Ritchie McCaw to take a break

Confirmed that McCaw will take a break of 6 months away from Rugby in 2013,will not play for Crusaders or AllBlacks .For first 10 Super matches or Nz v France series 2013.Kieron Read will lead the Crusaders for the period,good news for young 7`s especially Matt Todd.AllBlacks may be on a losing curve then as young guns are fed in,I expect both Sa and Oz to win there matches v Ab`s this year.A win v Argentina and4N s a clean sweep in Europe.Hope i`m wrong a new World Record of wins would be very nice thank you.

Age 31, 3-times IRB Player of Year
Most capped NZ player (110)
Won 98 of his 110 Tests
Scored 19 Test tries
Captained NZ to 58 wins in 65 Tests

That is some impressive winning percentage, he really cant be used to being on the losing side.

Will he being spending his sabbatical in his favourite place ? - lying offside ?

He'll get there before any officials do so I'd imagine he'd go wherever he wants

munkian wrote:Will he being spending his sabbatical in his favourite place ? - lying offside ?

You're a little behind the times Munkian. These days McCaw spends more time ball-carrying than in rucks.


All in all if the break helps McCaw freshen up its a good thing.

Phil Gifford is a tad premature here http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/our-experts/7717819/McCaw-one-of-seven-wonders-of-rugby-world/ but in 10 years time I expect I'll be agreeing with him.

He's taken a practical view of things. Wants to be around for 2015 WCup. Is committed to NZ rugby in a way we probably havnt seen in another player, particularly in this cut throat professional environment where the temptations are a plenty.

Probably the most all-in-one admired, envied, targeted player in test history. Just glad he wears the silver fern...

emack2 wrote:I expect both Sa and Oz to win there matches v Ab`s this year.A win v Argentina and 4N s a clean sweep in Europe.Hope i`m wrong a new World Record of wins would be very nice thank you.

The teams good enough to win both and on paper and head to head, recent form should win both. Yes the Argies and SA will (in Hansens words) 'grow an extra arm and a leg at home so so do we have to'.

Have to admit 3 away matches vs Arg, SA and Oz- all recent AB victims is about as tough as it gets so they'll deserve the record equaller when they finally get it. If they do the Scottish match hold the record breaker and if we're true to form its another 6 tests (Italy, Wales, England, France x 3 at home before we play Oz or SA again)

So wishful thinking has it at 23 tests...one can only hope...

France can beat you in NZ mate

ChequeredJersey wrote:France can beat you in NZ mate

Of course they can, so can England in the AI's and Wales at a pinch.
Those are just the additional matches the Abs face and could add to the record as its a dead cert we wont go two RC's winning them all.

Frankly I'd be surprised if we win all the next 3 (2 is more likely, 1 is poor) and anything from there is a bonus.

France have only won one here by 5 points in the pro era (lost 8 from 9 at average loss of 37-17, 1 try to 4) so despite the fact they do well on occasion, the wins arent as common as everyones lead to believe.

Very true,they`ve managed to win once in the Pro era in 2009 versus a B strength side.Next year probably Dan Carter will be missing too as well just like 2009.

Yes we seem to get them at their best when the spotlight is bigger (99, 07 and 11). 2009 they did win that trophy when no one seemd to know a drawn series would result in a countback on points.

Luckily next year is not a World cup year (but it is an odd numbered year and we're playing an odd number of matches...hmmm...

Good news for Richie. And Todd. Frankly the super season is too long and dominates the NZ rugby calendar. That shouldn't be the case in my view. Test rugby should dominate.

I hope a few other players take this lead and give Super rugby a miss or at least the early months of it. Bring on some new talent and give the bodies a break for the top players.

You don't want players underdone as bodies don't get conditioned to the hits and injuries can just as easily happen. But looking at Australia and SA and their injury list, you can't help but think the casualty list would be way lower if their top players had been rested more from the Super season. Like the ITM, if they're going to persist with this format for Super rugby, it's time we started to minimise the impact it has on our top ABs.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Good news for Richie. And Todd. Frankly the super season is too long and dominates the NZ rugby calendar. That shouldn't be the case in my view. Test rugby should dominate.

I hope a few other players take this lead and give Super rugby a miss or at least the early months of it. Bring on some new talent and give the bodies a break for the top players.

