Old men and and one trick ponies

Once again spouting confidence from some meaningless victory.  This time against the American second stringers.  A South Africa with misplaced confidence is a weak South Africa. Let's be honest.  The Jarpies have had a disastrous few years culminating in their loss to Japan.  Who would want the poisoned chalice that is the national rugby union team? I'm not a hater of Heneke Meyer but he got to where he is on the back of a Bulls pack that used to outmuscle their position and an almost flawless 1st5 (when it comes to kicking!).  The Boks have always shown a stubbornness to move on from this suffocating (for everyone, also world rugby fans) game plan.  They no longer have a pack that can win a top tier game on their own.

They have a habit of sticking with their tried and trusted(?).  Same goes for the retention of players.  While New Zealand is constantly on the ball trying, testing, developing talent, eradicating weaknesses and preparing players for that step up, the Republic seem to have their heads in the sand.

Morné Steyn took a long time to start heading to the exit door.  Constantly criticised by their inability to open a game up they refute this on the back of 50 point wins once breaking the will of lesser opposition and running in 3 or 4 tries in the final half hour.  Steyn is the best proof you have that they have never let go.  Another that owes his longevity and success to the Bulls dour gameplan.

Schalk Burger will alway remain one of my favourite all time players.  Blonde hair, elbows, shoulders and knees flying into breakdowns is a classic sight and he was truly a menace to all teams.  A true old school player that would have been an even bigger legend in the Colin Meads era. He fought his way back from his recent deathbed to reclaim a Springbok jersey but should he still be there today?  His influence is a mere shadow of what he used to bring to the table.  He isn't the player he once was.

The irrepressible Schalk

Captain JP De Villiers.  A knee injury that would have probably spelt his retirement if there hadn't been the challenge of the looming World Cup.  Then back on the field and a broken jaw.  De Villiers has been an outstanding servant to the worldwide game, a true gentleman, but the Boks have shown they have 2 dangerous youngsters.  A depleted captain and player in every sense, he backed up for the cup about 10kg below his normal playing weight.  His loss is a blessing.  Not the player he once was.

Fourie Du Preez was justifiably rated the world's premier #9 for a long time (I remember Graham Henry laxing lyrical eons ago).  Now, in a similar vein to the apparent brimming confidence gained from the US victory, he's back in form?  Time will tell.  An opposition pack achieving somewhere around parity will give us more insight there.  Not the player he once was but possibly still deserving of his squad and starting role spot.

Victor Matfield, lineout kingpin.  Well,....former kingpin.  That mantle seems to sit with the All Blacks' Sam Whitelock now.  Your true one trick pony.  White men can jump.  But this one can't do much else.  I always maintained the best way to stifle a South African attack was to make sure Matfield had inserted himself into the backline somewhere. And one of the weakest ball carrying forwards seen at this level.  South Africa LET GO!!  His injury/ommission is an obvious windfall.  2 huge,bustling young bulls add some real grunt to the engine room when paired up.  Probably still the same player he always was, except for not being quick enough to even put in his late hits.  Apart from jumping there isn't anything else to live up to.  Old enough to be team manager.

This is the closest I could find to an action shot

Bryan Habana our other one trick pony.  South Africa was still giving him player of the year awards when he should of just been a bag carrier to the national team.  He had wheels.  He still has some reasonable pace but what else does he bring? Without that extra metre his chip and regather seems to have deserted him.  Without anything resembling space he becomes a passenger in a team that can't create for their outsides.  Should have been long gone from the Springboks. Not the player he once was.

Weeeee!! look at me! I'm gonna break the record for most World Cup tries on the back of games against crap teams like this 2nd string American lineup.

No way are they going to go all the way.  They will have trouble against a Welsh team with a severe limp.  But then again they did win the '07 edition with possibly the worst Springbok team there has ever been.  Definitely the weakest World Champions to date.

