There are only a few players in a fan’s lifetime that imprint their names and leave a lasting impression on an entire sporting public. Players that are recalled and talked about in pubs, mentioned and lauded in the media and those players’ deeds are emulated by children and young sports stars; think Michael Jordan in Basketball, Greg Norman in Golf or Wayne Gretzky in Ice Hockey. Richie McCaw in that same league.
Over the time that I have admired him play for The Crusaders, he has left a mark on Super Rugby; always performing well in just about every game he was involved in. He was a standout when he was thrust into the side in 2002 and he has reached greater heights than many would have imagined. He has achieved feats, including amazing playing records and highlights, that when looked upon ensure that Richie’s name will be held in high esteem for generations to come.
He played 145 games in Crusader red; what he’s accomplished during his record-setting career seems almost insurmountable: 4 Championships, 100 Super Rugby wins to compliment the 100 All Blacks victories he has been involved in to date (which might never be topped) 27 tries scored, playoff matches and finals, countless man-of-the-match performances and endless vital interventions at crucial moments. If one sports person might be judged by their final act/match at club level, then a fine win up against the ‘old enemy’ A.C.T Brumbies on Saturday was a fitting tribute for him and long-time team mate and friend Dan Carter, who is leaving for European riches.
While his impact on our sport doesn’t resonate internationally like that of Jordan, Norman or even Gretzky, for fans of this game we love, his name is a constant in the winning results that his team [Crusaders] have enjoyed over the years. Richie is at the head of a very short line to put his name alongside New Zealand (NZ) rugby icons Sir Colin Meads, Michael Jones, Don Scott and George Nepia. For me, Richie McCaw is now in that same league and after 137 caps we are, as you might say, just ‘waiting on a friend’ to complete an impeccable All Blacks career.
We are now waiting on him to say finally “that’s it”; the true date that New Zealand rugby player Richard Hugh McCaw will finally ‘hang up his boots’ is still unknown. In 2015 he has played his final season of Super Rugby and now has goals of leading his beloved national team towards a Rugby Championship and then form willing, leading his men towards a third Rugby World Cup and defense of their title won in 2011.
It’s been talked about for months, his final playing days have been assumed by media and he has near-as admitted that 2015 will be his final year in Rugby to many. But this article is no ‘eulogy’ as he has plenty to offer this current All Blacks side. From what we can surmise, no one apart from the current All Blacks captain knows for sure whether his rugby career will end at the conclusion of this year’s World Cup. So while we might naturally start to admire his past-playing career, even begin to compile “best of DVDs”, don’t forget he is still preparing to defend and win a second Webb Ellis Trophy. As a player he is still trucking along nicely thank you.
His legacy
This season might be one to forget, but during McCaw’s time with The Crusaders since 2001, the side have only missed the play-offs once in 14 long years in the toughest club rugby competition around. Heralded from an early age, he debuted for the Crusaders and began to display his awesome abilities to the extent that he was quickly hand picked for higher honours in the famous black jersey. He was a part of the victorious 2002 side went on to captain Canterbury to a national provincial title in 2004. In fact, he would end up with an amazing four Super Rugby titles; including back-to-back triumphs in 2005/2006 before a final victory in 2008.
Incredible in an age of modern rugby where bodies are put on the line for 18 weeks before they must prepare for 3 weeks of finals footy. Incredible longevity at the pinnacle of Southern Hemisphere rugby.
The accolades adorned on him are fitting as well: Rugby World Cup winning captain 2011; New Zealand Sportsman of the Year 2010/2011; International IRB Rugby Player of the Year 2006/2009/2010 and an rooms full of silverware – Bledisloe Cups, Tri-Nations/Rugby Championships, Super Rugby titles, National Provincial Championships and captained a NZ under 19 World Championship side. In 2002, McCaw was even voted as ‘Newcomer of the Year’ by the International Rugby Players Association; voted by his peers; a sign of early International regard.
His pedigree was pretty obvious from 2001/2002 when a young McCaw started to impress the rugby establishment. He is the type who might have impressed many over his early days, from his rugged play for Otago Boys High School until he debuted for the All Blacks on 17th November 2001 against Ireland (one of several national sides he has never lost against). From his first ever All Blacks game til his most recent, it is a great player who can begin at others level and outshine those he plays against and with. The incumbent Josh Kronfeld was playing for his own position and over the 2002 Super Rugby season, Richie’s form instilled his name on the selectors checklist.