You don't want players underdone as bodies don't get conditioned to the hits and injuries can just as easily happen. But looking at Australia and SA and their injury list, you can't help but think the casualty list would be way lower if their top players had been rested more from the Super season. Like the ITM, if they're going to persist with this format for Super rugby, it's time we started to minimise the impact it has on our top ABs.

I salute the idea (actually rarely in ascendancy anymore from what I hear in debates) that International transcends club/provincial/regional - that it is top honour for the players who get the privilege and that, yes, players should be conditioned to be in their prime for International rather than to be whacked to a standstill for private bosses and demanding club fans. Players are the important ones. Do you play International with the hope of making it into a celebrated club or do you do your work at club hoping you get called up to International? Most players have their priorities right - I think though that a division between two types of fan grows and grows.

Will he be going to another club for this period or actually resting away from the game completely?

yappysnap wrote:Will he be going to another club for this period or actually resting away from the game completely?

Resting completely apparently. There's talk of him doing a bit of international travel and getting out of the NZ goldfish bowl.

Allegedly I think it's resting completely..... so far anyway. But we all know what happened to Shane Williams after his complete retirement season finished!

McCaw isn’t interested in playing anywhere other than in NZ. Considering he’s one of the greatest players of all time, he could command the highest of wages in Europe or Japan but not doing so and staying loyal to NZ and the All Blacks is just one of many marks of the man.

It’s a break, period. Nothing to read into here. Move along people!

Nice to hear from McCaw's agent on the matter. That certainly clarifies things.

yeah good on ya mintie...give him a pat on the back on the first hole for me too...

The problem is what started as an interim stage between the Provincial stage and the International has become a monster.It has taken on a life of it`s own
to be considered for a test place you need to be in a Super franchise.Bolters that come direct from the Provincial game are rare except for injuries.There is only so much punishment a body can take etc.So the McCaw model makes sense or does it? senior players being rested means youngsters getting a chance.That is great on the surface BUT,are the franchises happy to play weakened teams.Are visiting sides happy being deemed not good enough to face full strength sides.Theory is great Country before Club every time BUT prestige is important too.NZ have so many 3Ns and Super titles to there credit they get blase about it.Man management obviously makes sense but how many losses are you prepared to take etc.There seems a bizarre logic when given a 2 week test Break,Squas players are released for Provincial matches.Then as has happened with the Boks today they have another 6 or 7 players carrying injuries.Catch 22

Part of its also the sheer greed of the players themselves. McCaw has chosen to do something not one single other professional player with anything near his status has decided to do.

He's decided he wants to play rugby at the very top level for as long as he can, and has chosen the World cup in 2015 as the measure of that. He has used his sabbatical period to 'rest' rather than go somewhere and get rich playing forceback.

Nonu chose to take the money and burnt himself out and took him an enforced test layoff 6 months later to get anywhere near test form.

Players are sucked into this pro environment and the outcome is truck loads of injuries.

But then McCaw could be seen as greedy in that he was fame over fortune, but I'll get over that. He does risk losing out to younger players who hit form against France as well so theres an element of risk in his approach.

This is the beginning of the end. Here is some truth: Better McCaw just goes now at the peak of the power and gracefully before it becomes some turgid drawn out painful execution.

We saw how quickly a public turns on a player who loses form, and players no matter how well "managed" just cannot play 130+ tests and still be at a peak.

McCaw will take a "sabatical" and while he is away, he will be replaced by a better option. When he returns he will be off the pace and we will watch this once great player struggle on and the selectors have a head ache about picking him when he is no longer the best.

Look how Ali Williams once a necessity is now derided. Even greats like Muliaina become a liability and cause selection conflicts.

He has achieved so much, and now he should go as a hero. He deserves it. Not linger on and let it get emabarrasing like the last Crowded House album.

There will be the "bring back buck" brigade. But they were wrong then and they will be wrong now.

From Dave Gallaher through Kirkpatrick, Mourie, Michael Jones, Josh Kronfeld, McCaw, NZ always turn up a quality flanker and now is no different.

he'll target 2015 then have 2 seasons in europe cashing in

He'll win the world cup in 2015 and then become prime minister

nganboy wrote:He'll win the world cup in 2015 and then become prime minister

Even better he'll win 2015 then become assistant (forwards) coach for the Blues where Sir (King) Richard the Lionheart's round table of knights will be a quarter full...