#RUGBYWORLDCUP2015: Quarter final show downs

South Africa v Wales

No questions as to what the Boks are going to attempt to bring to the party.  It's going to be a destroy mission upfront and they will try to steamroll a severly winged Welsh outfit.  But they haven't shown the ability to bring their one and only gameplan all year and once again, like clockwork, they spout new found form on the back of an easy victory.  Let's remember this was the USA second stringers, South Africa with misplaced confidence is an almost guarantee of another below par showing.  On the plus side the old man injuries have given them a stronger starting line up, though they could have done with 1 or 2 more falling over.

The Taffs have shown a tendency this cup to keep on hanging on.  Kudos to a lot of hard work from a line of NZ coaches.  If they had had any idea on attack and concentrated on looking for space instead of continuous 1st and 2nd channels versus a 13 man Australia they would be playing Scotland instead.  George North in the 13 jersey is a liability in defence and attack.  He gets his D lines confused and, as with most wings, is no distributor.  The young Bok centre pairing while a handful on attack do have their own defensive weaknesses but North isn't capable of exploiting that.  If Ainscombe plays at the back we could be in for a treat. An unknown at international level and relied on more than a few injuries to make his way into the squad but has shown to be a real handful in Super rugby.  With all the kicks he's likely to receive, it could cause some real problems for South Africa.

Not sure I want to pick this one, so let's say 'go Wales!'.

Ainscombe....somewhat of a silent assassin

All Blacks v France

The Frogs couldn't get up versus a very one dimensional Ireland.  They couldn't defend versus a gameplan that involved minimal offloads meaning no support runners.  Can they hold the All Blacks out? Hopefully the All Blacks won't disappear into their shells again on this one. Or can Les Bleus pull another performance out of the hat just for NZ fans?  

The ABs have received their share of flak and have had problems implementing against lesser teams but they have a tendency to do what is required when necessary.  Expect to see New Zealand's #1 game plan from here on.  A pack going full on into contact (they showed the intent in their last pool game) and trying to outmuscle every other team at the breakdown, then that ball going wide the moment there's some space and mismatches for the backs.  Hansen has surely put the hard word on his front 8. Live or die by the sword. Pave the way for the team and country to the Cup. Then the backs will be able to display their wares and finally end this notion that attacking rugby can't win the World Cup, which will bode well for both the All Blacks and rugby at future cups. One feels McCaw and co have too much to prove this time round.  A chance to bury some ghosts.

Always impossible to pick scores when France is involved but let's say ABs by 16.

Dusautoir....if the French pull this one off it will be in no small part due to him

Ireland v Argentina

For all Ireland's pre cup optimism I have a feeling it's once again a quarter final exit.  Their seemingly dominant performance versus the Frogs was one dimensional stuff.  Schmidt's plan was "Don't lose that ball!" and Ireland played basically ball up your jumper rugby with every carrier tucking it under 2 arms and never looking to offload.  Their final pool victory was more down to a vacant French team. The Paddies climbed as far as #2 in the world rankings but there was always a falsity about it as the Boks and Australia always drop placings due to constant matches versus each other and the All Blacks. Now with the loss of key and experienced personnel surely the bookies will be forced to favour the Pumas.  

The Argy Bargies will meet the Irish pack with pure determination and there are going to be some sore bodies from the Emerald Isle after this one.  The Irish backs have gone ok but with Sexton seemingly out most of that goes out the window. And the Argentine backs are looking pretty lively themselves. 

Argentina to outmuscle the Irish and take this one by 10.

Santiago Cordero....no monster at 5ft9" and 79kg but give him some space and see you later

Australia v Scotland

Aussie definitely look the form team but a hurt, and uninspiring when it counted, Wales gifted them this draw. Pocock out, Australia's best player to date, is obviously a loss but you still expect the Wallabies to canter this.

The Sweats are triers and can turn on the odd gutsy performance but nothing tells me to expect one this weekend. I'll leave it at that.

Aussie by 20.

Jonny Grey, little brother of Richie.My main interest in this game is to watch this kid.

South Africa v Japan-NZ combined, World Cup 2015

Just a few quick word as I can't let that one slip by.

