the blog?? (here) Well... there is a website where you can see the poster boys swapping their jersey. Now.. you can either google it or email us (maryandfss@hotmail.fr) to get the link. Before you do anything, we must warn you ... there's a lot of skin on show, and by a lot we mean a lot.

Super 14 2009. Day 9. Matches

Friday, April 10th, 2009

Blues v Lions
Western Force v Hurricanes

Saturday, April 11th, 2009

Highlanders v Reds
Brumbies v Stormers
Waratahs v Bulls
Cheetahs v Sharks

Bye : Chiefs & Crusaders

McCaw almost good to go for Crusaders

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-14/2326679/McCaw-almost-good-to-go-for-Crusaders

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder wore a broad smile today, welcoming the news that All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is nearing full fitness and that lock Brad Thorn has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union for another two years.

"It's fantastic to have a guy of Brad's calibre wanting to re-sign and stay," Blackadder said.

"He gives you things money can't buy such as good work ethic and experience and it's a good message for all of our players.

"It shows we run a pretty good environment here and it's a good lifestyle in New Zealand. If you're enjoying your football why would you want to go anywhere else?"

Blackadder said Thorn, 34, had been invaluable to the team, particularly with so many senior players sidelined through injury.

"The younger guys have learnt so much from him and Leon MacDonald. They communicate very well and they're leaders.

"Brad's had an outstanding season. He's brought that hardness and that attitude at a really tough time for us and it's seen us through a tough patch.

"If I was in a rugby team I'd want Brad Thorn in my team because you feel more confident having him there and Leon's exactly the same."

The other bright news for Blackadder before the Crusaders leave tomorrow for three Super 14 matches in South Africa is that inspirational skipper McCaw is likely to return for the first fixture, against the table-topping Sharks at Durban on April 18.

McCaw, who has been sidelined for a month after suffering a medial ligament strain against the Highlanders, ran freely at training today, but Blackadder said he would be assessed after the team arrived in South Africa.

"It depends on how he travels, but if Richie is fit then we will probably start him.

"If he wasn't feeling quite right we may look at bringing him off the bench and limiting his playing time.

"From everything we've been told he's good to go next week. It's not so much about the physicality but it's the turning. His straight-line running is fine, it's just the turning and stepping."

The return of McCaw will help ease the workload on fill-in captain Kieran Read and No 8 Thomas Waldrom, who have played nearly every minute of every match, and young openside flanker George Whitelock.

Blackadder omitted loose forwards, Nasi Manu and Jonathan Poff, and wing Sean Maitland from their travelling squad, opting for a third halfback in Tyson Keats to cover for Andrew Ellis, who is recovering from sore ribs, and second-string No 9 Kahn Fotuali'i.

"We elected to take three halfbacks because we felt we needed the cover there," Blackadder said today.

"Ellis missed last week's game against the Bulls due to sore ribs and while we're confident he'll play a full part in South Africa, we've erred on the side of caution."

An addition to the team is versatile back Hamish Gard, who has joined the squad fulltime in place of Casey Laulala.

Laulala fractured his left arm against the Bulls last Friday and is unlikely to see any further Super 14 action.

"I'm really disappointed for Casey. He showed so much promise early in the season and I felt we were probably leaning on him a little too much as he's a matchwinner and a gamebreaker," Blackadder said.

"We all felt his pain. But Hamish covers 10, the midfield, and he's played a little at fullback. He gives us allround cover and he's another goalkicking option."

Blackadder said the team would be ready for action after a bye this weekend.

"The guys are really upbeat and looking forward to the trip," he said. "They've had a good break from rugby this week and will be raring to go for our first game."

After the Sharks, the Crusaders face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on April 25 and the Lions in Johannesburg on May 1.

The squad is:

Forwards: Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Bronson Murray, Peter Borlase, Jason Macdonald, Daniel Perrin, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Ross Filipo, Kieran Read, Michael Paterson, Thomas Waldrom, Richie McCaw, George Whitelock.

Backs: Andy Ellis, Tyson Keats, Kahn Fotuali'i, Stephen Brett, Colin Slade, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, Adam Whitelock, Jared Payne, Leon MacDonald, Kade Poki, Hamish Gard.

