tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284724642024-03-16T08:08:58.584+01:00Richie McCawCrusaders and all blacks skipperTraveler internationalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582695092794320184noreply@blogger.comBlogger1986125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-63250597369598225202013-07-15T11:39:00.001+02:002013-07-15T11:39:55.680+02:00All Blacks Richie McCaw and Kieran Read say thanks to our 2 million Face...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/483jlbHA9QM" width="480"></iframe>MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-50120362806058568252013-07-15T03:52:00.001+02:002013-07-15T03:52:14.134+02:00Rugby: Richie McCaw's back<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rLtXj0YBKqo" width="480"></iframe>MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-15621883458682966882013-07-09T11:28:00.001+02:002013-07-09T11:28:10.682+02:00adidas Rugby | Richie McCaw talks about Pressure<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aZX_39FjgGM" width="480"></iframe>MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-45066190553486121832013-07-09T11:27:00.001+02:002013-07-09T11:27:32.169+02:00adidas Rugby | Richie McCaw talks about Pressure<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aZX_39FjgGM" width="480"></iframe>MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-85553012013424966862013-07-09T11:26:00.003+02:002013-07-09T11:26:56.983+02:00adidas Rugby | Richie McCaw talks about Challenges<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/blVXbMRrZnY" width="480"></iframe>MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-37258294552620081372013-07-09T11:26:00.001+02:002013-07-09T11:26:25.701+02:00adidas Rugby | Richie McCaw on leadership<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KantdzslpMA" width="480"></iframe>MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-18112624628835275212013-03-13T09:38:00.001+01:002013-03-13T09:38:30.732+01:00What are the All Blacks on about?MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com228tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-86943729555517036002013-02-26T13:33:00.001+01:002013-02-26T13:33:50.842+01:00Rugby Herald: Blues vs Crusaders<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_EutEs-ZkIk" width="480"></iframe>MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-53228569358253828872013-02-22T14:41:00.001+01:002013-02-22T14:41:42.923+01:00Richie McCaw - Weet-bix challenge<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/omFwSpDG7JI" width="480"></iframe>MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-40441689459473846952013-02-17T16:04:00.002+01:002013-02-17T16:04:44.343+01:00Being friends with famous peoplehttp://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/columnists/hadyn-jones/8314126/Being-friends-with-famous-people<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;">HAYDN JONES</span><br />
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<span class="red_bold_text" style="color: #d12421; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">OPINION:</span> Richie McCaw and I are pretty tight. Sure, it's been six years and when we met the other day he called me Hamish but, hey, that's nothing. When you are old friends, you let those minor mistakes slide.</div>
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I have actually spent a weekend with Richie McCaw. It was 2007 in Omarama in the middle of the South Island. Every day he went gliding for hours and hours and I waited on the ground with my camera crew drinking milkshakes.</div>
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I learned a few things that weekend.</div>
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The first is that Omarama has surprisingly good milk products considering the nearest cow is hundreds of kilometres away.</div>
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The second is that a glider can stay in the air for a really long time.</div>
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The third is never have a cooked breakfast before going in a helicopter. A helicopter is not a car; if you get motion sickness you can't open a window or pull over when you feel like having a spew. The pilot told me to take my shoe off and make full use of it. That's all you need to know about that.</div>
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Richie McCaw is pretty much as you see him on the telly. He's a genuine bloke, pretty relaxed and doesn't like a big fuss being made. While my camera crew and I stayed in Omarama's nicest hotel, he bunked down with his uncle in a caravan. Richie and I shared fish and chips one night on the bonnet of a car. It was great.</div>
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Richie's parents were there and they are the salt of the earth. I invited myself back to the McCaws' house in Canterbury last year and Mrs McCaw made scones. They were baked from premade scone mix but she told me that's what all the farmers' wives were doing these days. I wouldn't have known if she hadn't told me.</div>
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The McCaws are proud of their son, but also aware rugby isn't everything. Richie's mum hopes he gets right out of rugby when he's finished. I think he'll end up gliding and drinking milkshakes in Omarama.</div>
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In journalism you meet a few famous people. They are fleeting encounters you remember for a long time and they forget the moment you walk out the door. I had a massive man-crush on Ken Rutherford as a young man. He took me for a coffee, once. I was a sports reporter and he was selling his book. I could hardly say a word and definitely couldn't tell him I didn't like coffee.</div>
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I've also had my fair share of fame. My wife and I were once introduced over the PA to the crowd at halftime in a small-town ice hockey match in Canada. The locals were stunned we were honeymooning in Comox, population 2000. Look it up if you have a moment. It's like honeymooning in Huntly, but with a skifield.</div>
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I've also signed autographs for kids at primary schools. They thought I was Simon Dallow. I have quite a scribble so it will be many years till they figure it out.</div>
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Fame is funny.</div>
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We are a bit obsessed by it, but I think if you ever achieve it, it gets boring very quickly. I can attest to this; there's only so long you can be Simon Dallow before you start getting hand cramps from all the scribbling. I should really leave that job up to him.</div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- © Fairfax NZ News</strong></div>
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MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-43131586476050610522013-02-14T20:13:00.001+01:002013-02-14T20:13:47.159+01:00TVC - You Are The Difference<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bzy5mAxYZyA" width="480"></iframe>MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-16401001860443871842013-02-14T08:11:00.001+01:002013-02-14T08:11:03.523+01:002013 Investec Super Rugby launch<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hKf9DBdiMMk" width="480"></iframe>MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-31301101993239866092013-02-07T11:42:00.002+01:002013-02-07T11:42:35.669+01:00McCaw cheers school after tragedyVidéo<br />