Plaudits to Eddie Jones, a huge amount of work had obviously gone into those lightning hooked scrums and the low tackling with flanks cutting off the supply channels for offloads.  The accuracy of their passing game versus the familiar handling errors from the Boks, the Japs giving South Africa some of their own medicine with a rushing defence (that they kept up for 80 minutes!) creamed off with an energetic 100 mile per hour attitude that only the Japanese have. The 12 man mauls catching the Boks unaware and Garcia could easily have awarded a match winning penalty try for a collapsed maul in the dying moments. The world heavyweight once again showing their inability to change tack during a game.  Easily the greatest upset in international rugby history (except the '95 final) and that's with leaving 10 points on the field in the 1st 11 minutes, this should give some real motivation to the other competing minnows. In the Republic this will cause a vicious backlash to the imposed quotas. Huge, huge match from Japanese captain Michael Leitch.  A dark day in history for the Springboks. Go the Brave Blossoms!



hahahahahahaha

"my" Hansen's World Cup Squad

Coles
Mealamu
Taylor
Elliot's a top lineout thrower but the AB lineout is reigning supreme and he doesn't bring the same energy to his ball-carrying game as he used to. Taylor nabs his spot. Meanwhile Hansen must be over the moon with Coles' development.

O. Franks
B. Franks
Woodcock
Crockett
Laulala 
Faumuiana would probably have been in here, not to sleight Laulala but to keep some others honest. The other frontrowers have all been somewhat lazy of late. Too late for a clean out. Unfortunately the recent head knock puts him out til the naming of the squad.

Time to bring it again, Brodie

Whitelock
Retallick
Romano 
No 4th lock....Thrush is no more than an honest 2nd rower.  Does some hard graft but zero X factor.  Broadhurst will have to wait til next season.  He slipped up bigtime versus South Africa and now has question marks come the big knock out games. Kaino will have to cover. Confidence in our present lineout allows this.

1st XV?

Read
McCaw
Cane 
Kaino
Vito
Messam
Messam will owe his spot to the fact no 4th lock put their hand up.  Recently he has muscled up as demanded by our #6s but his error-rate has skyrocketed as well as needless penalties. Vito has been arguably the top performing NZ loosie this Super season (only competition coming from Hurricanes teammates Savea, Blade Thomson and Brad Shields....both the latter should be in ahead of Messam).  Though a #8 and having had previous problems stepping into the blindside role, Vito brings greater speed and ball handling.  He will have Messam's spot on the bench in big games, maybe even stealing the 6 jersey from Kaino who seems a shadow of his former self.

Smith
Perenara
To accommodate all the below players we're only taking 2 9s to the Cup, taking advanatage of the injury replacement if needed.  In the group games any of the below will suffice as back up if one of the former need a week out.


Carter
Barrett
Sopoaga
Slade
Normally I'd have had Slade as the unlucky one but Hansen's decision to rest him from NPC action raises eyebrows.  Sopoaga has to be the first back should Carter go down and Hansen will give him a group game starting, come knock out time he won't be used on the bench That spot going to Barrett.

Please don't fall over

Nonu
Williams
Smith
Fekitoa
Nonu is in the form of his life and Williams won't get a look in.  On recent form he shouldn't even be in the squad.  Fekitoa doesn't deserve his place either.  All Blacks just don't have error rates that high. He'll get a run in done and dusted games or, if we're under the pump and need something out of the hat.  Hope like hell Nonu and Smith stay fit.  Losing Nonu is going to screw us. I'd have gone with George Moala (the closest to a Nonu replica there is) and Charlie Ngatai (though I do like the look of the Blues' Hamish Northcote).  At the very least I hope Moala is the new Nonu 2016.

No room for Israel?

B.Smith
Savea
Milner-Skudder
Piutau
Unfortunate for Dagg but he gets squeezed out.  I'm sure Hansen and co are pretty desperate to take him but at whose cost? I'd argue that our best performing backline in recent years is with Smith on the wing and Dagg at 15. But Smith is arguably the world's best fullback and Piutau, though not the current favourite son, is the best performing All Black back this year.  Can't leave out The Bus or the dazzling feet of the latest whizzkid on the block. Jane is undercooked, him and the outstanding Osbourne will be monitored as backups during the ITM Cup.

