Faced with an executive decision, Henry saw no point in them sharing the centurion spotlight, so he left Muliaina out of the first Cup clash against Tonga for McCaw to play his 99th.
Tomorrow at Hamilton both will turn out against Japan – McCaw to become the first All Black to earn 100 caps, Muliaina for his 99th.
Shrewd alright. Taking nothing away from the yeoman service Muliaina has given the All Blacks, but McCaw deserves the accolades of being the first New Zealander to three figures.
“He is incredibly brave, skilful, and a hugely intelligent player who has the total respect of the team through the many deeds and successes he has achieved on the rugby field, and his ability to lead from the front,” is how Henry described his skipper.
The proof is in the stats.
Since McCaw become an All Black, the side has won 87 of his 99 appearances (88%), far in excess of the 75% win-rate in All Black history.
That’s the stamp of the man who carries the weight of a nation seeking a second RWC after a 24-year drought.
That drought is as staggering as the Don Bradman duck in his last Test dig, requiring just four runs for a career average of 100 – the most famous duck in Test cricket history.
There’s no argument the All Blacks have been the number one side in world rugby for most of our lives. The fact only five countries have beaten them in over 100 years bears testimony to that.
The Wallabies have won 41 of 142 meetings (29%), the Springboks 34 of 83 (41%), France 12 of 49 (24%), England 6 of 34 (18%), and Wales 3 of 28 (11%).
Barring major upsets, the All Blacks are likely to face three of the five in this World Cup.
But history records the All Blacks don’t bring their long-standing lofty status to the World Cup arena.
They clash with France in their pool game at Eden Park on September 24, the most critical game in all the pool stages.
Nobody, not even the French, know what team will turn up – the flashy exciting devil-may-care running rugby French, or the bumbling mistake-ridden embarrassment.
As it sits, the seedings suggest the quarters will be – Wallabies-Wales, England-France, Boks-Ireland, and All Blacks-Scotland.
With the semis – Wallabies-England and All Blacks-Boks.
But if the exciting French side turns up at Eden Park to upset the All Blacks, the quarters-semis will have a very different look – Wallabies-Wales, England-All Blacks, Boks-Ireland, and France-Scotland – with the semis Wallabies-All Blacks, and Boks-France.
So if the All Blacks are to win the RWC under those circumstances they will meet four of the five countries that have beaten them in the past.
Making the RWC more intriguing by the week, increasing the pressure on Richie McCaw.
“To play my 100th in New Zealand is pretty special, and the World Cup couldn’t be a bigger stage, but you’ve still got to remember to get the job done,” said McCaw.
“Get the job done”.
That’s the catch-cry right across the rugby-religion Shaky Isles.
But not too shaky, that’s been the problem for 24 years.
Mike
Guest
Agreed Adam. Every derogatory comment I have seen re Carlos Spencer over the past month seems to have been written by an AB fan. I don't know why - he wasn't in the top echelon of all-time greats, but I thought he served his team and country pretty well.
AdamS
Roar Guru
The only people I see trashing Spencer are Kiwis. If there was no Spencer there would be no Cooper.
Mike
Guest
Jerry, that's fair enough
bokka
Guest
Agreed. NZ was robbed of a chance to challenge England in the semis through a poor ref decision, the whole planet realises this, but of course NZ's 'misfortune' hardly translates to SA or ENG luck. You can only challenge the teams infront of you. Best wishes this time round for NZ.
Jerry
Guest
Oh, I'm not expecting anyone to feel ashamed of it. And the fact is the Boks were the number 2 side in the world at the time and were capable of beating anyone. While I'd prefer if the AB's were able to win a WC by beating France, SA, England & Aus (it's possible they could play all of them if the chips fall right and of course, they keep winning) but to be honest, I wouldn't be apologising one little bit if turns out they only have to play Scotland, Wales & England or something similar if it ends up with Richie holding up the Webb Ellis trophy.
bokka
Guest
I think everyone is reading it wrong. Kiwi: but you guys have 2 Beale: and you guys have one QC: chin up son.