http://tvnz.co.nz/seven-sharp/richie-mccaw-meets-survivors-climbing-tragedy-video-5334275<br />
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Article<br />
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/8262467/McCaw-cheers-school-after-tragedy<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;">KIRSTY MCMURRAY</span><br />
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There were big smiles all round at Spotswood College yesterday as All Blacks captain Richie McCaw took time out of his holiday to visit the school.</div>
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Principal Mark Bowden said McCaw was there to talk to the school's senior students in the wake of last year's Paritutu tragedy.</div>
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In August last year Spotswood College students Stephen Kahukaka-Gedye and Felipe Melo, both 17, and their Taranaki Outdoor Pursuits and Education Centre instructor Bryce Jourdain, 42, drowned after being swept out to sea while climbing around Paritutu rock.</div>
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McCaw spoke to the families and friends of those lost before addressing the school's new set of leaders and senior class.</div>
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McCaw said while it was impossible to know what to say to the families, he was pleased to be able to offer what comfort and distraction he could.</div>
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"To be able to turn up and say hi and get a smile and a laugh and get their thoughts away from it for a while, I enjoy being able to do that."</div>
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He said the school had been through a tough few months and would no doubt still have more to come.</div>
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"I think just the fact that people take some time and show some support. There's people outside, they don't realise, whose thoughts are with them."</div>
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Mr Bowden said it was especially good to have McCaw visiting on the day the school's peer-support leaders for 2013 were heading off to a leadership training camp.</div>
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"We've got the number one sports leader in the country here and for him to share his thoughts and wisdom about leadership is absolutely fantastic."</div>
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Spotswood College head boy Tane Leong said it was inspiring to hear McCaw speak. "When he talks to us he's so genuine and he's just one of the people. It's great."</div>
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McCaw also presented the school with a cheque from Westpac for $1000.</div>
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Mr Bowden said the money, along with money donated by student councils from around the country would be put towards a Paritutu memorial.</div>
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The memorial will be revealed in a ceremony on December 8 this year, the anniversary of Stephen Kahukaka-Gedye's memorial service, he said.</div>
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Mr Bowden said he would be consulting with the whole school community about it.</div>
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The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is expected to complete its report into the Paritutu tragedy and decide if any charges are to be laid by Friday.</div>
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<br />MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-37651517417837262782013-01-30T08:45:00.004+01:002013-01-30T08:45:47.930+01:00Pizza with All Blacks Captain Richie is top of Kiwi Wish List<span style="background-color: white; color: #cc3333; font-family: 'PT Serif Caption', Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;">January 22nd, 2013</span><br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">More than a quarter of Kiwis surveyed named rugby star Richie McCaw as the celebrity they would most like to have lunch with, followed by broadcaster Paul Henry and supermodel Rachel Hunter.</strong></div>
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The Domino's Survey* about the lunchtime habits of New Zealanders found that nearly a third (34%) of workers will buy lunch as an occasional treat, with more than 3 out of ten (31%) willing to splurge and spend up to $20 when they do eat out.</div>
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Eating lunch el desko is not a popular option, with a third (35%) of workers admitting they can't wait to get away from their desks for a break come lunchtime, but close to the same number (36%) of Kiwis have worked through lunch during busy periods.</div>
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Almost half of respondents take 30 minutes for lunch before heading back to the grindstone, and around a fifth (20%) of workers will only take 15 minutes - the equivalent of a short break.</div>
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About one out of five (17%) of workers take a full hour whenever they can and 13% will try to drag out lunchtimes as long as possible.</div>
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When buying lunch, workers state that they prefer pizza and sushi, with most respondents saying they'd like to share their favourite slice with rugby star Richie McCaw.</div>
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More than half (56%) said they would choose pizza, followed by sushi at 33% and last night's leftovers nearly a quarter (24%). The least popular lunch options are a hot baguette, followed by a healthy salad.</div>
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Eight percent of those surveyed admitted to stealing their workmates lunch saying that if it was in the communal fridge it was fair game. A further quarter (25%) say the only thing holding them back is that none of their colleagues ever bring anything worth stealing!</div>
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Two thirds (66%) of workers think that a person's lunch is sacred and should be treated as such.</div>
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The celebrity most respondents would choose to share a pizza with was Richie McCaw (32%) this was followed by Paul Henry (23%) and Rachel Hunter (22%).</div>
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To read the end of the article, please check : http://kerikerirugby.com/2013/pizza-with-all-blacks-captain-richie-is-top-of-kiwi-wish-list/</div>
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Same here : http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10860709</div>
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MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-55455427330198077192013-01-30T08:43:00.002+01:002013-01-30T08:48:02.928+01:00Review : "The Open Side"http://www.farmingshow.com/opinion/review-richie-mccaw-open-side<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Sans', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">By: </span><a href="http://www.farmingshow.com/opinion/search/?operator=search&newsbyline=Mark%20Wilson" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Sans', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">Mark Wilson</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Sans', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"> | Tuesday, January 29, 2013</span><br />
