Richie McCaw

All Blacks Richie McCaw and Kieran Read say thanks to our 2 million Face...

2013-07-15T11:39:00.001+02:00

Rugby: Richie McCaw's back

2013-07-15T03:52:00.001+02:00

adidas Rugby | Richie McCaw talks about Pressure

2013-07-09T11:28:00.001+02:00

adidas Rugby | Richie McCaw talks about Pressure

2013-07-09T11:27:00.001+02:00

adidas Rugby | Richie McCaw talks about Challenges

2013-07-09T11:26:00.003+02:00

adidas Rugby | Richie McCaw on leadership

2013-07-09T11:26:00.001+02:00

What are the All Blacks on about?

2013-03-13T09:38:00.001+01:00

Rugby Herald: Blues vs Crusaders

2013-02-26T13:33:00.001+01:00

Richie McCaw - Weet-bix challenge

2013-02-22T14:41:00.001+01:00

Being friends with famous people

2013-02-17T16:04:00.002+01:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/columnists/hadyn-jones/8314126/Being-friends-with-famous-people
HAYDN JONES
17/02/2013

OPINION: Richie McCaw and I are pretty tight. Sure, it's been six years and when we met the other day he called me Hamish but, hey, that's nothing. When you are old friends, you let those minor mistakes slide.

I have actually spent a weekend with Richie McCaw. It was 2007 in Omarama in the middle of the South Island. Every day he went gliding for hours and hours and I waited on the ground with my camera crew drinking milkshakes.

I learned a few things that weekend.

The first is that Omarama has surprisingly good milk products considering the nearest cow is hundreds of kilometres away.

The second is that a glider can stay in the air for a really long time.

The third is never have a cooked breakfast before going in a helicopter. A helicopter is not a car; if you get motion sickness you can't open a window or pull over when you feel like having a spew. The pilot told me to take my shoe off and make full use of it. That's all you need to know about that.

Richie McCaw is pretty much as you see him on the telly. He's a genuine bloke, pretty relaxed and doesn't like a big fuss being made. While my camera crew and I stayed in Omarama's nicest hotel, he bunked down with his uncle in a caravan. Richie and I shared fish and chips one night on the bonnet of a car. It was great.

Richie's parents were there and they are the salt of the earth. I invited myself back to the McCaws' house in Canterbury last year and Mrs McCaw made scones. They were baked from premade scone mix but she told me that's what all the farmers' wives were doing these days. I wouldn't have known if she hadn't told me.

The McCaws are proud of their son, but also aware rugby isn't everything. Richie's mum hopes he gets right out of rugby when he's finished. I think he'll end up gliding and drinking milkshakes in Omarama.

In journalism you meet a few famous people. They are fleeting encounters you remember for a long time and they forget the moment you walk out the door. I had a massive man-crush on Ken Rutherford as a young man. He took me for a coffee, once. I was a sports reporter and he was selling his book. I could hardly say a word and definitely couldn't tell him I didn't like coffee.

I've also had my fair share of fame. My wife and I were once introduced over the PA to the crowd at halftime in a small-town ice hockey match in Canada. The locals were stunned we were honeymooning in Comox, population 2000. Look it up if you have a moment. It's like honeymooning in Huntly, but with a skifield.

I've also signed autographs for kids at primary schools. They thought I was Simon Dallow. I have quite a scribble so it will be many years till they figure it out.

Fame is funny.

We are a bit obsessed by it, but I think if you ever achieve it, it gets boring very quickly. I can attest to this; there's only so long you can be Simon Dallow before you start getting hand cramps from all the scribbling. I should really leave that job up to him.

- © Fairfax NZ News

TVC - You Are The Difference

2013-02-14T20:13:00.001+01:00

2013 Investec Super Rugby launch

2013-02-14T08:11:00.001+01:00

McCaw cheers school after tragedy

2013-02-07T11:42:00.002+01:00

Vidéo
http://tvnz.co.nz/seven-sharp/richie-mccaw-meets-survivors-climbing-tragedy-video-5334275

Article
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/8262467/McCaw-cheers-school-after-tragedy
KIRSTY MCMURRAY
05/02/2013

There were big smiles all round at Spotswood College yesterday as All Blacks captain Richie McCaw took time out of his holiday to visit the school.

Principal Mark Bowden said McCaw was there to talk to the school's senior students in the wake of last year's Paritutu tragedy.

