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.
WANNA BE AN AB
Guest
OMG I've got it................... Your in love with Richie LOL
WANNA BE AN AB
Guest
Now you've got me confused are you saying, a) These stats prove what a great job Richie's doing. b) Richie worked harder then Pocock and co. this year. c) The ABs dominated their opponents this year because ot their groundwork. d) You want to be like Richie. e) You want Pocock to play like Richie. f) You want to learn from the ABs or You want to be an AB. I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS ARTICLE......................
WANNA BE AN AB
Guest
No dismissing the calibre of John Eales, brilliant for the game on and off the field and Aussies have every right to be damn proud of him. Yes he's not ours but we are also pretty proud of the Fitzys, Shelfords, Meads, Kirkpatricks and McCaws we have in our armoury. John has broken Kiwis hearts with the match winning penalty goal as has Richie broken Aussie hearts with the match winning try and/or tackle.................
Lazza
Guest
Typical whinging Pom...hang on...whinging Aussie, they have certainly won the world cup of complaining, although to be fair they have a lot to complain about, their teams performances of late, the world cu8p soccer (poor), netball (poor), league world cup (poor), tri-nations (poor), tour de france (poor), ashes cricket (poor) and the northern tour rugby tour...well (pass). Now for some further stats request from GB, tell me what penalties against McCaw were actually penalties or referees having erred in their assessment of the break down. I would like to know about that one.
Loosie4Life
Guest
GB...you've lost your way mate, this thread "was" about Richie? I was joking when I said you should start a new story.... you should just keep your comments between you and your little white wabbit! What you say isn't interesting or even controversial, its just dumb one eyed garbage.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Goldenbull - I enjoyed your thread and thought the replies added something to my understanding of McCaw. Really your statement 'the best 2 countries in rugby are S.A & Aus. they know that the trophy that really matters is the WC' must be one of the most stupid I have read on the Roar. NZ is THE No1 country in Rugby Union always has been and from what I have seen of their ability to develop players will be as far into the future as I can see. I'm a Wallaby fan and no supporter of the AB's and basically don't like them . I do believe that we should be realistic about the New Zealanders ability to continue at the top regardless of Australia's and South Africa's occasional few wins over them. How long is it since we were No1, 10 years? How long do you suppose it will be before SA is No1? Lets get real here or it might be us on the early trip home from the World Cup.
goldenbull
Guest
I agree with you in that the all blacks are consistantly a great team, they fail to win world cups cause they would prefer to win most of the time then build properly for the world cup and lose a few on the way...after all what would the nz public do if they lost a few matches?? from what I've heard they would look to other sports to support, sad really. Considering all this pressure and the WC in your own back yard I can see another world class chocking performance on the cards...ouch imagine that, no not again the best 2 countries in rugby are S.A & Aus. they know that the trophy that really matters is the WC and manage to build through other tournaments on the way to winning more world cups. Ever thought about that?
abnutta
Roar Guru
"Rugby is fortunate to have a player and person of the calibre of Richie McCaw. He is an outstanding captain, a world class player and a role model for our sport. In winning the Award three times, Richie has truly cemented his place right up there amongst some of the greats." - John Eales (December 1st, 2010).
Loosie4Life
Guest
GB......Who's the IRB 2010 Player of the Year..........!!! Suck it up sunshine. Maybe you can get a story going about "how the AB's will choke in the RWC", but then again you (and all your buddies here) weren't even close with this one. I might start one...."will the wallabies ever look like a world cup contender, let alone win it?" or even better "will the wallabies ever win another world cup?"
jeremy
Guest
Really? Depends on how you look at it I guess. I'm quite happy with the ABs ongoing performance and domination of world rugby at all points and facets. The ABs captain is IRB Player Of The Year for an unequalled 3rd time. Henry is the Coach of the Year for the fourth time. The ABs the best team in the world for the umpteenth time. Every indicator points to the class of this team, but please do cling to the World Cup count if that in some way validates your pathological hatred of anything that wears the silver fern. Bring on next year when we get another crack at Bill, another trinations, and another Bledisloe. I suspect it will be a very competitive season.
jeremy
Guest
GB, I refer you to the IRB announcement that Richie McCaw is the first player ever to win three IRB Player Of The Year awards. Apparently the rugby community knows something you don't.
Matt
Guest
Surprise surprise another bleating wannabe journalist with rose tinted glasses. Lets re-examine this shall we? "Total number of penalties for Tri Nations and Northern Hemisphere tour:" "McCaw 18" "Pokock 5" By your logic, from that stat, Pocock is getting away with far more than McCaw is at the breakdown, and is obviously a far bigger cheat if this is so. In fact from all the stats you've quote in this article, The NZers are by far the most penalized team by any ref (not just NH or SH ones), and McCaw the biggest offender, and are so penalized for it. Yet if they're not being penalized they're cheating? Wait a minute.. passage of play, penalized. Another passage of play, no penalty, CHEAT? So the NZers are supposed to be damned either way? Idiot. You may look forward to a game where the NZers don't constantly foul and are beaten (bizarre logic right there), however should that day come where they run a clean sheet, they'll run rampant over anyone regardless. And still be called cheats by wannabe journalists with no credentials whatsoever.
goldenbull
Guest
grand slam just doesnt have the same ring to it as a world cup though does it. Like I said Australia has 2 of those little babys!
llew
Guest
Hah, Jeremy - too true.... well put. Maybe that feat is yet to come.
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, I was agreeing with you.
jeremy
Guest
I don't see much case for nervousness, NZ lost by two points after arguably the worst 20 minutes ever played by a fly half wearing an All Blacks jersey. I'm glad they lost, it seemed to give them a much needed dose of reality. Good motivation should the RWC final be Aus - NZ. NZ went on to complete a grand slam against the Home Nations, Dan Carter became the leading point scorer in the world, and they secured a 75% win ratio, the highest of any professional rugby team.
Vaughan
Guest
With every great sports-person or team come the jealous slaggers! Richie McCaw has won that IRB player of the year award twice and has been nominated numerous times. Nothing more to say really. He is the best and cheats just like every other player in world rugby. Even in our own club rugby team on Saturday we still try to slow down opposition ball when they are on our line. So carry on slagging him at your peril, for the more you slag him off the better he becomes!
goldenbull
Guest
Speaking of stats pal lets have a look.... last game n.z v Aus, Australia won, must be a bit nervious knowing that going into next year. Oh and another, Australia has won 2 world cups, thats the most of all countries, equal with S.A shame RB4L
goldenbull
Guest
Good point OJ...... world cups: Australia 2 hold world record number of world cups won equal with S.A n.z??
jeremy
Guest
McCaw, to my eternal regret, has never kicked a conversion from the sideline on full time to break Australian hearts....