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As tradition states each Christmas I receive a biography tailored for a Kiwi male. Its subject is generally a national or international sporting icon, tradition also dictates that I read this in one day, typically Boxing Day, as I laze around the holiday house in Manapouri. This is a nice addition to the usual fare of sock, undies, petrol vouchers, a few more inches around the waist and strands of grey hair.</div>
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I’ve had some real beauts in the past: Tim Shadbolt’s book was humourous, interesting, concerning and insightful all in one. Jeff Wilson’s a classic tale of a Southland Childhood I could relate to without any of the extraordinary sporting talents of he displayed; Zinny was a very good read… I could go on, my shelves at the old family home at Otatara are full of legendary reads books from Sean Fitzpatrick, Jonah Lomu, Ian Jones, JK, Lance ‘EPO’ Armstrong, just to name a few.</div>
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Usually, I am riveted to these well-crafted life tales from some of society’s heroes. However 2012 Christmas tree read was a little different. This is hard for me to say as I feel a little un-Kiwi even thinking it, but Richie McCaws biography The Openside was one I just couldn’t get into at all.</div>
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It started solidly, but I got bogged down in the chapters about the Crusaders, what else can you really say about this team we don’t already know, win win win, while stockpiling some most of New Zealand’s rugby talent and packing out national teams en route to a full trophy cabinet etc.</div>
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They have become the Auckland of the 80’s and 90’s with their excessive success breading disdain among some fans.</div>
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Personally, being a diehard Stags fan, I have never been a fan of the red and blacks in any level of the game and these chapters just lost me. I had to put the book down and have a week off to recover.</div>
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The story of the World Cup was interesting, but apart from a few more insights into the foot issue it didn’t really delve into anything I didn’t already know, only serving to reinforce the iron will of McCaw to represent his country and the desire of the All Blacks to break one of New Zealand’s most troublesome sporting hoodoo’s.</div>
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It really illustrates Richie’s legendary attitude to hard work, but was anyone ever in doubt of McCaw’s commitment to a cause and his almost un-human work ethic and focus?</div>
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The story about his notebook and the scrap of paper with his goals tucked up in his cupboard hidden from those who might judge and laugh as his heady aspirations was great fodder for the next generation of aspiring All Blacks and this along with the material on some of his early days as a club and school player was fresh news to me and perhaps the most interesting part of the book.</div>
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But I’m no longer an aspiring All Black, and those dreams along with being the ruler of the world and finding a wish granting leprechaun at the end of a rainbow evaporated well prior to puberty due to a lack of size and skill along a body prone to more breakdowns than a Twin Turbo Subaru Legacy, alas I had little use for this motivational segment. </div>
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I did go back and finish the book and although I feel I know a little more about one of New Zealand’s all time rugby gods, I could have hit up Wikipedia for most of it.</div>
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There was no scandal, no entertaining tales of behind the scenes touring antics, no insight bar a few lines into the women in his life. Knowing Nicola Grieg I was interested to see what he thought of her Twitter debacle a few years back when they were close.</div>
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I got from some of my prior Christmas reads a real appreciation of the environment these special people in our sporting world operate in, not for its ability to build winners but for the memories and camaraderie garnished by those who operated within it. With McCaw, there was none of this the book was a very clean and clear chronological look at his rugby career and how it pertained mainly to him, it was for lack of a better description boring and predictable.</div>
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Maybe this is a bit harsh or perhaps this is a side effect of greatness, Richie McCaw has given so much of his life to playing sport for his country that we know him so well already, maybe he just doesn’t feel like baring his deepest secrets in public, or maybe Richie’s life has been so filled up with Rugby there actually isn’t much else to report.</div>
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Whatever the reason, Richie McCaw’s book falls well short of his ability as a Rugby Player and left me hoping that he is far more existing in person outside of Rugby than the book would indicate. </div>
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Maybe like Jeff and Jonah, we will be lucky enough to get a second book where Richie can let his hair down a bit more. </div>
MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-70660836193314065392013-01-30T08:42:00.002+01:002013-01-30T08:42:11.120+01:00Richie McCaw wants to see Zac Guildford 'sorted'http://www.3news.co.nz/Richie-McCaw-wants-to-see-Zac-Guildford-sorted/tabid/317/articleID/284856/Default.aspx VIDEO<br />
<br />
http://www.3news.co.nz/Richie-McCaw-wants-to-see-Zac-Guildford-sorted/tabid/415/articleID/284856/Default.aspx ARTICLE<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 10px;">Tue, 29 Jan 2013</span><br />
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All Black captain Richie McCaw is about to head off on a three-month holiday to the United States, but not before wishing Crusaders teammate Zac Guildford all the best in his battle with alcohol.</div>
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McCaw is still busy off the field, but he's ready for his first true break in more than a decade.</div>
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While the All Black skipper took time out with seven-year-old competition winner Sam Denize, it's his young teammate Guildford whom McCaw is hoping rises to the challenge he faces in his battle with the bottle.</div>
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“You know from a friend, a teammate's perspective, you want to see the guy get himself sorted.”</div>
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But McCaw agrees only Guildford can make the changes he needs too if the pacy winger is to make it over the line and avoid any further alcohol-fuelled incidents.</div>
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“But he's going to have to make sure he wants to do that and by the sound of things he's acknowledged that,” McCaw says. “And I certainly hope he gets things sorted because I want to see him back playing one day. But obviously he needs to change a few things first.”</div>
