All Blacks and Crusaders captain Richie McCaw will sit out the majority of the 2013 Super Rugby season, it has been confirmed.
New Zealand's 2011 World Cup-winning skipper will take a six-month sabbatical aimed at guaranteeing his fitness for the 2015 World Cup in England.
The move means the 31-year-old flank will lead the All Blacks on this year's November tour to Europe, but will miss the three-Test series against France next June and will not play for the Crusaders until July.
McCaw's contract with the NZRU has a clause for a sabbatical similar to that of fly-half Dan Carter's stint at Perpignan in 2008, but the veteran leader is now set to use the period to rest rather than chase Euros overseas.
Crusaders boss Hamish Riach said the Super Rugby side are happy to let McCaw take a break.
Kieran Read will lead Crusaders next year, as he did during McCaw's injury-enforced absence this year.
"It is definitely going to happen," Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder told the Sunday Star-Times.
"Richie is going to take a sabbatical. He will probably be available after June. He won't be available for the Tests or Super Rugby, so he's going to get a good break. We've worked this through with all parties and I fully support it.
"He had it written into his contract and he's elected to take it. He's going to see the season out with the All Blacks, then have a break. It will freshen him up and he'll come back and be good for the next couple of years."
"He's probably going to head overseas and have a bit of a holiday, have a break and get away from the game," Blackadder added.
"Super Rugby is now an eight-month programme. It's a lot bigger than it used to be. The succession plan is [Read]. He did a fantastic job this year."
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
He should do what Carter did. Take half a million euro, or was it 300k for 6 months, off some dumb French club and then play about 100 minutes "hurt" himself and put his feet up for a sabbatical. Toulon would be good: he'd probably not get selected anyway.
Posted 19:33 24th September 2012
Phill_Moore says...
well said MacTavish and nzmaoriboy
When everybody is out of breath and cramping, Richie will still chase and be first to the rebound off the post to score the winning try at the death in the RWC 2015 final against Argentina... He's already practicing!
Posted 14:04 24th September 2012
BigRugbyBalls says...
Great idea. This will give Richie some time to have a rest, recuperate, take some classes to brush up on the basic rules of the breakdown (supporting your body weight, coming in through the gate, etc). Well done, fully deserved.
Posted 13:04 24th September 2012
APV1 says...
I just love the way they're using this "sabbatical" line to cover up the fact that he's being dropped. They're just fed up with his mediocrity and lack of skill.
Posted 11:11 24th September 2012
rugby_lord says...
This will not make a difference. ABs should get someone in now. 2015 will be a bridge too far for the great man.
Posted 09:46 24th September 2012
MacTavish says...
Wont make 2015 wont he? Lets see. 1999 RWC Final David Wilson was the number 7 for the winning Aussie team - age 32 in the Final. 2003 RWC Final Neil Back was the number 7 for the winning English team - age 34 in the Final. 2007 RWC Final Martin Corry was the number 6 for the losing English team - 34 in the Final. Plenty of evidence you can play on the flank well into your early 30s. Fact. Ritchie McCaw is 31, he will be 34 in 2015. Remember all the naysayers, doubters and haters that said his time was done when he injured his foot late last year and early this year? Did you all see the last game vs the Boks. Machine with a big ticker. FIRST MAN to the rebound off the posts at the final whistle. You can count on him being the first man on the team list in 2015... count on it!
Posted 04:57 24th September 2012
runnrugby says...
Played 110 international matches 98 wins 12 losses. I think he deserves a break
Posted 02:56 24th September 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
This dude is an awesome bloke and of course a brilliant rugby player! It is a well timed sabbatical and probably at a critical time in his career. Part of me reckons this could be the beginning of the end? Plenty of things to consider! whomever fills his jersey would not consider it a care taker role & Richie may actually enjoy his time out permanently, he's no spring chicken (though his form is still great). Not a FAN OF THE HATERS unless of course you sincerely believed he cheated his way to 110 test matches with 12 losses? (delusional much) oh and that he also tricked the IRB panel which consists of 12 of the greatest rugby players of all time into picking him IRB player of the year, a couple times! because you(from the comfort of your couch) and your massive opinion of your opinions believes he does not deserve it.If this doesn't seem crazy to you..then remember loons never think their loony! he he. However the gist of these columns is it takes different sorts..so no disrespect intended peoples! Just LOVE the ruggers
Posted 00:46 24th September 2012
mrchomicz says...
