Ritchie still the best...

[Te Kaha]

Seems I'm not the only person who thinks the role of the No 7 is changing...

Granted its only Taine Randell... but it seems that line of thought is growing.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5619690/Richie-McCaw-is-still-worlds-best
Richie McCaw is still world's best



TAINE RANDELL OPINION: There has been a lot of recent speculation and some strong comments made about Richie McCaw's form.
The criticism seems related to the fact that he was injured for a long period in the Super Rugby season and that when he came back he didn't immediately recapture the form we all know him for.
As a result, there's been no shortage of people suggesting father time has caught up with one of our greats.
I can't agree.
When you judge the best No 7s in international rugby, it all comes down to what your criteria is - what you're looking at.
David Pocock and Heinrich Brussow may be catching the eye because they grab a couple of turnovers per game and people think that's fantastic play. They then compare that to McCaw who may only be getting one - and not in an eye-catching fashion as we've come to expect from him.
But that's a superficial viewpoint. You need to look at the way the game has changed. The game for a No 7 isn't so much about just getting those turnovers any more; it's also about making a number of tackles, proving yourself a destructive tackler and acting as a good ball carrier.
McCaw's game has developed to a point where his impact is not so much about getting in there and forcing those turnovers.
Given the rule changes which now favour the team with the ball, it's a change that was inevitable.
Against Tonga, McCaw made the most tackles among the All Blacks. If you compare that to the other No 7s at the World Cup, while also taking into account how the role of an openside flanker has evolved, I still think he's the No 1 in the world.
Pocock and Brussow's ball carrying is non-existent compared to McCaw's.
So ask me to rank the top openside flankers at the World Cup in order and I'd have McCaw at No 1, David Pocock as the second best, then Brussow, followed by Wales' Sam Warburton then Thierry Dusautoir from France.
Pocock is a great player and may be the second best but he's still got a way to go with his ball carrying.
Brussow is the typical South African openside and is probably the best at that pilfering role.
He is short, stocky and powerful and is also well complemented in that he has some big South African loose forwards to play alongside.
Warburton is the up-and-comer. He is a young man who's still to mature physically, but he has the makings of a very good No 7 because he has a good combination of all of the requirements.

​

Dusautoir is more a tackler than a pilferer and has a very high work-rate.
The All Blacks team to play Japan on Friday is named this morning and there has been debate as to whether the coaches should have McCaw and Mils Muliaina play their 100th tests at the same time. McCaw is on 99 and Muliaina is at 98.
There should be no sentimentality towards them playing their 100th test together. That counts for zero at a World Cup.
The All Blacks have got to win this tournament and if the selectors think that Israel Dagg is the best fullback then they should keep picking him.
I'd love to see Mils get to 100 but unfortunately milestones like that can't be considered at a World Cup.
* Taine Randell was captain of the 1999 All Blacks' World Cup squad

 

[Parra]

Makes him sound like a great 8

 

[Thomas]

Gee, I swear I saw Pocock hit the ball up a few times on the weekend. Also play as a link man between Genia and Cooper a few times.

As Parra says...sounds like Richie is playing as a second number 8. Well done to him.

 

[Te Kaha]

Nope... makes him sound like a no 7.. its not Ritchies fault Pocock isnt keeping up... the game has changed and the no 7s role has changed to keep up..

 

[Thomas]

The position has changed because Richie is playing differently.

Sounds legit.

 

[Te Kaha]

The position has changed because Richie is playing differently.

Sounds legit.

Another Australian who has things backward.. no surprise there... The rules changed... the No. 7s role changed.. Ritchie changed.. Pocock hasnt.. yet.. he had better hurry if he doesnt want to get left behind..

 

[Thomas]

Okay then.

Can you draft up the memo and I'll send it to Pocock.

It should read something like this:

"Dear David.

The rules at the ruck have changed. Richie has apparently changed the way he plays. You better do this too. You may get left behind or something.

Cheers

PS: Sweet biceps, bro."

Thanks.

 

[Te Kaha]

Okay then.

Can you draft up the memo and I'll send it to Pocock.

It should read something like this:

"Dear David.

The rules at the ruck have changed. Richie has apparently changed the way he plays. You better do this too. You may get left behind or something.

Cheers

PS: Sweet biceps, bro."

Thanks.

Take out "apparently" and that should do it... up to you to leave in the part about his biceps... you better hurry tho.. otherwise the wannabies wont even make it out of the qtrs let alone the semi against england..

 

[ThirdEye]

Yeah, Ritchie's still the best but does anyone actually believe that Dan carter is really injured? 'Back injury', my arse. I mean, what do the coaches think we are - stupid?

 

[Te Kaha]

Yeah, Ritchie's still the best but does anyone actually believe that Dan carter is really injured? 'Back injury', my arse. I mean, what do the coaches think we are - stupid?

Given your man love for SBW... could be...

 

[ThirdEye]

Given your man love for SBW... could be...