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Like Guildford, but for very different reasons, when McCaw will next lace up his boots is undecided. He may not see any action for the Crusaders with the Rugby Championship in August his main aim.</div>
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“Whether it’s Super Rugby or whether its club rugby leading up to that, I need to be back training in May and give myself a couple of months to get ready, and as we get closer work out the best way to do that.”</div>
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McCaw's happy to have signed up to a sabbatical, but he's not sure how he'll feel when Super Rugby starts next month.</div>
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“I think that's where it will feel a bit weird when you would normally be running out having to watch, so I’m aiming to head overseas for a while. So I might not see too much but it will be a bit bizarre.”</div>
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It might be bizarre, but ultimately beneficial with defending the World Cup in 2015 remaining the ultimate goal.</div>
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MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-53992698767755895722013-01-09T15:22:00.000+01:002013-01-09T15:22:21.597+01:00McCaw soars over home turfhttp://www.oamarumail.co.nz/news/mccaw-soars-over-home-turf/1707692/<br />
<ul class="piped"><span class="byline">
<li>James Ford</li>
<li> 7th Jan 2013</li>
</span></ul>
The Multi-Class National Gliding Championships in Omarama took off on Thursday and welcomed back a special club member.<br /> <br />
All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw made time for his other love away from rugby, taking to the skies in a club craft.<br /> <br />
Flying is in McCaw's DNA - his grandfather was a fighter pilot in World War II and his father, Don, is also a keen glider.<br /> <br />
McCaw senior spent the afternoon in a tow-plane taking other pilots up
while his famous son soared over the valleys, eventually gently touching
down in the late afternoon.<br /> <br />
The 32-year-old grew up 50km from Omarama at the family farm in the
Hakataramea Valley and said he was pleased to be back and is intent on
quenching his thirst for gliding over the coming weeks.<br /> <br />
"I'm trying to get my fix of gliding time in January.<br /> <br />
"It's always really nice to come back here for a few weeks," he said.<br /> <br />
"It's a really nice community. Our family farm is close by so I look forward to coming back."<br /> <br />
"My dad loves gliding and I've got a couple of cousins here too so it's
been a lot of fun. Oamaru was the closest town (growing up) and it's a
great area."<br /> <br />
The Crusaders star hasn't entered his own personal glider in the
competition but is sharing a club craft with four others in team
Omarama.<br /> <br />
Contest director Ralph Henderson said it was good to have the World Cup winner back.<br /> <br />
"He's a good bloke and it's great to have him around.<br /> <br />
"The family offer a lot.<br /> <br />
"When Richie's here he's a glider pilot and a club member and he enjoys it like everybody else."<br /> <br />
All 30 competitors made it around the course on Thursday but some
tricky weather forced five competitors to land early on Friday, three in
Wanaka and Pukaki, while two others turned back to Omarama prematurely.<br /> <br />
The contest was rained off on Saturday but resumed yesterday.
MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-13314762145022155382013-01-09T15:17:00.001+01:002013-01-09T15:17:06.763+01:00Richie McCaw Interviews First video is available on YouTube<br />
<br />
http://www.therugbysite.com/blog_posts/299-richie-mccaw-interview-comparing-the-good-with-the-bad-by-richie-mccaw<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e1lgEmzjHdY" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
These 4 are only available on the rugbysite.com<br />
<br />
http://www.therugbysite.com/videos/8-richie-mccaw-set-piece-running-lines-defence-breakdown<br />
<br />
http://www.therugbysite.com/videos/16-richie-mccaw-tackle-techniques-defence-breakdown<br />
<br />
http://www.therugbysite.com/videos/9-richie-mccaw-the-breakdown-on-attack-attack-breakdown<br />
<br />
http://www.therugbysite.com/videos/10-richie-mccaw-the-breakdown-on-defence-defence-breakdownMaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-69360240664194011072013-01-01T17:51:00.001+01:002013-01-01T17:51:24.216+01:00January 1st, 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQESKT79nYY/UOMTq727xJI/AAAAAAAAGA8/EmnE6bd5NgY/s1600/vouex+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQESKT79nYY/UOMTq727xJI/AAAAAAAAGA8/EmnE6bd5NgY/s320/vouex+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(I am so sorry for the delay in posting articles... Let's forget the end of the 2012 season ; see you very soon for the one! Best wishes / Bonne année, Mary*L) </span><br />
<br />MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-62105616612698863252012-11-22T19:59:00.000+01:002012-11-22T19:59:10.449+01:00Smith gets the nod as Hansen reveals 'A' team <span class="storycredit">LIAM NAPIER IN CARDIFF </span>22/11/2012<br />
<span class="storycredit"> http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7984855/Smith-gets-the-nod-as-Hansen-reveals-A-team</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Aaron Smith has shaken off a knee injury to hold off Piri Weepu's
push for the No 9 jersey as the All Blacks "A" team is restored for
this weekend's test against Wales.
<br />
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen didn't hesitate when asked today which position caused him the most deliberation this week.
<br />
His response was immediate, and revealing.
<br />
"Halfback," Hansen said in Cardiff.
<br />
"Piri Weepu's performance is the one we've been searching for. His
performance against Scotland was outstanding. Not only did we see his
experience but we saw him getting to the breakdown and clearing the ball
the way we'd like him to."
<br />
After two below-par outings against the Wallabies and Italy, where
his forwards failed to provide enough protection, Smith is officially
on notice from his veteran rival, who could play a pivotal role from
the bench at Millennium Stadium on Sunday (NZT).
<br />
"He may have got caught up in the test against Australia with how
things have been going so well for him," Hansen said, assessing the
reasons for Smith's dip in form.
<br />
"His preparation probably wasn't as complete as he would like.
<br />
"I thought he played reasonably well against Italy. It wasn't his
fault that we didn't do the job as ball carries and at the cleanout. He
got left carrying the baby so to speak, because other people didn't do
their jobs.
<br />
"He was still sharp with his passing when he did get the protection he needed."
<br />
While fullback Israel Dagg returns from injury, Keven Mealamu has
been given time to rest his injured calf, meaning Andrew Hore starts at
hooker and Dane Coles gets another chance to impress later in the
match.
<br />
Beauden Barrett (ribs), Adam Thomson (farcical IRB suspension
appeal) and Tamati Ellison (toe) were also unavailable for selection.
<br />
"With his history of calf injuries we felt we would be better off
being cautious and giving it another week rather than pushing him,"
Hansen said of Mealamu.
<br />
"It's also another opportunity to grow Dane Coles who we've been
very happy with on the tour. For the long-term [future] we need Coles
to get as much experience as possible."