In August last year Spotswood College students Stephen Kahukaka-Gedye and Felipe Melo, both 17, and their Taranaki Outdoor Pursuits and Education Centre instructor Bryce Jourdain, 42, drowned after being swept out to sea while climbing around Paritutu rock.

McCaw spoke to the families and friends of those lost before addressing the school's new set of leaders and senior class.

McCaw said while it was impossible to know what to say to the families, he was pleased to be able to offer what comfort and distraction he could.

"To be able to turn up and say hi and get a smile and a laugh and get their thoughts away from it for a while, I enjoy being able to do that."

He said the school had been through a tough few months and would no doubt still have more to come.

"I think just the fact that people take some time and show some support. There's people outside, they don't realise, whose thoughts are with them."

Mr Bowden said it was especially good to have McCaw visiting on the day the school's peer-support leaders for 2013 were heading off to a leadership training camp.

"We've got the number one sports leader in the country here and for him to share his thoughts and wisdom about leadership is absolutely fantastic."

Spotswood College head boy Tane Leong said it was inspiring to hear McCaw speak. "When he talks to us he's so genuine and he's just one of the people. It's great."

McCaw also presented the school with a cheque from Westpac for $1000.

Mr Bowden said the money, along with money donated by student councils from around the country would be put towards a Paritutu memorial.

The memorial will be revealed in a ceremony on December 8 this year, the anniversary of Stephen Kahukaka-Gedye's memorial service, he said.

Mr Bowden said he would be consulting with the whole school community about it.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is expected to complete its report into the Paritutu tragedy and decide if any charges are to be laid by Friday.

Pizza with All Blacks Captain Richie is top of Kiwi Wish List

2013-01-30T08:45:00.004+01:00

January 22nd, 2013

More than a quarter of Kiwis surveyed named rugby star Richie McCaw as the celebrity they would most like to have lunch with, followed by broadcaster Paul Henry and supermodel Rachel Hunter.

The Domino's Survey* about the lunchtime habits of New Zealanders found that nearly a third (34%) of workers will buy lunch as an occasional treat, with more than 3 out of ten (31%) willing to splurge and spend up to $20 when they do eat out.

Eating lunch el desko is not a popular option, with a third (35%) of workers admitting they can't wait to get away from their desks for a break come lunchtime, but close to the same number (36%) of Kiwis have worked through lunch during busy periods.

Almost half of respondents take 30 minutes for lunch before heading back to the grindstone, and around a fifth (20%) of workers will only take 15 minutes - the equivalent of a short break.

About one out of five (17%) of workers take a full hour whenever they can and 13% will try to drag out lunchtimes as long as possible.

When buying lunch, workers state that they prefer pizza and sushi, with most respondents saying they'd like to share their favourite slice with rugby star Richie McCaw.

More than half (56%) said they would choose pizza, followed by sushi at 33% and last night's leftovers nearly a quarter (24%). The least popular lunch options are a hot baguette, followed by a healthy salad.

Eight percent of those surveyed admitted to stealing their workmates lunch saying that if it was in the communal fridge it was fair game. A further quarter (25%) say the only thing holding them back is that none of their colleagues ever bring anything worth stealing!

Two thirds (66%) of workers think that a person's lunch is sacred and should be treated as such.

The celebrity most respondents would choose to share a pizza with was Richie McCaw (32%) this was followed by Paul Henry (23%) and Rachel Hunter (22%).

To read the end of the article, please check : http://kerikerirugby.com/2013/pizza-with-all-blacks-captain-richie-is-top-of-kiwi-wish-list/

Same here : http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10860709

Review : "The Open Side"

2013-01-30T08:43:00.002+01:00

http://www.farmingshow.com/opinion/review-richie-mccaw-open-side

By: Mark Wilson | Tuesday, January 29, 2013

As tradition states each Christmas I receive a biography tailored for a Kiwi male. Its subject is generally a national or international sporting icon, tradition also dictates that I read this in one day, typically Boxing Day, as I laze around the holiday house in Manapouri. This is a nice addition to the usual fare of sock, undies, petrol vouchers, a few more inches around the waist and strands of grey hair.

I’ve had some real beauts in the past: Tim Shadbolt’s book was humourous, interesting, concerning and insightful all in one. Jeff Wilson’s a classic tale of a Southland Childhood I could relate to without any of the extraordinary sporting talents of he displayed; Zinny was a very good read… I could go on, my shelves at the old family home at Otatara are full of legendary reads books from Sean Fitzpatrick, Jonah Lomu, Ian Jones, JK, Lance ‘EPO’ Armstrong, just to name a few.

