A World Cup miscellany compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY
Stats don't lie: McCaw reigns supreme
THERE WAS a growing wave of opinion that Richie McCaw (right) was about to be dethroned by David Pocock as the games pre-eminent number seven last Sunday. Instead, there is a growing wave of opinion that his was the most complete individual performance by a number seven in a World Cup match.
Ever.
The match statistics add further weight to this. For being in the first three arrivals at the breakdown, McCaw was only shaded by Owen Franks (40 occasions) and Brad Thorn (35 occasions). He numbered 30.
Amazingly, he was also the leading All Black ball carrier (11), along with Keven Mealamu, and he topped the tackle count with 16 and three assists.
Pocock was a close second on nine carries and 15 tackles. McCaw missed three tackles, Pocock missed none (Thierry Dusautoir made 19 tackles against Wales and missed none).
But perhaps the most iconic moment of the whole tournament was when Pocock burrowed into a New Zealand ruck, stealing the ball, only for a marauding McCaw (right) to sprint into shot, grab hold of poor little Will Genia and steal it back.
WHERE EACGLES DARE
THE FRENCH daily sports paper L’Equipe has posted a quirky interview with McCaw on their website.
What animal would you like to be, Richie?"I always loved to fly so I always thought being an eagle would be pretty cool. Top of the food chain and you can see things that are pretty cool. Predator."
Woman he most admires?Kate Sheppard – the most prominent member of New Zealand's suffrage movement in the 1890s.
If McCaw wasn't a rugby player what would he be doing?"Before I became a rugby player I was going to end up being a farmer. That's something I would have enjoyed; just being on the land. I grew up as a country boy."
JOUBERT THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE
CRAIG JOUBERT (33), right, will referee Sunday’s World Cup final, with Alain Rolland acting as his assistant. Wayne Barnes takes charge of Friday’s bronze medal game between Wales and Australia (the Englishman was never likely to get the final after incensing the Kiwi public with his interpretations of a few key incidents in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final defeat to France).
As regards Rolland’s handling of the Sam Warburton incident, the IRB referee’s chief Paddy O’Brien stated: “Alain Rolland’s decision to issue a red card was absolutely correct in law and in keeping with the clear instructions that match officials have received in recent years regarding dangerous tackling.”
Limerick’s George Clancy is a touch judge on Friday night.
Marc moans: Sound familiar?
THANKS AGAIN to L’Equipe for this latest Marc Lievremont piece. Since winning the Grand Slam in 2010, France have been beaten in highly-embarrassing circumstances on five occasions. Here is a sample of his reaction to each loss.
June 12th, 2010 – South Africa 42, France 17
“We felt like they were playing cat and mouse with us.”
June 26th, 2010 – Argentina 41, France 13
“It is desolation, a field of ruins . Down as low and be so ridiculous, it surpasses all. It’s a nightmare. The investment was close to nil.
“I saw things unacceptable, passive behaviour. I am devastated, I am ashamed. I will spend five months in a disgusting and dirty summer.”
November 27th, 2010 – Australia 59, France 16
“It is beyond my power to explain the inexplicable.”
March 12th, 2011 – Italy 22, France 21
“The players are lacking in courage. They are good guys, but cursed with what is obviously cowardice. They are not even capable of admitting their own mistakes. I am angry. The players lack courage. I feel compelled to make an example and get out of the comfort which I have installed.”
October 1st, 2011 – Tonga 19, France 14
“I thought I had been around in terms of shame but this was extremely violent.”