<br />
There are three changes from the last time Hansen fielded his
strongest line-up - that being the draw in Brisbane - and nine to last
week's starting side in Rome. As expected, Richie McCaw regains the
captaincy from Kieran Read after having a weeks rest<br />
<br />
After a two week trial, Hansen has confirmed Julian Savea, with 10
tries from seven tests, is New Zealand's best left wing, Luke Romano is
the preferred locking partner for Sam Whitelock, and Liam Messam
remains the premier blindside flanker.
<br />
"Liam has really stepped up this year," Hansen said in explaining why the Chiefs co-captain got the nod.
<br />
"We saw something in Victor's game against Scotland which was much
improved. He was free. He was a little more carefree and looked more
comfortable against Scotland. If he does that we know he's a really
big, gifted athlete."
<br />
Brodie Retallick isn't far off a start, but Hansen felt the Chiefs
lock had endured a big season and singled out Romano's ball carrying as
vital for the opening exchanges.
<br />
The only other talking point was prop Charlie Faumuina's inclusion
on the bench, ahead of new Hurricanes recruit Ben Franks. Faumuina's
ability with ball in hand gave him the edge.
<br />
<strong>All Blacks:</strong> Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith,
Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie
McCaw (c), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Andrew
Hore, Tony Woodcock. <strong>Reserves:</strong> Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Brodie Retallick, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith
<br />
<br />
MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-43687387472600315412012-11-22T19:57:00.006+01:002012-11-22T19:57:49.526+01:00All Blacks to pounce on Wales' self-doubt http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7984224/All-Blacks-to-pounce-on-Wales-self-doubt<br />
<span class="storycredit">LIAM NAPIER IN CARDIFF</span><br />
<span class="storycredit"> </span> 22/11/2012<br />
<br />
<br />
Inflicting further self-doubt and exposing Wales' mental frailties could be a major trump card for the All Blacks this week.
<br />
On many occasions, as Warren Gatland explains, Wales have talked themselves out of winning - before a ball has been kicked.
<br />
Much like smothering grey clouds and persistent rain, belief is a
sizeable question mark hanging over the Welsh training base in Cardiff.
It's a problematic, inherent weakness of this team, one that needs to
be rectified if they are to restore some pride at Millennium Stadium on
Sunday (NZT).
<br />
"There are times in the past where Welsh teams have lost the games
before they've taken the field," Gatland, the Welsh coach, admitted.
<br />
The former Waikato hooker saw it first-hand with much of this same
group of men in the World Cup last year. Wales blew the chance to roll
the-then defending world champions South Africa.
<br />
After leading 10-6 at half-time, the Red Dragons were left to rue a
missed James Hook penalty and Rhys Priestland's pulled dropped goal
from in-front of the posts.
<br />
And that wasn't the first time Wales suffered a one-point defeat they should have won.
<br />
In his 25th test and on debut as All Blacks captain, Richie McCaw
recalls being under the pump in 2004 - out on his feet defending the
line. Down by four points, Wales took the penalty, instead of going for
the jugular, and lost 25-24 to extend their now 59-year, 24-game
drought against the men in black.
<br />
In June this year there was ample evidence of the growing issue against their Southern Hemisphere rivals.
<br />
The Six Nations champions should have beaten the Wallabies twice on
their three-test tour. There is a sense their subsequent inconsolable
mindset remains a burden which contributed to shock losses to Argentina
and Samoa in the past two weeks.
<br />
"It was pretty hard to take at the time, particularly the second
loss," Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards said. "I know how much effort
the players put in. Then a similar thing happened with four minutes to
go in the third test."
<br />
After Gatland rejoined the Welsh this week, he spoke of how his
young men had to learn to cope with criticism and mental pressure. He's
had just six days to instil some form of self-belief. <br />
<br />
<br />
"If you just try and compete and play with them [the All Blacks]
you're going to come off second best. You got to be prepared to do
things a little bit differently," Gatland said, hinting lessons had
been learned. "We're going to hopefully throw something a little
different at the All Blacks. We need to put them under some pressure.
You've got to take a few risks."
<br />
The All Blacks are well aware Wales' collective confidence is shot
after five successive defeats. Like Predators, they will prey on their
opponent's weaknesses.
<br />
"If you can keep pressure on teams and really apply that from the
start and keep it on then there could be doubts in some teams and
whether they can stick with us," All Blacks No 8 Kieran Read explained.
"That's what we're trying to achieve. Sometimes it takes longer than
others.
<br />
"It's hard to know in terms of how strong they are [mentally] but
it's something we pride ourselves on. We've got a great karma and
leadership group that keeps the team really grounded and focused on
what we need to achieve. That's been great for our side so far this
year."
<br />
Meanwhile, All Black wings Hosea Gear and Julian Savea have been
nominated, along with South Africa's Bryan Habana and France's Julien
Malziew for IRB international try of the year.
<br />
Gear's bulldozing effort in the third test against Ireland this
year is an early favourite, but Savea's second against Scotland in
Edinburgh and Habana's individual chip and chase against the All Blacks
in Dunedin provide strong competition.
MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-2866939605486632282012-11-22T19:56:00.001+01:002012-11-22T19:56:20.720+01:00All Blacks touch down for business end of tour http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7968680/All-Blacks-touch-down-for-business-end-of-tour<br />
<span class="storycredit">TOBY ROBSON IN CARDIFF </span><br />
19/11/2012<br />
<br />
<br />
From Bulgari watches, classic cars and the Colosseum to the charms of Cardiff and Welsh rugby's latest crisis.
<br />
There is little doubt the All Blacks end of year tour has entered a new phase.