Usually, I am riveted to these well-crafted life tales from some of society’s heroes. However 2012 Christmas tree read was a little different. This is hard for me to say as I feel a little un-Kiwi even thinking it, but Richie McCaws biography The Openside was one I just couldn’t get into at all.

It started solidly, but I got bogged down in the chapters about the Crusaders, what else can you really say about this team we don’t already know, win win win, while stockpiling some most of New Zealand’s rugby talent and packing out national teams en route to a full trophy cabinet etc.

They have become the Auckland of the 80’s and 90’s with their excessive success breading disdain among some fans.

Personally, being a diehard Stags fan, I have never been a fan of the red and blacks in any level of the game and these chapters just lost me. I had to put the book down and have a week off to recover.

The story of the World Cup was interesting, but apart from a few more insights into the foot issue it didn’t really delve into anything I didn’t already know, only serving to reinforce the iron will of McCaw to represent his country and the desire of the All Blacks to break one of New Zealand’s most troublesome sporting hoodoo’s.

It really illustrates Richie’s legendary attitude to hard work, but was anyone ever in doubt of McCaw’s commitment to a cause and his almost un-human work ethic and focus?

The story about his notebook and the scrap of paper with his goals tucked up in his cupboard hidden from those who might judge and laugh as his heady aspirations was great fodder for the next generation of aspiring All Blacks and this along with the material on some of his early days as a club and school player was fresh news to me and perhaps the most interesting part of the book.

But I’m no longer an aspiring All Black, and those dreams along with being the ruler of the world and finding a wish granting leprechaun at the end of a rainbow evaporated well prior to puberty due to a lack of size and skill along a body prone to more breakdowns than a Twin Turbo Subaru Legacy, alas I had little use for this motivational segment.

I did go back and finish the book and although I feel I know a little more about one of New Zealand’s all time rugby gods, I could have hit up Wikipedia for most of it.

There was no scandal, no entertaining tales of behind the scenes touring antics, no insight bar a few lines into the women in his life. Knowing Nicola Grieg I was interested to see what he thought of her Twitter debacle a few years back when they were close.

I got from some of my prior Christmas reads a real appreciation of the environment these special people in our sporting world operate in, not for its ability to build winners but for the memories and camaraderie garnished by those who operated within it. With McCaw, there was none of this the book was a very clean and clear chronological look at his rugby career and how it pertained mainly to him, it was for lack of a better description boring and predictable.

Maybe this is a bit harsh or perhaps this is a side effect of greatness, Richie McCaw has given so much of his life to playing sport for his country that we know him so well already, maybe he just doesn’t feel like baring his deepest secrets in public, or maybe Richie’s life has been so filled up with Rugby there actually isn’t much else to report.

Whatever the reason, Richie McCaw’s book falls well short of his ability as a Rugby Player and left me hoping that he is far more existing in person outside of Rugby than the book would indicate.

Maybe like Jeff and Jonah, we will be lucky enough to get a second book where Richie can let his hair down a bit more.

Richie McCaw wants to see Zac Guildford 'sorted'

2013-01-30T08:42:00.002+01:00

http://www.3news.co.nz/Richie-McCaw-wants-to-see-Zac-Guildford-sorted/tabid/317/articleID/284856/Default.aspx VIDEO

http://www.3news.co.nz/Richie-McCaw-wants-to-see-Zac-Guildford-sorted/tabid/415/articleID/284856/Default.aspx ARTICLE

Tue, 29 Jan 2013

By Hamish McKay

Rugby Editor

All Black captain Richie McCaw is about to head off on a three-month holiday to the United States, but not before wishing Crusaders teammate Zac Guildford all the best in his battle with alcohol.

McCaw is still busy off the field, but he's ready for his first true break in more than a decade.

While the All Black skipper took time out with seven-year-old competition winner Sam Denize, it's his young teammate Guildford whom McCaw is hoping rises to the challenge he faces in his battle with the bottle.

“You know from a friend, a teammate's perspective, you want to see the guy get himself sorted.”

But McCaw agrees only Guildford can make the changes he needs too if the pacy winger is to make it over the line and avoid any further alcohol-fuelled incidents.

“But he's going to have to make sure he wants to do that and by the sound of things he's acknowledged that,” McCaw says. “And I certainly hope he gets things sorted because I want to see him back playing one day. But obviously he needs to change a few things first.”

Like Guildford, but for very different reasons, when McCaw will next lace up his boots is undecided. He may not see any action for the Crusaders with the Rugby Championship in August his main aim.