He was young, fast and courageous. He had a steadfast self belief that would often beguile a rugby-smart brain that became a sponge of all the best insights into the game, as well as how to lead and inspire men. I can recall the rosy-faced kid jumping out of his skin when dressed in Black. One of his first moves was to jump across the ruck face. Wow. Not to be encouraged when rucking but was still utilized by the forwards of old, though McCaw has evolved along with the game.
He has done show by playing on the edge. Richie McCaw was the player seen burrowing in and stealing ball in 2002/2003 – it is one of his key functions as a loose forward, but he excelled at close quarter encounters and does amazingly well at it even today. His ability to be the first at the ruck is legendary but a good point is that he is not just a truck that ‘ploughs along’. He has scored some absolutely brilliant tries, and he has brought a smile to my face on many, many occasions.
The man
For such an accomplished sportsman, he has stayed a humble guy in all this time and still has a hard working ethic that signifies everything positive about the ‘Good Kiwi Bloke’. Modest to a fault, his time in the spotlight of International Rugby has not changed him – he is still the same person from good Mainland stock. Growing up in rural Kurow, in South Canterbury, young Richie would have enjoyed the wide open spaces of the Hakataramea Valley, passing and kicking around a ball like all the kids.
From that early love of the game, today he is a respected figure nationwide for his deeds on the field but also his character, with numerous endorsements and a public image. Built on humility throughout, besides the odd TV commercial and Small Blacks TV spots, he likes to get away from the bright lights, loves flying and will likely go far in the business-world post rugby – that is because he seemed to be so dedicated and so committed to the game, his attributes are recognisable. A “rugbyunited” attitude if you will.
McCaw has played the game at such standards that few will ever hope to match, but he had always done that with personal pride in his sportsmanship. Not one to say anything bad about the opposition, he does not scream or hope to intimidate – but he won’t take a backward step either. He believes he is in a position to influence others and to inspire them to emulate him. Just ask Matt Todd or Sam Cane (the heir apparent to McCaw’s throne at international level) who they grew up watching and admiring.
Skills that we all admire Richie for are that he always bounces back on his feet, makes multiple tackles, is generally the next guy up in support while still blowing over tackles. His forward skills appear flawless, yet he is still developing and redefining his core tasks even at this late stage; constantly staying one step ahead of his rivals. Those little things that not noticeable. The tasks that are the basic foundations of team play. Not indistinguishable though, his regular and special displays are very noticeable. I’ve noticed him for over 15 NZ Rugby seasons and still hope to until he calls time on his top-level participation.
The leader
We cannot view his career as a whole without thinking back on his difficulties as a player as well [concussion and the constant challengers to his starting spot] and to the dark days of being All Blacks captain. Lose, and you are vilified for your choices. Win and you are the darling of the sports news. For him, a low-light must have been after the 2007 World Cup, when his side were dealt a brutal sucker punch in the quarter-finals by a resurgent French side. That All Blacks group and his own ability were immediately put under the public spotlight; up for dissection and debate.
In the words of Richie himself “as a group we had to pick ourselves up, and with Ted and Shag, we rebuilt from that experience.” They did grow as a team, refining the skills of those who stayed after 2008 and bringing in the next generation to bring a different feel, furthermore they used alternative management skills, all to ensure that by the next World Cup, they were better prepared. That progression has been enjoyable to note. How he has grown into the role and commanded the respect that he is due.
Part of the management team itself, not just the senior players management group, he has become a key decision maker in the organisation of both Crusaders and All Black rugby. He has always had natural leadership skills and charisma, and has educated himself to improve on-field and off it too. A constant innovator in the practice of being a professional sportsman, he has viewed many other sports as well gaining a wealth of knowledge that he and All Black coaches have engrained into the national rugby system.
The All Blacks environment has developed over his career, from “Rugby, Racing and Beer” to becoming something of an industry leader that young sportsman can direct their energies towards. In building a culture (the fashionable word at the moment) of winning practicing and playing to incredibly high standards, this side now holds a consistency in winning that brought success during multiple Tri-Nations campaigns, Grand Slam tours and the impressive 2005 Lions tour results.