<br />
The squad flew out of Rome today with injury concerns over Beauden
Barrett (ribs), Keven Mealamu (calf), Aaron Smith (knee) and Aaron
Cruden (shoulder).
<br />
Barrett is the most pressing and be will have x-rays to ascertain
the damage done during the first half of Sunday's 42-10 win over Italy.
<br />
But coach Steve Hansen is confident only utility Tamati Ellison will be unavailable for selection this week.
<br />
Wales' woeful run of five losses, the latest against Samoa, has
raised questions over the status of the third tour match being the first
of two "big tests" for the All Blacks, but the build up will definitely
be a change of pace.
<br />
In Rome the All Blacks were treated like rugby royalty.
<br />
Midweek the players dined as guests at the home of Nicola Bulgari
where they were given a look at the collection of the 350 classic cars
in his basement.
<br />
Several players later took one of the cars for a spin during a sponsor's commitment.
<br />
Italy's economy might be a wreck with students marching around the
Colosseum to protest against the lack of jobs this week, but there is
enormous wealth in the luxury goods market.
<br />
Bulgari recently released a limited run of 250 All Blacks watches
which retailed at around 12,000 Euros (approximately NZD$18,800) each.
<br />
They sold out so fast another 250 were quickly produced and the New
Zealand Rugby Union's watch maker, they signed on as official partners
for two-years back in March, made sure they milked the All Blacks visit
for all it was worth.
<br />
The watches were advertised heavily in Rome's major papers on match
day and there is little doubt the NZRU sees further potential to push
their brand in Italy.
<br />
When the All Blacks played in Milan two years ago nearly 81,000 crammed into San Siro Stadium in the fashion capital.
<br />
But last time the All Blacks visited Rome, in 2004, they could only pull 27,000 at Stadio Flaminio.
<br />
Eight years on Stadio Olimpico's 80,000 seats sold out and the merchandisers around the complex could barely keep up.
<br />
Ma'a Nonu was stopped wherever he went and instantly recognised from the moment he arrived.
<br />
No wonder NZRU chief executive Steve Tew was in town meeting with
representatives of a company recently acquired by Louis Vuitton.<br />
<br />
And no wonder Hansen, captain Kieran Read and the other players
talked up the test, arguably beyond its station, at the after-match.
<br />
That said it was a great occasion, if not a perfect All Blacks
performance, and the home side produced a display their fans could be
proud of before wilting in the final 15 minutes.
<br />
It gave Hansen a chance to see unproven players like Dane Coles,
Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Beauden Barrett under pressure in front of a
hostile crowd.
<br />
All three passed with flying colours, while Aaron Cruden got
valuable game time at pivot, but, like a number of others, looked short
on recent match play.
<br />
Hansen expects everyone to be available for selection of what he's indicated will be his top 23.
<br />
Mealamu had "history" with his calf, so would be monitored, but Ben
Smith's broken cheek bone was no longer an issue and Israel Dagg
(bruised buttocks) was good to go and Smith and Cruden were unlikely to
be an issue.
<br />
Meanwhile there is no movement on a possible IRB review of Adam Thomson's one-week ban for trampling against Scotland.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; left: -1001px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; top: -1000px;">
<strong>CARDIFF: </strong>All
Blacks coach Steve Hansen has named his strongest starting line-up for
Saturday's one-off Test against Wales, restoring skipper Richie McCaw
and star fly-half Dan Carter to the side.<br />
After experimenting in the first two Tests of the tour to
give all of his 32-man squad a run, Hansen opted to take no chances
against an out-of-form Wales desperate to redeem themselves by downing
the world champions.<br />
"We have always known that this game will be a fiercely
contested match... we have known since the World Cup that this would be
the the game they would be targeting in this series," Hansen said.<br />
"So any recent performances or results won't have any bearing on this match."<br />
<div class="hidden" id="adspot-300x250-pos-3">
<small>Advertisement</small> </div>
McCaw, rested for last week's 42-10 win over Italy, takes
the captain's armband back from Kieran Read, while Carter replaces
understudy Aaron Cruden at No.10 after warming the bench in Rome.<br />
In all, there are nine changes from the side that defeated
Italy with Tony Woodcock the only survivor in a revamped tight five
featuring Andrew Hore, Owen Franks, Luke Romano and Sam Whitelock.<br />
Liam Messam was retained as blindside flanker over Adam
Thomson, whose one-match ban for stamping on Alasdair Strokosch in a
51-22 win over Scotland is being appealed by the International Rugby
Board as "unduly lenient".<br />
Hansen said he did not want the appeal to disrupt the team's preparation.<br />
In the backs, Hansen stuck with the experienced centre
pairing of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, who played a key role in
demolishing Italy.<br />
Fullback Israel Dagg returns from injury at the expense of
Beauden Barrett, while Cory Jane replaces Hosea Gear on the right wing.<br />
Julian Savea, this year's top international try scorer with
10 five-pointers in seven Tests, kept his place on the left wing,
making him the only player to start in all three of New Zealand's tour
matches.<br />
Aaron Smith held off a challenge from a resurgent Piri Weepu
at scrum-half, although Hansen conceded it was a close call after
Weepu's strong performance against Scotland.<br />
The All Blacks are on a run of 19 Tests undefeated and have
posted 24 straight wins over Wales since they last lost to the Red
Dragons in 1953.<br />
They enter the fixture as overwhelming favourites against a
Wales team reeling after a run of five successive defeats, including a
26-19 loss to bogey team Samoa last week.<br />
Hansen said the hosts would be determined to end their
horror run and return to the form that delivered this year's Six Nations
championship and a semi-final berth at last year's World Cup.<br />
New Zealand wrap up their tour at Twickenham on December 1
against England, who are the last team to defeat them on a northern
hemisphere tour, with a 31-28 win in 2002.<br />
<strong>New Zealand:</strong> Israel Dagg; Cory Jane, Conrad
Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea; Dan Carter, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read,
Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam; Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano; Owen
Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. <strong>Replacements:</strong> Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Brodie Retallick, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith.<br />
<strong>AFP</strong><br />
<span><br /><br />Read more: <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/hansen-takes-no-chances-with-fullstrength-all-blacks-named-for-wales-clash-20121122-29sm5.html#ixzz2Cylh9nBw" style="color: #003399;">http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/hansen-takes-no-chances-with-fullstrength-all-blacks-named-for-wales-clash-20121122-29sm5.html#ixzz2Cylh9nBw</a></span></div>
MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-45050817909278161722012-11-18T19:03:00.004+01:002012-11-18T19:03:52.097+01:00Time-wasting All Blacks tests: What's the point?http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7966972/Time-wasting-All-Blacks-tests-Whats-the-point<br />
<span class="storycredit">GLENN MCLEAN</span><br />
<span class="storycredit"> </span>19/11/2012<br />
<br />
<span class="red_bold_text">OPINION:</span>
I've heard all the sporting cliches after the All Blacks' win over Italy at the weekend.