“Whether it’s Super Rugby or whether its club rugby leading up to that, I need to be back training in May and give myself a couple of months to get ready, and as we get closer work out the best way to do that.”

McCaw's happy to have signed up to a sabbatical, but he's not sure how he'll feel when Super Rugby starts next month.

“I think that's where it will feel a bit weird when you would normally be running out having to watch, so I’m aiming to head overseas for a while. So I might not see too much but it will be a bit bizarre.”

It might be bizarre, but ultimately beneficial with defending the World Cup in 2015 remaining the ultimate goal.

McCaw soars over home turf

2013-01-09T15:22:00.000+01:00

http://www.oamarumail.co.nz/news/mccaw-soars-over-home-turf/1707692/

James Ford

7th Jan 2013

The Multi-Class National Gliding Championships in Omarama took off on Thursday and welcomed back a special club member.

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw made time for his other love away from rugby, taking to the skies in a club craft.

Flying is in McCaw's DNA - his grandfather was a fighter pilot in World War II and his father, Don, is also a keen glider.

McCaw senior spent the afternoon in a tow-plane taking other pilots up while his famous son soared over the valleys, eventually gently touching down in the late afternoon.

The 32-year-old grew up 50km from Omarama at the family farm in the Hakataramea Valley and said he was pleased to be back and is intent on quenching his thirst for gliding over the coming weeks.

"I'm trying to get my fix of gliding time in January.

"It's always really nice to come back here for a few weeks," he said.

"It's a really nice community. Our family farm is close by so I look forward to coming back."

"My dad loves gliding and I've got a couple of cousins here too so it's been a lot of fun. Oamaru was the closest town (growing up) and it's a great area."

The Crusaders star hasn't entered his own personal glider in the competition but is sharing a club craft with four others in team Omarama.

Contest director Ralph Henderson said it was good to have the World Cup winner back.

"He's a good bloke and it's great to have him around.

"The family offer a lot.

"When Richie's here he's a glider pilot and a club member and he enjoys it like everybody else."

All 30 competitors made it around the course on Thursday but some tricky weather forced five competitors to land early on Friday, three in Wanaka and Pukaki, while two others turned back to Omarama prematurely.

The contest was rained off on Saturday but resumed yesterday.

Richie McCaw Interviews

2013-01-09T15:17:00.001+01:00

First video is available on YouTube

http://www.therugbysite.com/blog_posts/299-richie-mccaw-interview-comparing-the-good-with-the-bad-by-richie-mccaw

These 4 are only available on the rugbysite.com

http://www.therugbysite.com/videos/8-richie-mccaw-set-piece-running-lines-defence-breakdown

http://www.therugbysite.com/videos/16-richie-mccaw-tackle-techniques-defence-breakdown

http://www.therugbysite.com/videos/9-richie-mccaw-the-breakdown-on-attack-attack-breakdown

http://www.therugbysite.com/videos/10-richie-mccaw-the-breakdown-on-defence-defence-breakdown

January 1st, 2013

2013-01-01T17:51:00.001+01:00

(I am so sorry for the delay in posting articles... Let's forget the end of the 2012 season ; see you very soon for the one! Best wishes / Bonne année, Mary*L)

Smith gets the nod as Hansen reveals 'A' team

2012-11-22T19:59:00.000+01:00

LIAM NAPIER IN CARDIFF 22/11/2012
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7984855/Smith-gets-the-nod-as-Hansen-reveals-A-team

Aaron Smith has shaken off a knee injury to hold off Piri Weepu's push for the No 9 jersey as the All Blacks "A" team is restored for this weekend's test against Wales.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen didn't hesitate when asked today which position caused him the most deliberation this week.
His response was immediate, and revealing.
"Halfback," Hansen said in Cardiff.
"Piri Weepu's performance is the one we've been searching for. His performance against Scotland was outstanding. Not only did we see his experience but we saw him getting to the breakdown and clearing the ball the way we'd like him to."
After two below-par outings against the Wallabies and Italy, where his forwards failed to provide enough protection, Smith is officially on notice from his veteran rival, who could play a pivotal role from the bench at Millennium Stadium on Sunday (NZT).
"He may have got caught up in the test against Australia with how things have been going so well for him," Hansen said, assessing the reasons for Smith's dip in form.
"His preparation probably wasn't as complete as he would like.
"I thought he played reasonably well against Italy. It wasn't his fault that we didn't do the job as ball carries and at the cleanout. He got left carrying the baby so to speak, because other people didn't do their jobs.
"He was still sharp with his passing when he did get the protection he needed."
While fullback Israel Dagg returns from injury, Keven Mealamu has been given time to rest his injured calf, meaning Andrew Hore starts at hooker and Dane Coles gets another chance to impress later in the match.
Beauden Barrett (ribs), Adam Thomson (farcical IRB suspension appeal) and Tamati Ellison (toe) were also unavailable for selection.
"With his history of calf injuries we felt we would be better off being cautious and giving it another week rather than pushing him," Hansen said of Mealamu.
"It's also another opportunity to grow Dane Coles who we've been very happy with on the tour. For the long-term [future] we need Coles to get as much experience as possible."
There are three changes from the last time Hansen fielded his strongest line-up - that being the draw in Brisbane - and nine to last week's starting side in Rome. As expected, Richie McCaw regains the captaincy from Kieran Read after having a weeks rest

