We here at Last Word on Sport are always on the look out for talented and passionate writers to join the ranks of the Last Word Army. We are thrilled to welcome to the ranks of the rugby team Emma Masson-Oakden, a proud fan of the Canterbury Crusaders, and Rugby Canada. Glad to have you on board!
For years now, the name Richie McCaw has been synonymous with the Crusaders number 7 jersey. But it seems that now there is a serious challenger for the coveted openside flank position, and that challenge comes in the form of 25-year-old Matt Todd.
The Great McCaw Versus Todd Debate
It is said that competition is healthy, but that probably isn’t going to mean a thing to McCaw’s loyalest supporters (which let’s face it, consist of about 99% of the Crusaders fan). When McCaw is threatened in any form, his fans staunchly support their man, often that support is very vocal, leaving no doubt about where they stand on the matter at hand. Think about Quade Cooper. Years later he is still getting booed by fans. Crusaders fans are one-eyed and proud of it – I should know – I am as one-eyed as they come, but maybe it is time that the fine people of Canterbury accept that McCaw won’t be around forever.
There was on outcry on social media (particularly Twitter) when an article came out, stating that McCaw will have to fight for the number 7 jersey this year. Various tweets suggested that Crusaders coach, Todd Blackadder, had ‘lost it’ and that it was ‘time for him to go’, while tweets in support of Todd were few and far between.
I understand that the Crusaders love McCaw. Hell, the NATION loves and admires the man, but each passing year is bringing that horrible, unfathomable day closer. The day that McCaw retires.
It is with that in mind that I happen to think the competition between Todd and McCaw is a good thing. Scratch that. I actually think it is a great thing, and not just for the Crusaders.
McCaw is the best number 7 in the world, so who better for Todd to work with and learn from? If McCaw and Todd are treated as equals, both deserving of the number 7 jersey, they are going to work harder than ever to stake their claim on the jersey. The competition between the two can only improve Todd’s game, and when it comes time for McCaw to hang up his boots, Todd is going to be more than able to take over where he left off. There will be no transitional form slump, there will be no trying to find a suitable replacement, it will be business as usual for the red and blacks.
Often when injury strikes, the replacement player is good, but not quite as good as the injured first pick. With McCaw and Todd, this won’t be the case. If either McCaw or Todd get injured there is a worthy replacement waiting in the wings (in the flanks?) to take over. The usual panic which often ensues when a player gets injured will be non-existant, and fans and players alike will be able to get on with enjoying the game. If the duo share the jersey, much like Willi Heinz and Andy Ellis did for the Crusaders (and Canterbury) in 2013, it may lessen the chance of injury to both players. Both will be more rested and recover faster, and because of that, they may recover from any injuries easier than if they had both been run ragged.
The McCaw/Todd contest isn’t only going to be beneficial for the Crusaders, it is also going to be good for the All Blacks. With Todd lifting his game to compete with McCaw, there will be even more competition for the All Blacks number 7 jersey. Add Sam Cane into that picture and the All Blacks are going to go from strength to strength as far as openside flanker talent goes. Perhaps Cane will no longer be the obvious successor to McCaw. Three talented openside flankers, some teams would be very jealous of finding themselves in that predicament.
So what does (coach) Toddy have to say of the battle for the number 7? In the article that caused such unrest on social media he said “Matt Todd was one of our better performers last year. I don’t want guys sitting on the bench who should be out there starting. For these guys it’s about their performances on the track” (The Press, Jan 2014).
It is clear that the great McCaw v Todd debate is going to be one that won’t go away quickly. I only hope that supporters will accept this new era and stand by McCaw and Todd, as they try to bring home that glorious trophy of Super Rugby supremacy, come August 2nd.
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Main Photo Credit: Nick Thompson via Flickr