Chief Bolter

Anyone is happy when predictions come true.  Hardly betting, never on golf and winning 17/1 odds on McElroy's first Grand Slam.  Predicting a break out year for Brodie Retallick and he follows up with the International Player of the Year Award.  Not finding the wanted (and would have been winning) bet option on Schumacher finishing 6th in his comeback race (down to an acquaintance's dream).  Picking the Hurricanes as 2015 champions after round 2 and sitting 8 points clear of 2nd with a game in hand after round 15.  Hell, even telling all it'd be Prince George when the bookies had no idea.

Damian Mckenzie to snaffle up a 1st5/fullback possie in the 2015 World Cup All Blacks.  Which means he's going to be tried out prior.  Nothing rattles him.  Takes big hits, makes his tackles (+90%), and keeps getting up for more.  Unusual to take a new kid on board in cup year but he's a game breaker and with the pressure he puts on opposition's defences he opens up so much room for the dangerous All Black outsides.  All the talk about Carter, Cruden, Slade, and Sopoaga as a bolter,...pencil this kid in.

State of the Nation

Things aren't looking too bad.  They say when Auckland rugby is strong, All Black rugby is strong.  All Black rugby is strong.  Auckland has seen better days.  Much better days.  So maybe we should start from the bottom up.

It's the old cliche.  Trotted out time and again. Every Otago team is greater than the sum of its parts.  You could even have uttered this early season but not now.  Yes, there's still the two Smiths and new AB Fekitoa playing their main parts.  But there's a host of others who are thrusting their names forward for national selection.  The 2 wings, Naholo and Osbourne, together with Ben challenge as the best back 3 in the business, with only the Hurricanes to have a word about that.  Osbourne has been in the AB camp before.  Now he is twice the player.  Getting involved he is guaranteed gain line and recycled ball.  That extra time he stays on his feet as he plucks off another metre compliments the All Black style perfectly.
Buckman may never be an AB but if you were selected on heart and effort he'd be the 1st name on the teamsheet.  Asked to fill in the midfield he's done so admirably and you get the feeling he'd play prop if asked. As error free a footballer as you get and then some.  This guy is a thinker and the way he pounces, Barracuda is a nice fit. In the pack they are hardly no names.  Coltman's stock is rising but if there's one player that epitomises this team it's Elliot Dixon.  Perhaps another to fit into the "never an AB" category but this guy shirks nothing and is at the forefront of everything.  Asked to fill in across the backrow he does it with ease, while obviously his best game comes at 6.

Craig Joubert carried the Lions home over the 2nd 40 on the weekend and a recent loss to the Brumbies shouldn't deter.  Master plan by Joseph to fit in his compulsory All Black rest weekends versus a conference front runner.

 

Elliot Dixon

Up to Crusader country and we have the greatest team in pro rugby history that doesn't quite know whether its time is done or not.  Forget the availibility of McCaw and Carter.  This team has struggled since letting Fruean go.  This team seems bereft of ideas when they have no big guy to punch holes at pace out wide.  Enter Nadolo and we have another beast on our hands.  Problem is if he isn't firing the team isn't.  Then getting ball to your winger with some space to work with is another story.  They have missed Dagg.  He has unfairly copped criticism this year but when he has been on the paddock he has looked at or near his best, finding gaps in oppositions' defences out wide and initiating singlehandedly the linking attacks we know the Crusaders are famous for.  Slade is pushing as the best #10 in the comp but apart from that the 3/4s are struggling to get over the advantage line.  Tom Taylor was a short time All Black but I doubt we'll see him there again.  He's very much his ol' man, ie. Mr Dependable.  Bit tough on him being asked to be the Crusaders' handyman but he stifles the attack.  At 15 he is nothing more than your old time fullback, just the last line of defence.  He brings no attack to the team at all.  Up in the engine room and the Red & Blacks have a wealth of riches.  They just need to sort out their pretty boys.  Is it too late?

Jordan Taufua - worth putting a higher number on his back?