Not trying to start a flame war, But i love how on another article on this site, People are bashing Quade Cooper for criticizing an under performing Wallabies in a respectful manner, and people label him a trader and a prima-donna. On the other hand, an Article about McCaw taking time off to be ready for a World Cup in which he will be to old, and he is highley praised. The Rugby community has their priorities way out of whack.
Posted 00:14 24th September 2012
BillyMutt2 says...
Thanks @FISH, good one. Hilarious. Now go play outside with you little friends - if you have any.
Posted 23:45 23rd September 2012
Euskadi says...
Smart player management by industrious forward thinking coaches, managers and administrators in NZ rugby is one of the many reasons that NZ is consistently the best rugby country on the planet
Posted 21:30 23rd September 2012
isthatrightref says...
Oh no! No McCheat for half a season! Who now can the master baiter & the assorted bok-somethings/something-boks blame when their teams get their asses handed to them... of course, they'll still have the ref-bashing to fall back on but somehow it won't be quite the same, will it?
Seriously though, if anyone's earned a break from the game it's Richie who must now be close to being our greatest-ever player... when he comes back, though, I'd still like to see him with 6 on his back & let Cane, Todd or whoever have a decent run at 7.
Posted 21:26 23rd September 2012
jmanngod says...
@ Munster... the thing is that he would still deserve it even he if did take 6- months off. Because he IS that good. He will retire as rugby's greatest player, no dispute, no arguments.
As for the haters... what a joke he is so beyond their slurs it doesn't matter at all.
Posted 19:58 23rd September 2012
carpelone says...
Loot at his grin. He is already thinking to park his boat in offside.
Posted 18:29 23rd September 2012
Toulousain says...
chaps, calm down, it wasn't a reference to rougerie, it's just that he has had a good look at a few french clubs but decided to put his feet up instead. in our (small) town, when someone as famous and respected as monsieur mccaw gets off the plane to have a look around and chat to people at the club, you can't help but have people take notice and talk about it. as for rougerie, i doubt very much he will be part of the national set-up anyway since we have many better and younger players, so he is unlikely to tour next summer. shame, because a lot of us wld like to see him get smashed too. (legally, of course).
Posted 15:19 23rd September 2012
Ramage says...
@Ferdie you have hit the nail on the head the haters crawl out from under their log and post their hatred or smart alec comment because they cant get to grips with the fact he is such an effective player. Isn't it interesting that the cocky smart alecs like Trinuts queue up to show their ignorance. He is like Abbott the Oz opposition leader who believe if you say something no matter how wrong it is, enough times, it must be true. Funny Trinuts the referees who are the ones who deal with this and know the laws better than you dont seem to agree with you. The fact is that he is effective, knows the rules and knows when to hold back. People like Fish are so full of hate they are in the Greyling camp and want to see violence against him. Its amazing how this player because he is so good brings out the worst in the haters who post about him. As for you Toulousain this move has been on the cards for a long time and Ferdie has summed the matter up well. However it will be interesting to see whether Rougerie is named in the team to tour as his actions may have gone unpunished but they have not been forgotten.
Posted 13:38 23rd September 2012
Ferdie says...
Toulousain why would you say that?
in McCaw's career he has played v France 11 times for 10 wins 2003-2011. The only time McCaw has been on a losing side v France was 2007. At 91% wins they would I think be one of his favourites.
Posted 12:09 23rd September 2012
Toulousain says...
Guess he really doesn't want to play the French again anytime soon.....
Posted 10:39 23rd September 2012
Up_and_under says...
Dammn Richie, if I was your boss i'd say "take the next three years off if you want, you sure as hell deserve it".
The only problem tho, would be that members like "FISH" wouldn't be able whinge about you anymore.
Posted 10:32 23rd September 2012
Ferdie says...
any mention of the name McCaw brings out the typical 'hater' people on this forum
so much for the 'sport' we say we love!
and it's not 'news' as such this allowance for a break was made public when he signed his contract last year
if he has played almost 400 first-class games, and how much of last year on a fractured foot, why would anyone begrudge him a break from rugby?
I don't care either way if he comes back, plays half-matches, retires, he will remain, in history, as one of the greatest players ever.
Posted 10:27 23rd September 2012