Not travelling: Sean Maitland, Nasi Manu and Jonathan Poff.

-NZPA

Inside the Black Jersey : THE VIDEO!!!!!!!

Thanx to Fiona for the link!!!

Inside the Black Jersey

Adidas launched another campaign about the All Blacks.

To watch their reports, visit http://www.adidas.tv/ (presently 2 out of 5 reports online)

or send us an email at maryandfss@hotmail.fr --title : "Adidas TV" and we'll forward all the details.

Thanx to Sian for her help :)

ps : Just two things :
"oh Flower of Scotland, when will we see, your light again..."
YES HE CAN....

Now, you go and watch the reports!!!

Super 14 2009. Day 8. Results

Crusaders v Bulls 16 - 13
Western Force v Reds 39 - 7
Sharks v Hurricanes 33 - 17
Chiefs v Lions 36 - 29
Waratahs v Stormers 12 - 6
Cheetahs v Brumbies 27 - 40

Brumbies emotional weekend launched with their victory and ended with Shawn McKay's death (read : http://richiemccaw-bis.blogspot.com/2009/04/shawn-mackay-passes-away.html )

Crusaders grind out win over Bulls

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-14/2313631/Crusaders-grind-out-win-over-Bulls

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Rugbyheaven

The defending champions are right back in the mix. After going win-less for four rounds Todd Blackadder’s team have now stitched together three consecutive wins to reignite their campaign, the latest a desperate 16-13 victory in Christchurch.

They sit out the bye now and when they resume against the Sharks in Durban in a fortnight they should have injured skipper Richie McCaw – a water-boy full of advice at AMI Stadium – back in their ranks.

The Bulls meanwhile, find their season stuttering. Five consecutive wins have now been followed by two losses in the last two weeks in New Zealand.

This is a result that has further tightened a championship already compressing over the past few weeks.

And in that environment the Crusaders are as dangerous as anyone. They are a side, after all, who know that it’s the business end of this competition that matters most and they are finally starting to find their game - a bit.

What should be remembered is that throughout this mixed season from the red and blacks they have maintained one of the best defences in the championship. Once they add some real rhythm with their attack they will be a menace to any side in the competition.

The Crusaders looked to play a game full of pace with their attack going wide when possible. When they stretched the Bulls’ defence they proved effective going up the middle as well with their big men enjoying the raids.

The Crusaders’ attack started in fine form, full of high-speed accuracy. That dropped away in the second quarter when they squandered a couple of promising moments with poor handling.

Sadly it fell away further in the second half when they rarely threatened the Bulls tryline and in the end had to hang on grimly for their treasured win.

The Crusaders’ tight five proved more than a match for the Bulls. They enjoyed a surprising advantage in the lineout and produced a solid scrum that even managed to claim first half tighthead off the visitors.

All Blacks lock Brad Thorn was outstanding in all facets, including some crucial moments tidying up several messy situations in the dying stages.

Skipper Kieran Read led an energetic loose forward trio who managed to dominate the breakdowns and the turnovers.

Stephen Brett had a mixed night at first five but importantly he enjoyed a perfect night with his goalkicking and that proved the difference in the end.

The Bulls will lament this. But they too were guilty of too many errors and not backing their outside backs. They played for their conservatisim.

The Crusaders got off to a great start. A Leon MacDonald bomb found space inside the Bulls’ 22 and Colin Slade won it back, flicking on a quick pass for young lock Isaac Ross to score.

Brett added the conversion and a penalty soon after to make it 10-nil after 15 minutes.

The game swirled from one end to the other before the Bulls struck five minutes before halftime. Big second five-eighths Wynand Olivier, celebrating his 50th Super rugby game, broke through the tackles of Tim Bateman and MacDonald before sending out a good pass for flying wing Akona Ndungane to score in the corner.

The Crusaders weathered an early storm at the start of the second half and when they got down into the shadow of the Bulls’ goalposts they gave the visitors a taste of South Africa with Brett producing a well-taken dropped goal to give them an eight-point buffer.