:x

 

[Parra]

Interesting article that touches on some of the issues re: role of 7


Whistleblowers have it right when it comes to offside play

Paul Cully

September 15, 2011 - 10:08AM




It's been a steep road back to the credibility for the IRB after the well-intentioned but horribly botched ELVs, but there is every indication after the early rounds that those in charge of running the game deserve a cautious pat on the back.
The rugby has been, in large, very promising with the blight of World Cups past - the sporting mismatch - blissfully absent. This might change as injuries bite but for now the mood is good.
In no small part has this been down to the refereeing and the 'big five' areas identified by referees boss Paddy O'Brien - the breakdown, scrum, offside, maul and foul play - as needing urgent attention.

In particular, the stricter application of the offside line has had a hugely positive impact, because it rewards good technique on both defence and attack. It's not always wise to listen to Phil Kearns, but his rant against the All Blacks unpunished offside play in Brisbane had merit.
Now, tough tight-five units with low body positions have been able to make excellent metres up the guts because defenders are not being allowed to cut off their space around the fringes. It is early days but the pick-and-drive has the potential to be a defining weapon in this tournament, especially when complemented by a fast halfback who can use the quick ball. From a purely conditioning point of view, the short, sharp bursts of repeat effort required to stop the tactic empties the lungs, deadens the legs and scrambles the brain.
But it's now all bad news for the defending team - the introduction of the true offside line has elevated the importance of a scavenging No.7 to an even higher plane. It is no coincidence that David Pocock of Australia and Sam Warburton of Wales have particularly caught the eye. Their strength and decision-making about when to contest and and when to stand off lit up the Italy and South Africa games. A burrowing front-rower that gets ahead of his support risks isolation and a turnover with the likes of Pocock, Warburton, Richie McCaw and Heinrich Brussow around - referees are still rewarding the pilferers who show outstanding execution. Players such as Andrew Hore and Bismarck du Plessis, both mighty over the ball, have also seen their values rise. To this end the Wallabies can kick themselves again that Benn Robinson is a spectator.
These improvements to the spectacle, however, do not come easy - another reason to doff our caps to the whistleblowers, however unfashionable and against our natural instincts that it might be.
For rugby coaches are a bit like businessmen who talk up the values free markets. Just as these City types espouse the value of competition while in reality encouraging a regulator to kneecap their rivals, coaches are happy to have the laws applied evenly as long the ref looks only at the opposition. Accordingly, the officials have been forced to don the policeman's hat at the offside line, not an easy job when the suspects are 115kg and the rates of recidivism are high. But long may it continue - the game is moving towards the balance between attack and defence that the fans crave. That referees have attracted grumbles from opposing coaches in equal measure also shows they are on the right track.
(Yes, there was the James Hook incident, but it was a tricky call and fair-minded Welsh will acknowledge they were given a chance to win the game when Wayne Barnes penalised Francois Hougaard for holding on when it could easily be argued that George North had not released him in the tackle).
Another plus is that the laws are being implemented in such a way that diversity is still possible. Gone are the days when teams were being coached to relentlessly launch the up-and-under to just outside the opposition 22, harass the catcher and then flood the contact zone is search of a cheap penalty.
As much can be told by the composition of the Australian and Irish back rows for their game on Saturday. Ireland have picked three large, athletic ball-runners in the back row - Stephen Ferris, Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip - to run in the midfield and smash into the No.10 channel, while the Wallabies have Pocock to try and turn it into a ground war. To borrow a phrase from boxing, a clash of styles will always make the best fights.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/r...ffside-play-20110915-1kafc.html#ixzz1Xyypt8TJ
​

 

[Thomas]

A very good article. I'm looking forward to the game against Ireland. If we can get through that game with no injuries and a win, I'll be a happy man.

 

[ThirdEye]

It's been a steep road back to the credibility for the IRB after the well-intentioned but horribly botched ELVs, but there is every indication after the early rounds that those in charge of running the game deserve a cautious pat on the back.

Bullshit. The games have been exciting and entertaining in spite of ambiguous rules and fickle refs. It is the players who make the game good, not the officials. I daresay you could find a similar article saying similar things at a comparable stage in any of the last 3 or 4 world cups.

 

[Parra]

Bullshit. The games have been exciting and entertaining in spite of ambiguous rules and fickle refs. It is the players who make the game good, not the officials. I daresay you could find a similar article saying similar things at a comparable stage in any of the last 3 or 4 world cups.

Well dare enough to find them mouth. You make a lot of noise but do not back it up. Here is your chance. Find those articles for the last 3 or 4 world cups.

 

[ThirdEye]

Well dare enough to find them mouth. You make a lot of noise but do not back it up. Here is your chance. Find those articles for the last 3 or 4 world cups.

You have got to be kidding. I've got better things to do with my time than provide evidence for the patently obvious.

 

[Parra]

You just made it up.

 

[Silent But Deadly]

Gee, I swear I saw Pocock hit the ball up a few times on the weekend. Also play as a link man between Genia and Cooper a few times.

As Parra says...sounds like Richie is playing as a second number 8. Well done to him.

Yeah I too saw David 'the link' Pocock be more than just a 'fetcher' against Italy.

 

[kiwiaus]

Richie McCaw is a ledgend. Even playing injured he is better than most. He has taken out every award in world rugby, some more than once.
One day we will hear the words "Sir Richard McCaw".

 

[Silent But Deadly]

Does anyone know when Dan Carter is due back?