Across the Cook Strait into capital territory and we have a revelation.  This team has looked nothing other than finals material since round one.  Wonderkid Barrett pulling the strings and growing with every minute, the new found stepping "Super Rugby is easy" whizzkid at 15 Milner-Skudder, and 2 wide flanks in Savea and Jane and you've got some serious fire power.  Nonu in the form of his life and the ageless Conrad Smith, all fed by TJ Perenara finally pushing for the AB 9 jersey?  In the pack the only worry will be Thrush,....can he keep his jersey?  My money would say no.  Broadhurst is outperforming him in every aspect.  A backrow of Vito, Shields and Ardie Savea means no place for Blade Thomson.  This guy is dynamic and must be pushing for a black jersey of his own, forget the yellow one. Up front it's all good with most the fatties on the selectors' radar.  The biggest threat to a maiden Super title is losing a home knock out match to a fellow Kiwi team.

The name says it all. Blade.

Heading on up State Highway 1 to Chiefs territory.  Still a champion team but playing like a champion every 2nd game.  Lowe pushing hard for a black jersey, pops up everywhere, a powerhouse wing with a boot to match and capable of holding his own at fullback.  Nanai-Williams has been chasing the AB dream all his life and despite this being his best season his at times frail defence is all that's holding him back.  Sonny Bill in midfield has been unusually quiet and the work he does creating can go unnoticed.  Cruden maybe isn't the big loss people think if the Chiefs would fill it with the younger MacKenzie brother. Belying his slight frame this boy can light up a game.  Far too quick for any of the tight 5 this kid can dart through keyholes.  Messam has finally muscled up over the last season or 2, Retallick is Retallick, much more than a workhorse.  Big Ben still hanging in for that black jersey, he seems capable of 80 to me and throws himself around.  Not sure what the final criteria is the selectors are looking for.

 Damian MacKenzie....blink and you'll miss him

Over the Bombays and a coaching frustration.  The simplest game plan Kirwan could put in place is order zero offloads.  The Blues would still win half their games this way.  The amount of spilled ball is terrifying and surprised Sir John still has a head of hair.  This is like watching bad games from the Hurricanes of old over and over again.  Some classy backs right through from 11 to 15.  Bowden was a godsend so we'll be wanting him back quick sharp. Moala, off field problems seemingly behind him, should be being watched by Hansen and co.  If they seriously want to continue down the Nonu-C.Smith road then Fekitoa doesn't fit the concept.  Wing come inside-centre Moala is your man.  A beast, ball in hand, the only player that comes close to Nonu's bustling pressure relieving crash game. Piutau will be sorely missed.  Up front Luatua is playing for his life and is hoping to step up in Kaino's absence.  Akira Ioane is the one to watch.  19 years old and already sitting 120kg opponents on their proverbials with powerful runs, icing it nicely with some 3/4 like swerving runs out wide.  The question here is will the selectors be willing to blood a kid in the lead up to the Cup?  Tuipulotu is a one man wrecking machine but his offloads have to be restrained.  If he can get that right he is going to be an important cog at the Cup with the modern game. New look Tu'ugafasi looks good to me.  As big as today's props come at 120kg and 195cm, just ticked over 23 will the selectors also be ready to take a gamble here?

Akira Ioane

  

All up New Zealand rugby is looking pretty good despite the exodus.  A lot of untried players at international level pushing for a part.  We haven't seen how they stack up playing at the elite, but neither has anyone else.Things are looking pretty damned good.

