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I read an article about Steve Hansen this week saying that he stands behind Richie McCaw for being a great player and flirting with the laws, whilst others have come out again and said he’s a cheat.
Whilst I have some opinions on McCaw, I thought I would look at some stats for this years Tri-Nations and Northern Hemisphere tour games. It was no suprise at all to see the stats light up for the All Blacks, and in particular for McCaw, for all the wrong reasons.
What are these stats? Total number of penalties per team, apart from scrums.
These include penalties at the rucks and mauls, discipline and also offsides.
NZ 45
SA 33
Aus 24
The All Blacks gave away almost 100 percent more penaties than the Wallabies.
Most penalties given from a player in the Tri-Nations: McCaw with 10
In fact, the top three were All Blacks.
McCaw gave away 41 percent of penalties that the whole Australian team gave away in the entire series.
What was also interesting is the amount of off-sides the All Blacks gave away:
NZ 11
SA 3
Aus 1
This just shows that the All Blacks are creeping up in the line to stop any momentum for the opposition, especialy in their own 22.
Ok, some might say that this is a one off. Well, no, I thought I would look into the Northern Hemisphere tour games, also.
Only comparing Australia and New Zealand:
NZ 27
Aus 20
McCaw 8
All these penalties for a guy who some consider is the best player in the world. Having looked at his opposite in the Wallaby jersey, you finally see what a class act Pocock is, playing within the laws of the game.
Total number of penalties for Tri Nations and Northern Hemisphere tour:
McCaw 18
Pokock 5
As both have been nominated as IRB Players of the Year, it would be a shame to have someone like McCaw, who many beleive doesn’t only flirt with the laws but constantly breaks them should be considered a player to whom other should aspire to be like.
“If he gets away with it, then good on him,” is what I hear frequently, and most often, then not from Kiwi fans. Yet, how is cheating tolerated until being penalised.
I am looking forward to a game where the All Blacks do not constantly foul and we can see opposition not only take it to them, but beat them convincingly.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.