Eyeing 2015: Richie McCaw
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All Blacks captain Richie McCaw could be in line for a well-earned break from rugby in order to guarantee his fitness for the 2015 World Cup in England.
The 31-year-old, who when signing a new deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union, had a built-in sabbatical similar to that of fly-half Dan Carter.
However the openside flank has maintained that a stint overseas does not tempt him, with coach Steve Hansen unsure of whether he would take it.
"If we want to get him through to the next World Cup, then it would be a good idea if he uses it at some point," he told AllBlacks.com.
"But nothing has been finalised that I'm aware of at this point."
McCaw missed the early part of the last two Super Rugby tournaments, most recently due to a foot injury, but has had a fine Rugby Championship.
"At the end of the day, Richie is a smart enough man to know what his body needs," continued Hansen, who insists that McCaw will make the right call.
Comments
passtheball says...
Like the great M Jones injuries will probably have the final say as to when RMc calls time. The next W Cup is along way off.
Posted 12:45 25th September 2012
kennyisgay says...
The greatest player ever will go on to win another IRB player of the year possibly another 2 before lifting the billy webb again in 2015 then bow out with an olympic gold in Rio. LONG LIVE THE KING
Posted 22:28 22nd September 2012
masar says...
todd is overrated
Posted 21:56 22nd September 2012
Zandberg says...
If he's clever and not idiotic as John Smit was in his final two years, then he retires from All Black duty at the latest at the end of 2013. He'll probably have won another Four Nations by the end of 2013 (2012 is already in the bag) given how rubbish SA & Australia are playing at the moment, and can rightly be regarded as the best player of the modern era. He could still continue for the Crusaders for a few years and mean a lot to them. But staying on till 2015 would be inviting another John Smit scenario... but Richie will probably not be as stupid as that.
Posted 21:52 22nd September 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
He probably thinks the best way to keep the position is to keep his would be replacements with as few caps as possible.
Posted 21:20 22nd September 2012
Bones7 says...
My personal view is that this Rugby Championship has cemented Richie as the greatest player of the professional era, if not all time. The abuse he has put his body through must be starting to take its toll but he's playing some of his best every rugby at the moment, so another 3 years is not impossible if he's carefully managed. Is it entirely necessary though? After Michael Jones came Josh Kronfeld and after him came McCaw. Surely NZ will always have the players to take over from a great and it is nearly time the likes of Cane and Todd had that opportunity?
Posted 18:45 22nd September 2012
melkdave says...
Very hard decision for R.McCaw as to when to take this so called sabbatical.He has been a bit injury prone lately and taking it to soon means he risks injury,but taking it to late means he just isnt fit enough,come the RWC,and opens the door for S,Cane and M.Todd.He wont be to old in 2015,but it will be his last hurrah if he plays in it
Posted 15:34 22nd September 2012
UBA05 says...
I may be wrong here but i read an article where Mccaw is quoted as saying three worlds cups ('03, '07 & '11) ' was enough'. Quite possibly on the allblacks website. I think it was in the build up to the last world cup. Has his thinking changed??
I know he will be 33-34 yrs old and the great man is quite capable of still being the best loose forward in Nz but I truly hate seeing a great player past his best being forced to ride the pine due to some upstart kid (didn't richie himself ironically do this to someone), or playing horribly and all and sunder baying for his blood. I much prefer the walk away while you're still top dog.
But what do i know. Im sure Richie will know and act when he knows its time. I hope he makes it though, any true rugby fan wouldnt begrudge the man a second world cup and a fairytale ride off into the sunset
Posted 14:17 22nd September 2012
carpelone says...
Retirement period coming for McCaw?
I think it would be too much too ask to him, to be around in 2015. Ask John Smit for suggestions.
Posted 13:55 22nd September 2012