An aberration. The Real Deal part 2

Don't write them off.  This Hurricanes side is still all that.  A costly Ardie Savea error in the opening minutes certainly came back to haunt the Canes and was the losing of the match.  But there was much more to it than that.  They still coughed up points and definitely gifted some to the Waratahs.  The Hurricanes resorted back to their dirty old habit of playing catch up everytime they got their mits on the ball.  Silly offloads and risky passes, that in front of a rushing Waratahs defence were always going to spell trouble.  But this team is still the best in the comp.  This was a game they dominated and should have been 20 up after 20 minutes.  They still have that new found defensive edge.  They still have an in form Nonu and Julian Savea.  They have a courageous 9 in Perenara who is playing himself into the world cup.  And what about that covering tackle on the monstrous Will Shelton?  Gutsy. They have some depth and talent through the pack, not the least of which is the dynamic Blade Thomson who must be being looked at. And don't forget the new whizzkid on the block, Milner-Skudder.  Where did he get that name? Who cares?  This kid could dance his way through a hailstorm.  Check out his twinkle toe maneuver on the seasoned Ashley-Cooper.  Hyphenated surname versus hyphenated surname.  And a committed AC was left grasping at air going to ground while Milner-Skudder had already waltzed past him. And his "hook" pass is the next big thing after the Sonny Bill offload.

 Blade Thomson

It is time to trot out that old line about sometimes a loss is more important than a win.  In this case it is the case.  The Hurricanes had to get that out of their system.  That nasty flashback to seasons gone by.  The frustrating Hurricanes of old.  Better now than later.  Now they can get back to the drawing board and reset this season's system into play.  I wouldn't put my house on them but at least the garage.

The Real Deal

Hurricanes supporters have had reasons to get their hopes up before.  It's been that way since day one of official professional rugby with the 1996 Super 12 season opener when the Hurricanes combined with the Blues to put on the best advertisement the competition could have hoped for in a 28-36 loss, drifting off to finish 9th while the Blues went on to take the inaugural title. 2 years later the upped the ante to get us far as the semis before falling to the Brumbies in the stronghold that is Canberra. That was followed by a pocketful of midtable finishes until the 2003 season where they were one of 3 NZ teams to make the cut, with only the Brumbies in 4th spoiling Kiwi domination, before going down as many have before and after them to the Crusaders in Canterbury country. 2 seasons later they followed it up with another playoff spot only for the Crusaders to show them who was boss, the Hurricanes for many years struggling to show the class necessary for the big games versus big time opposition. Welcome to the inaugural Super 14 season and the team from Wellington made it easier on themselves by finishing the season strongly, taking 2nd spot behind nemisis Canterbury before going down 19-12 in an ugly (if you can call ugly what you can't see) encounter in a fog ridden final at Jade Stadium.  2008 was another semi appearance yet again to be haunted by a history making Crusaders outfit while in 2009 they had the joy of finishing above the Red and Blacks only to fall to the Chiefs in Hamilton in another NZ dominated playoffs.

What a joy....the Paekakariki Express, Christian Cullen

The new 6 team playoff set up that came along with the 2011 Super XV did the Hurricanes no favours with the team, to date, failing to make the cut.

They've had some great players, Captain Fantastic Tana Umaga, Jonah Lomu, the irrepressible Christian Cullen, that shark above water Lome Fa'atau, Jerry the Terminator Collins, cannonball Norm Hewitt, Weepu, Roger Randle, and a score of other ABs or nearly ABs from teams gone by that are too many to name. In the early 2000s they had a team stacked in the backs with the likes of Lomu, Cullen, Umaga, Nonu, Fa'atau, Alatini, and a pack comprised of Collins, Masoe, Vanisi, So'oialo, Tito and Hore but still couldn't match it versus the giants of Super Rugby.  Giants perhaps being the appropriate term as having a backline to dazzle and a lightning fast loose trio counted for nothing when the tight 5 was too small and inconsistent.  Even of recent years it's been same old same old for Wellington fans with a backline to entertain if they actually got any front foot ball. And let's not forget the turmoil surrounding the Hammett Nonu saga.

Lome Fa'tau

So roll along 2015 and what are we seeing? 3 victories on the trot: 2 in the republic and the 3rd a banana skin win on the return in Perth.  Bye round up then back to the unpredictable 'Canes of the past?  Hammett has moved on no doubt leaving the team in a better place mentally than it was prior to his arrival.  The return of the prodigal son in Nonu.  A backline reminiscent of seasons past with class from A to Z,  6 All Blacks, even a new Jonah who is worth one individual try per game, and a choice of 15s of whom surely one will pull on the black jersey.  The bye has come perfectly for the Hurricanes.  Yes, they are injury free, but this break will allow them to take stock and they will come back feet firmly planted and frothing at the bit.