<br />
"This will be really good for world rugby" and "Italy have learnt a lot in recent years" have, predictably, been hauled out.
<br />
The best thing about the game, by far, was thankfully it did not resemble the borefest of three years ago in Milan.
<br />
Yes, great atmosphere, equally good stadium and the weather was
perfect, but don't for a minute think that was good for world rugby.
<br />
Sure, the Italians have learnt a bit, that's only natural, but they
are never going to beat the All Blacks. Not yesterday, not next year,
probably not ever.
<br />
Same with Scotland. The gulf between Scottish rugby and New Zealand rugby is wider than ever.
<br />
So why then does the New Zealand Rugby Union play these sides so regularly?
<br />
I know there are International Rugby Board regulations that these
matches must take place but the All Blacks meet Italy and Scotland
enough times at the Rugby World Cup without having to schedule these
waste of time tests on end of year tours.
<br />
It's time these tours actually started becoming meaningful.
<br />
There is a counter argument that these occasions provide a platform
for All Blacks coach Steve Hansen to blood young and untried players,
but what does he really learn from seeing the rookies come up against
opposition who would barely find a place in most Super Rugby teams,
Australia aside?
<br />
Not much, I would suggest.
<br />
Yes it was nice to see Taranaki's Beauden Barrett given an opportunity, but his time will come.
<br />
It's time for these end-of-year tours to comprise three-test series,
preferably against France, England or Wales, although the last might be
pushing it given their awful form of late.
<br />
When was the last time the All Blacks actually played the trio in a proper series away from home?
<br />
It should not be that these series are solely reserved for New Zealand shores.
<br />
For starters, it is totally unfair on the sides north of the equator
to have to come all the way down here, always at the end of their
taxing seasons, to try to win a series.
<br />
One-off tests, which rugby fans are fed year after year, provide no real insight into how the teams compare.
<br />
A series provides strong test nations the opportunity to learn how
to beat their opposition, forces coaches into actually coming up with
different game plans and puts pressure on teams and players to perform
when injuries hit.
<br />
Another counter argument would be the vast majority of these series
would be dead rubbers by the time it came to the third test but that
should not be an influencing factor because England and France are
capable of taking a test off the All Blacks, if given the chance.
<br />
NZRU boss Steve Tew skilfully negotiated a return of $4 million for his union's coffers for next month's test at Twickenham.
<br />
Why not treble that and put some real money in the bank?
<br />
The appetite of England and France supporters would certainly be
there and it would force the All Blacks into unfamiliar venues, which in
itself would bring different challenges.<br />
<br />
The All Blacks are victims of their own success at the moment and it
is starting to reflect in their play. The fact Hansen made 14 changes
from the side that belted Scotland meant it was always going to be a
second-rate All Blacks performance against Italy and that was certainly
the case for 65 minutes.
<br />
The All Blacks kicked away far too much possession, were inaccurate
with a lot of their play and were static in their attack for long
periods.
<br />
Maybe if the weekend's game had been a second test against
meaningful opposition it would have been a completely different story.
<br />
MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-67392462572276039582012-11-18T19:02:00.006+01:002012-11-18T19:02:50.452+01:00McCaw and Hansen warn against privatisationhttp://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7965771/McCaw-and-Hansen-warn-against-privatisation<br />
<span class="storycredit">LIAM NAPIER AND TOBY ROBSON IN ROME </span><br />
<span class="storycredit">18/11/2012</span><br />
<br />
<span class="storycredit"> </span><br />
All Blacks' coach Steve Hansen and captain Richie McCaw have urged
caution in the face of increased Super Rugby privatisation, strongly
stressing the need for the New Zealand Rugby Union to retain control of
its players.
<br />
New Zealand's new-age rugby landscape shifted further towards full
privatisation last week when investors bought large shares in the
Hurricanes and Crusaders.
<br />
The Blues and Chiefs - but not the Highlanders - are likely to follow suit by selling around half of their rights.
<br />
In exchange for their cash injections, wealthy private investors get
match-day gate-takings and marketing and sponsorship benefits.
<br />
But there are fears they will soon push for more privileges,
including control of the players, in what appears to be the start of a
new era in professionalism.
<br />
The risk is that players will be driven to exhaustion, as currently occurs in Europe and South Africa.
<br />
Under the current central contracting model the NZRU remains in charge of all players.