Teams led by McCaw also seemed to improve more when under intense ‘scoreboard pressure’. When they are under the pump, they gel together and keep their structure better. He has been a part of a swing towards ‘player empowerment’ that is a key component in the success of The All-Blacks during his captaincy. Sides that he leads simply achieve their team goals; they no longer rely on individuals to get them out of trouble.
He was part of a group led by Sir Graham Henry that improved the team’s ability to both absorb and create pressure on the opposition. Being proactive in applying pressure rather than waiting for it to be used against his side is a commendable strength that he developed. That group dynamic had to be driven by player-responsibility as much as by the coaching staff. “Better people making better All Blacks” was their mantra, and in McCaw’s relaxed explanation, he told SkySport that “it was up to us, the players to change it. We all brought into it, and that’s the key.”
The fact his New Zealand 2013 side went through an entire professional rugby season unbeaten is still mind-blowing! A standout feat and when they compare sides, you will be hard to not include them in the same league as comparable All Black sides like 1925, 1956 and 1987. That feat was a record 14 wins, gathered as a result of a leadership group reacting and learning, in planning to win and in the players all working towards a singular goal. I could celebrate just that season alone, or the unbeaten Crusaders Super Rugby side of 2002, and it would be a great reflection on McCaw’s input into the sport. That 2002 team brought 11 round wins, a semi-final and a final victory to make “the perfect season”. If you looked at those two examples alone, then his talent, his leadership and massive team influence would stand unequalled.
Waiting on a friend
While in the end, Richie will have to make the final decision of when to ‘call time’ on his competitive playing days himself, that is not to say that he cannot still be deeply involved in a game that he has been playing since before he school days. Some mention his name in rugby coaching circles, but I don’t see that. I see McCaw becoming an ambassador in the manner of Jonah Lomu (his generation’s phenomenon of NZ rugby) Taking the game to the world and celebrating its future, similar to Jonny Wilkinson’s work in England, David Campese’s efforts in Australia and Waisale Serevi [Fijian and sevens rugby hero] working in the United States.
Their names carry a hallowed status, founded in their achievements of course. For the enjoyment that they brought for fans of the game then, but also in the reach that ex-players today can utilise. Because like Jordan, Norman and Gretzky they have recognition for their on-field accomplishments and for the mark they have left on their sport. He could help grow the game, in both Men’s and Women’s sport.
But now, we will have to be patient. Be cognisant of his choice of timing and his intentions, as, in the structure he actually helped to build upon, no one who has ever worn The All Black jersey has ever been irreplaceable. It will be a sad day for rugby when it does happen. One we have to accept is coming all too soon. Though, mind you, Richie is still a young man and Brad Thorn only just retired at 40… a possibility then?
Who is to say, he might play club rugby in 2016 and still have the internal fire to carry-on, but I know that come October 31st 2015 I will sit in front of a television screen like so many around the world, ready to see my friend (figuratively speaking) run out for a Rugby World Cup final at Twickerham. Maybe that sounds a bit ambitious; not seeing any All Black sides this year or even knowing the side – it is announced Sunday. But I can rely on McCaw and the culture he has created trying like hell to win and defend the title, and assuming he’s healthy he’ll doubtless captain the side once more when Steve Hansen announces the team.
In the (extremely) unlikely scenario that he is sitting in support, then I would respect that call on form; again, many have challenged him over the years, but he may never have faced a tougher, more gifted opponent than Cane, who has been a rock for a Chiefs side ravaged by injury. Any professional side that includes Richie McCaw will likely prosper, because as a player he remains outstanding. Too many superlatives to choose from. He has mine now, he has many and he will have many more peoples respect when he does make that decision. We will look at him as a man, as a dynamic loose forward and as a leader of men that if they do return without the Cup, we will still offer to shake all their hands and still admire McCaw’s contribution no matter his impending decision.
So, the only person who knows how far he can go on is Richie himself. I hope it is after October 2015, but I don’t mind ‘Waiting on a Friend’. After all the blood, sweat and tears he has left on his field of dreams, he deserves the time to choose his own final moment. It is his call. Cheers Richie, and thanks for allowing us to witness such a Super career.