Please be realistic we are talking about a player in his early 30`s as finished,Ritchie is head and shoulders above any 7 on the Planet.For me it is much more than that though.On current form there is no one to match him at 7 and he could do a job at 6 or 8.The relevent management of teams by coaches to ensure the best for both team and player is required not just RM but all of them.

Please be realistic we are talking about a player in his early 30`s as finished,Ritchie is head and shoulders above any 7 on the Planet.For me it is much more than that though.On current form there is no one to match him at 7 and he could do a job at 6 or 8.The relevent management of teams by coaches to ensure the best for both team and player is required not just RM but all of them.

True Alan but the players have got to buy into it as well. I mean how many top players will really admit to actually getting benefit from a rest from the game for 6 months?

I'd think it would be an extremely depressing period not taking the field when injury free for most, if not all...I mean 13 Mondays waking up to a new week 13 weeks in a row not even feeling all those glorious bumps and bruises, seeing that battered face in the mirror...I mean how could you go that long when its part of your very being?

emack2 wrote:Please be realistic we are talking about a player in his early 30`s as finished,Ritchie is head and shoulders above any 7 on the Planet.For me it is much more than that though.On current form there is no one to match him at 7 and he could do a job at 6 or 8.The relevent management of teams by coaches to ensure the best for both team and player is required not just RM but all of them.

rubbish, he's 6ft 1, samourcapt is 6 ft 2

Depends what want from life does`nt it the Pro player will on average have about 4 weeks a year off.Its a job like anyother a good player will have a shelf life of 10 years.Then its coaching,commentating,memoirs,chat shows,newspaper articles if your lucky.Some will settle for x number of caps then a well paid job at the likes of Suntory giants or Toulon.You may not play off course.Just make the numbers up but you are on a good pension so what,others play until some one better comes along etc.

mowgli wrote:

emack2 wrote:Please be realistic we are talking about a player in his early 30`s as finished,Ritchie is head and shoulders above any 7 on the Planet.For me it is much more than that though.On current form there is no one to match him at 7 and he could do a job at 6 or 8.The relevent management of teams by coaches to ensure the best for both team and player is required not just RM but all of them.

rubbish, he's 6ft 1, samourcapt is 6 ft 2

I'm surprised he's got a head left what with all the blatant cheap shots to the head.

I kinda agree with AWoP, McCaw may just push the boat out too far by 2015 and the ABs get found out by having a team of players that couldn't quite keep up, like in some previous RWCs. Hope this isn't the case as McCaw is the all time greatest AB, even now.

He won't cash in in the NH. I think his last game will be in the black jersey.

disneychilly wrote:He won't cash in in the NH. I think his last game will be in the black jersey.

Your mad as a meataxe pal

If I was Richie I'd head over to USA or somewhere I am not an instant celebrity. Do a bit of hang gliding and enjoy some time off.

But you need to continue to hone skills to stay sharp and I'm not sure he will be good enough for All Blacks with half a year off.

Cheers Stag

If there's anyone that can do it he can. That's not to say he will, but it'll be interesting watching him try get back on the horse.

Who is that young lad. Is it Todd or Vito? Cant remember which but they look next in line to the throne.

Todd's the backup Crusaders 7. Vito is a Hurricanes utility who hasn't convinced at Test level.

Sam Cane looked comfortable making the step up against Ireland and he's a Chief.

Cane? Not too worried about 7, the real problem in NZ is our aging hooker population

red_stag wrote:Who is that young lad. Is it Todd or Vito? Cant remember which but they look next in line to the throne.

Sam Cane at the Chiefs.

We could well see McCaw dropping to the bench on his return covering all 3 back row spots

Ebop – when Coles sorts his throwing out, I’d say it’ll be him and Elliott going for the no 2 jumper

Quite like Coles Mintie, good with ball in hand and very quick. Not convinced by Hika yet, mainly because he doesn't seem to make ground with the ball, my perception could be wrong though. How do you see the strengths/weaknesses of these guys other than Coles' throwing (sorry off topic).