<br />
Hansen and McCaw have both warned against ever altering that system
and allowing wealthy backers too much power, fearing it could jeopardise
one of the All Blacks' greatest advantages over their rivals.
<br />
"Centralisation is one of our big advantages," Hansen told the Sunday Star-Times.
<br />
"We recognise it's one of our strengths. In business you'd be very silly to give away one of your strengths."
<br />
At present Hansen is able to work closely with all five New Zealand
Super Rugby coaches to ensure player workloads are carefully managed.
<br />
That avoids burnout and ensures key figures are consistently performing at their peak for the national team.
<br />
If private ownership is taken further and investors can dictate the
terms of a player's involvement, the foundations of the All Blacks'
success could be eroded.
<br />
That scenario is not far-fetched. Not so long ago, the prospect of a
sponsor's name on the front of the All Blacks jersey seemed improbable.
<br />
Eventually, an investor might make the franchises an offer they
can't refuse, at the cost of the right to control New Zealand rugby's
greatest asset - the players.
<br />
"We should never get into that situation and I don't think we ever will," Hansen said.
<br />
"It's a massive advantage to us and one that we should always keep,
regardless of who the coach is. We are working hard at the relationships
with Super Rugby coaches and hard on player welfare."<br />
<br />
In Europe and South Africa, provinces hold all the power and the players are often physically driven until they drop.
<br />
After losing to the All Blacks in Soweto this year, Springboks
players were made to turn out for their Currie Cup teams while the New
Zealanders enjoyed a week's rest.
<br />
McCaw believes the balance of power is correct and he singled out
the ability of New Zealand's coaches to communicate in a constructive
fashion as fundamental to the All Blacks' success.
<br />
"The season is tough to manage at the best of times without having an outside influence," he said.
<br />
"We are lucky that the hierarchy is that the All Blacks are most
important to New Zealand rugby and it works down. That's the way it
should be and we are very lucky we have a balance and understanding
between everyone.
<br />
"The key is who is running the cutter. The coaches are going to want
the best out of their players. The clubs over here [in Europe] worry
just about what's happening and I guess that's what you get with private
ownership.
<br />
"But the coaches [in New Zealand] understand they can't afford to
hammer guys if they want them right at the business end of the season.
<br />
"With test matches in between, they know unless they are managed
through that period they will end up with guys who are just buggered.
You might get away with it for one year, but the following year that's
when the cumulative [fatigue] comes in."
MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28472464.post-5672619277106446202012-11-18T19:01:00.006+01:002012-11-18T19:01:51.051+01:00Richie McCaw relaxed about his time offhttp://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7965786/Richie-McCaw-relaxed-about-his-time-off<br />
<span class="storycredit">TOBY ROBSON IN ROME</span><br />
<span class="storycredit"> </span>18/11/2012<br />
<br />
<br />
Richie McCaw is a man with feathers on his shoulders.
<br />
The All Blacks captain is about as relaxed as he gets during test week when he wanders into the team hotel lobby for a chat.
<br />
He's still got his trusty Warwick B4 notebook in tow, but it's in
his shoulders and his eyes that the load looks a little lighter.
<br />
In four weeks he'll get the break he craves. He'll head to the beach
for two months before boarding a flight to the United States for a
belated OE.
<br />
It'll be the first time since he started captaining the All Blacks fulltime in 2006 that he'll have a summer to himself.
<br />
No sponsors, no media, no planning, no pressure.
<br />
McCaw got a sneak peek this past week into looking at the All Blacks
from the outside in when he handed the captaincy to Kieran Read.
<br />
At the captain's run the openside struck an unusually solitary
figure on the far side of Stadio Olimpico as his team-mates huddled
around Read for their final instructions.
<br />
Next June the distance will be far greater.
<br />
It could be construed as a stressful time, perhaps one for second thoughts about taking a six-month sabbatical.
<br />
What if McCaw's battered body shuts down without the urgency of his
rigid preparation and recovery regimes? What if the mental flame
flickers just a little? What if a young lion prowls into his jungle in
his absence?
<br />
The 31-year-old shrugs his shoulders at all three. It's the alternative that he can't fathom.
<br />
"If I'd gone into next year and worn myself down and that mental
desire to be there starts to waiver then you are useless anyway," he
said.
<br />
"But look, yeah, I'm at that part of my career where you know there
are no guarantees anyway. You control what you can and I have an
opportunity to come back physically in pretty good shape and mentally
raring to go.
<br />
"If that doesn't happen then it was never going to happen ... what
selections are made and all that soft of stuff, well it's out of my
control anyway, that's how I look at it.
<br />
"If someone flies past you, well, that's just life, isn't it. As
long as you do everything you can to be your best. I believe guys get
worried about who is coming behind, but if someone's good enough to pass
you then so be it."
<br />
It's a glimpse into what makes McCaw tick. He's a realist, but he's also an optimist.
<br />
"We have a thing in New Zealand that just because you hit a certain
age we look at all the things you do wrong rather than the things you do
right," he said.<br />
<br />
"Yeah, some people fall off and, physically, injuries come into it,
but a lot of it comes down to that mental side and whether you have that
burning desire to still do it. As soon as that goes, then the form
goes, and physically everything else will follow."
<br />
It's hard not to conjure images of McCaw's former team-mates Jerry
Collins and Rodney So'oialo whose slides were surprisingly dramatic.
<br />
McCaw doesn't plan to suffer the same fate and hopes his time off will kick him through to 2015.
<br />
"If we have a culture of guys who say, ‘why can't you be [the other
side of 30] then guys will be excited by it and if the workloads are
managed somehow then, hey, there's no reason why not."
MaryLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802883868600918949noreply@blogger.com0