James P
Guest
Wow, what a dick. That guy makes me ashamed to be a Kiwi. I would show a bit more respect if I had the opportunity to meet a couple of great footballers like Cooper and Beale.
blert
Guest
I think we're back to that photo in the NZ Herald Brett...
blert
Guest
Maybe he frequents TheRoar and has been listening to KPM and johnny-boy :)
jokerman
Guest
All good, Mike. Maybe in his enthusiasm Sheek felt some entitlement perhaps? I didn't read the posts that thoroughly and still havn't Yep, it would be beautiful for The All blacks to win the RWC at home for the 1st time in 24 years. It will be amazing when I break to Hollywood, and I do eventually! But nothing is a given really, you have to make those steps....there is the dream, the path....but you have to step into that and make it the reality. Go The All Blacks!!!! I believe they can step into that dream and make it happen. It does happen, but the All Blacks still have to walk it, know it and its theres. No illusion though it is a big challenge. I believe they can do it.
darwin stubby
Guest
Your guess is as good as mine - but they ran a pretty poor trash campaign prior to the event ... too me this is just another example ... photos like this are really the domain of the social network sites - not for a major newspaper with a commentary attached ... perhaps they think they're being clever in some response to Growden's poor effort earlier in the week - but from where I sit it actually adds fuel to that fire
bokka
Guest
I guess you have to take your 'luck' when it shines your way Jerry. All you had to do was beat France, which you couldn't do and England could which more than proves England was deserving of being in the final. Given that we beat England which France (the team that beat NZ) 'and' Australia were unable to do is proof enough we deserved to be there. Luckiest RWC Champions of the World! ... twice. :)
Mike
Guest
Jokerman, you are reading something into my post that just isn't there. If people think it would be nice for NZ to win the RWC, I don't have the slightest problem with that. But it isn't what we are discussing. Sheek made the point that the RWC would be a "sham" if NZ didn't win it - I didn't read him as disparaging the RWC per se, but he was arguing that there is something wrong with the RWC system. He referred to 2007 as an analogy, where NZ didn't even reach the finals. My response is, in effect: (a) there is no alternative system that doesn't involve a free ride for someone into the finals based on some sort of judgment (by whom I wonder) as to who is "greatest", and (b) the system works quite well, and did so in 2007. That may mean that a team that is otherwise dominant in test series doesn't make it - but this is a tournament, not a test series.
jokerman
Guest
Mike, it is not a God given right, only you say that, and only you say that it leads to that. Sheeks view is in line with a few people who think it would be great for a nation like NZ to get the RWC, even Nick far jones said something like that. It's an idealistic happy end to the World cup for a lot of people....Just because its not your country that Sheek is supporting, doesn't make it wrong. If samoa won I would say many would have the same feeling.
Quakezone...
Guest
Yep no worries...I actually believe McCaw does alot more on the field than Pocock or Brusow and the openside role has changed at international level, everyone on the field these days are coached to fetch or pilfer the ball thats part of rugby, Kaino and Hore get their share so does Conrad and Mealamu, nearly as many as Brusow or Pocock that doesn't make them better 7's does it?....McCaw still gets a few pilfers to be sure, but he is also a better lineout option a stronger ball carrying option and a better link with the backs and consistently is one of the top 3 tacklers in the AB's he is also involved in nearly every breakdown "cheating" or otherwise ... I admit he is a cheat but I honestly wouldn't have my 7 any other way.... the fetch or pilfer is one facet of a loose forwards arsenal, he still does this but offers a lot more and a higher workrate...I guess because we see one or key ones from Pocock or Brusouw we immediately think they are better 7's when they maybe just better fetchers, I actually believe that Warburton has a better "All round " game than both of these guys and is well on the way to being McCaws successor as the premier 7...You don't win 3 IRB player of the year awards for cheating, do you know how these awards are chosen?
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
When will Kiwis understand and learn from their past Karma DS? If anything the poor fella is giving himself the middle finger for wearing the AB jumper, not so bright now Mr Atkins!
jokerman
Guest
Hmm maybe. I just assumed because he said .."As it sits, the seedings suggest the quarters will be.." That he had made an error with the IRB rankings, thinking Scotland were ahead of Argentina. Who knows? When someone writes from the head, it is always going to be a myriad of inconsistencies.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Sorry quakezone either a coin toss between Pocock and Brussow for best 7, McCaw has become too much of a drifter in the backline and with that you see Hore, even Kaino play the fetcher role and not too badly either! McCaw is a great player but this is a RWC were 7's will get penalized out of the game so it may not be a bad thing that McCaw is playing only a cameo role at 7.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
W@nkers are in every walk of life. Why would the NZH be anti world cup. Its a great boost to a country which is doing it pretty touch so far this year.
Quakezone...
Guest
Mate I coach a 13 year old team and I tell my openside that he has to stuck in and really make nuisance of himself at the breakdowns and every opportunity he can - this is not telling him to 'cheat' but disrupt the opposition ball lets face it the refs will not pick up every indiscretion and sure he will get penalised but I want him to be one of the 1st three to the breakdown and I want him to know what hes going to do when he gets there...thats Rugby...for me thats stock standard stuff...BTW he is a converted centre