Beast Mode

So what about the pack? The return from the republic of John Plumtree with some good old hardnosed South African defence creeping into the training and playing systems is evident and now the Hurricanes have a complete team.  They may have had some luck with both results in South Africa but you ride with those and if you can stay in the game that's the nature of the beast (regarding rugby officialdom these days...).  Gone are the days of helter skelter from their 22.  Gone are the frustrating cough ups any time a roll did get on.  And gone are the soft turnovers and leaky D.  Watch any one of the 'Canes games to date.  It's the pack that's standing up.  They have frontrowers who are all knocking on the All Blacks' door. They are knocking ball carriers backwards with aggressive defence and attacking the tackle areas intelligently otherwise spreading the defence from touch to touch.  Any turnover spells danger in Super Rugby and any turnover to the Hurricanes screams look out!

The scary thing is they haven't even worked on their attacking systems yet.  But the markers have been set in place and to finish your road trip unbeaten sitting pretty at the top of the table is unthought of for any team in seasons of late.  This team now has the confidence and belief and is ready to unleash.  Look out Super XV.  Come finals time this team will be there. This team is the real deal.

The King isn't dead

If your local betting agency is offering odds on McCaw's future get in there.  A lot of speculation about what, no buts about it, the greatest rugby player there has ever been is going to do post world cup.  It's long been well documented that King Richie has no ambitions to cash in, even for one season, on the the lucrative French market.  Certainly nobody would begrudge him that, and personally seems a strange decision as nobody would even look at it as McCaw filling up his pockets with French euro, but a chance at another playing and life experience before hanging up the boots.  After all, you're a long time dead and though Richie certainly wouldn't have any troubles finding would be sponsors to pay for a globe trotting lifestyle attending rugby matches and tournaments everywhere, every rugby player knows being in the mix is a complete other world.

Long live the King

Not many AB captains have been known nationally by their first names.  Tana would have been the first and and Richie the second.  Captain Fantastic and King Richie.  Picked as a 20 yr old by John Mitchell (at least he got something right) for the end of year 2001 tour amid criticism, McCaw went on to claim the MoM award in his first ever international and played all 3 tests that tour and only 1 season later was voted Newcomer of the Year by the International Rugby Players Association. He'd go on to win 6 NPC trophies with Canterbury, 4 Super titles (as well as 4 losing finals and 5 semis),  and 9 Tri Nations/Rugby Championships, and to date, 1 World Cup.  Without this coming season he has 120 All Black victories (and 2 draws from 136 matches) and has captained the ABs more than a staggering 100 times.  He may be slowing up but he has evolved.  His effect on the match is no less such is his experience added to the mana he holds with the match officials.

Untouchable:2 yellow cards in 13 years of international rugby

This is a guy who could travel the world on his laurels but seems that doesn't sit right with him.  Remember this is a guy who turned down a royal wedding invite and a knighthood because rugby came first.  It's all of this that makes me come to one conclusion.  Is Richie going to cash in on a one off season in Europe lapping up French wine and the Mediterannean sun on the Côte d'Azur? No, he isn't.  Is he going to sign on for the NZRU in some type of mentor role?  A possibility, definitely hard to see him letting go 100%.  Or has Hansen put out a call to arms?  Woodcock, Mealamu, Carter, Conrad Smith, Nonu.....all gone post cup.  Plus a number of fringe players.  It will be one of the biggest rebuilds ever for the All Blacks despite Hansen's neverending effort at building depth and experience.  The 2016 All Blacks will need Richie more than ever before.  The NZRU are going to front up with the biggest contract they have ever undertaken, place it under their captain's nose and tell him the fate of the nation depends on him.  And Richie won't be able to say no.  One more year to bring through the new brigade.  To expose them to that "no man left behind" culture that has developed with McCaw at the helm.  The NZRU will ramp it up and Richie is not able to leave the ABs in the lurch.  2016 All Black captain, Richie McCaw 150 test matches.

Had to find a place for this one