Red Stag not good enough with 6 months off?reality is he will start Super rugby late as this year.To get himself fit,then will start in the 4Ns just as he has this year.He is currently the Best loose forward in the world,possibly the best player in the world.So just by taking a rest he is suddenly going to be rubbish?so Sam Cane is a Chieftain.Not the Starting 7 for them mind one test and suddenly he`s Superman?Matt Todd does a good job covering Ritchie but he isn`t him.What`s the alternative play Ritchie till he drops.Who cares about RWCs .Just keep on winning forget RWC`s i`ll be dead by then probably.

Gee you're a cheery bugger Alan.

Brad Thorn made it well past the age of what Richie will be to compete in the 2015 RWC. He didn't seem out of sorts. I think it comes down to preparation. It makes sense to have a big break now and then manage him well in the years leading up to it. So long as he doesn't pick up a serious injury there's no reason he can't be in the mix. He is yet to follow in the footsteps of Michael Jones but there could well be a move to 6 to see out the rest of his career.

emack2 wrote:Red Stag not good enough with 6 months off?reality is he will start Super rugby late as this year.To get himself fit,then will start in the 4Ns just as he has this year.He is currently the Best loose forward in the world,possibly the best player in the world.So just by taking a rest he is suddenly going to be rubbish?so Sam Cane is a Chieftain.Not the Starting 7 for them mind one test and suddenly he`s Superman?Matt Todd does a good job covering Ritchie but he isn`t him.What`s the alternative play Ritchie till he drops.Who cares about RWCs .Just keep on winning forget RWC`s i`ll be dead by then probably.

Im just saying that rugby is a professional game. Athletes are training every day to get themselves in the condition needed to play at highest level. New Zealand is one of most competitive rugby playing nations on earth. If you step away for half a year with no training or rugby, you will find it tough to get back into a team like the All Blacks.

I would be highly alarmed to see any All Black assured of his place to such an extent.

That's true Stag. Kaino hasn't given up on hopes of returning to a black jersey for 2015. But it is a risky game. It will take time to recover match fitness and you need to be able to guarantee your spot in the team in order to get that back. It's a risk.

But frankly, if the great man sees this as his best chance of making the 2015 RWC and to give himself a mental break more than anything else who am I to begrudge him of that. He's not chosen to cash in on his career over in France. He still dreams to wear the black and cream and frankly I think he's earned that right to make that gamble. Maybe it doesn't work out. Like you say, someone could come through and replace him. But he's been going more than 10 years and has played 110 tests. I think he knows what is required to stay on at test rugby or his level. I also don't doubt his ability to come back if that's what he chooses or is able to do. It's definitely not easy but then again what has he ever made to look not easy? Apart from staying onside or keeping his filthy hands to himself!

Oh I certainly would not begrudge him anything. Just make the point that there are risks for him.

There certainly are but that is why now is the time to do this to give him enough time before 2015. 2014 would probably be too late. Even 2013 might unearth some hidden gem. It'll be good for the heir apparents as well to be able to make their mark. Cane and Todd will probably be the likely players to try to make the step up but who knows. The fact Richie at least entertains the idea of a return will keep them honest.

If he keeps that engine of his running at peak I can see him succeeding. Of course it's a risk in the AB culture-but the NZRU appreciate what he's trying to do and I'm sure McCaw knew the caveats before activating it. I'd still think it was a year early though-2014 might have been a better year to do it.

I think with the ball carry role and the fact that we're not easily replacing kaino mccaw knows three things...read has 8 tied up till the next cup should his form continue...and by 2015 there will be far quicker 7's to the ball than mccaw and it will be obvious he shouldn't be there at 7, and won't want a token selection just to get his experience onto the field in the same way SA played Smit.

He sees 6 as his future and possibly has M jones in mind in achieving it. He`ll use the time off to bulk up a little and focus on his ball carrying more but primarily to focus mentally on the shift to 6, and possibly back up to 8.

McCaw's shorter but basically the same weight as Kaino so he doesn't really need to bulk up if he wants to play 6.

We've seen him come back from injury in the past and get back into it pretty quickly so I think it's entirely possible for him to be up to full speed in time for the 2013 end of year tour and basically up to speed for the 4 NZ.

Just on one point about greed.
Taylorman wrote "McCaw has chosen to do something not one single other professional player with anything near his status has decided to do."

Remember Goldie just walked away from it altogether.