Flanker George Whitelock did well to clean up a dangerous chip kick into the Crusaders’ goal as the Bulls found a bit more urgency.

The visitors made no mistake soon after when Ndungane dived over in the corner again.

Morne Steyn, who had missed both sideline conversions, slotted a penalty from wide out to tie the scores at 13-all and confirm a shift in momentum as the Bulls started to dominate.

These Crusaders weren’t finished though and they earned another three points courtesy of a Brett penalty to edge in front again with 15 minutes left.

They hung on grimly for what may prove a crucial result.

They get a chance for a breather now and the Bulls are left to contemplate the continuance of their Christchurch horrors where they have not won since the very first year of the Super 12 way back in 1996.

Crusaders 16: Isaac Ross try; Stephen Brett con, 2 pen, dg.

Bulls 13: Akona Ndungane 2 tries; Morne Steyn pen.

HT: 10-5

Richie McCaw talks on the BSport Breakfast

Richie McCaw talks gliding, and a little rugby with the BSport Breakfast guys

http://www.3news.co.nz/Audio/3Sport/tabid/379/articleID/92358/cat/70/Default.aspx#video

Super 14 2009. Day 8. Matches

Friday April 3rd, 2009

Canterbury Crusaders - Northern Bulls

Western Force -Queensland Reds

Coastal Sharks -Wellington Hurricanes

Saturday April 4th, 2009

Waikato Chiefs -Golden Lions

NSW Waratahs -Western Stormers

Central Cheetahs -ACT Brumbies

Super 14 2009. Day 7. Results

Auckland Blues 22-27 NSW Waratahs

Otago Highlanders 36-12 Northern Bulls

Canterbury Crusaders 11-7 Western Stormers

Queensland Reds 26-50 Waikato Chiefs

Coastal Sharks 35-14 ACT Brumbies

Golden Lions 32-38 Wellington Hurricanes

Injured ABs set for Super 14 return

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/5470017/injured-abs-set-super-14-return
Yahoo!Xtra Sport / Neil Reid - April 1, 2009


All Black stars Ali Williams and Richie McCaw should soon be cleared for a return to duty with their respective Super Rugby franchises.

And hopes are high that Chiefs wing Sitiveni Sivivatu's shoulder injury is not as bad as first feared.

All Black doctor Deb Robinson said she has been monitoring closely the injury status of test stars who have been sidelined during the first seven weeks of the Rebel Sport Super 14.

McCaw has been out with injury since the Crusaders' round three loss to the Highlanders with knee ligament damage.

However, he has made a return to limited duties, predominantly straight-line running.

The Crusaders' medical staff are gradually working on increasing the pace at which McCaw is running, as well as carefully getting him back into lateral movement.

He will again be sidelined for Friday night's round eight clash against the Bulls in Christchurch.

The Crusaders then enjoy their competition bye.

Robinson said at a pinch that McCaw could have been fit to play the weekend of the bye.

But the extra week off should benefit him, with the All Black captain likely to make his long-awaited return to the field in the April 19 clash against the Sharks in Durban.

McCaw's 2008 Crusaders' team-mate Ali Williams also joined the All Black injury ward last weekend, being forced from Eden Park in the Blues' loss to the Waratahs.

At first it was feared he had suffered a serious Achilles injury.

However, scans have since declared he should be ready for the Good Friday clash against the Lions, with the Blues having their competition bye this weekend.

Robinson said Williams was already showing strong progress and had good movement around the troublesome Achilles.

Meanwhile, Robinson said Sivivatu appeared to be responding well to treatment on his injured shoulder.

The All Black wing, who has been in outstanding form over the past two weeks, damaged his shoulder while diving over the try-line at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium during the Chiefs' demolition job on the Reds last weekend.

He reeled away in pain, with the pain magnified when the match officials showed their incompetence in refusing to award the try.

Robinson said Sivivatu had a history of shoulder injuries when he put too much impact on the joint.

However, she said it was hoped that the latest flare-up was not a serious one.

As well as monitoring the fitness of test regulars, including in weekly injury updates to team management, Robinson has also been charged by the side's coaching team to monitor the status of potential bolters for the upcoming Iveco Series.