After a two week trial, Hansen has confirmed Julian Savea, with 10 tries from seven tests, is New Zealand's best left wing, Luke Romano is the preferred locking partner for Sam Whitelock, and Liam Messam remains the premier blindside flanker.
"Liam has really stepped up this year," Hansen said in explaining why the Chiefs co-captain got the nod.
"We saw something in Victor's game against Scotland which was much improved. He was free. He was a little more carefree and looked more comfortable against Scotland. If he does that we know he's a really big, gifted athlete."
Brodie Retallick isn't far off a start, but Hansen felt the Chiefs lock had endured a big season and singled out Romano's ball carrying as vital for the opening exchanges.
The only other talking point was prop Charlie Faumuina's inclusion on the bench, ahead of new Hurricanes recruit Ben Franks. Faumuina's ability with ball in hand gave him the edge.
All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Brodie Retallick, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith

All Blacks to pounce on Wales' self-doubt

2012-11-22T19:57:00.006+01:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7984224/All-Blacks-to-pounce-on-Wales-self-doubt
LIAM NAPIER IN CARDIFF
22/11/2012

Inflicting further self-doubt and exposing Wales' mental frailties could be a major trump card for the All Blacks this week.
On many occasions, as Warren Gatland explains, Wales have talked themselves out of winning - before a ball has been kicked.
Much like smothering grey clouds and persistent rain, belief is a sizeable question mark hanging over the Welsh training base in Cardiff. It's a problematic, inherent weakness of this team, one that needs to be rectified if they are to restore some pride at Millennium Stadium on Sunday (NZT).
"There are times in the past where Welsh teams have lost the games before they've taken the field," Gatland, the Welsh coach, admitted.
The former Waikato hooker saw it first-hand with much of this same group of men in the World Cup last year. Wales blew the chance to roll the-then defending world champions South Africa.
After leading 10-6 at half-time, the Red Dragons were left to rue a missed James Hook penalty and Rhys Priestland's pulled dropped goal from in-front of the posts.
And that wasn't the first time Wales suffered a one-point defeat they should have won.
In his 25th test and on debut as All Blacks captain, Richie McCaw recalls being under the pump in 2004 - out on his feet defending the line. Down by four points, Wales took the penalty, instead of going for the jugular, and lost 25-24 to extend their now 59-year, 24-game drought against the men in black.
In June this year there was ample evidence of the growing issue against their Southern Hemisphere rivals.
The Six Nations champions should have beaten the Wallabies twice on their three-test tour. There is a sense their subsequent inconsolable mindset remains a burden which contributed to shock losses to Argentina and Samoa in the past two weeks.
"It was pretty hard to take at the time, particularly the second loss," Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards said. "I know how much effort the players put in. Then a similar thing happened with four minutes to go in the third test."
After Gatland rejoined the Welsh this week, he spoke of how his young men had to learn to cope with criticism and mental pressure. He's had just six days to instil some form of self-belief.

"If you just try and compete and play with them [the All Blacks] you're going to come off second best. You got to be prepared to do things a little bit differently," Gatland said, hinting lessons had been learned. "We're going to hopefully throw something a little different at the All Blacks. We need to put them under some pressure. You've got to take a few risks."
The All Blacks are well aware Wales' collective confidence is shot after five successive defeats. Like Predators, they will prey on their opponent's weaknesses.
"If you can keep pressure on teams and really apply that from the start and keep it on then there could be doubts in some teams and whether they can stick with us," All Blacks No 8 Kieran Read explained. "That's what we're trying to achieve. Sometimes it takes longer than others.
"It's hard to know in terms of how strong they are [mentally] but it's something we pride ourselves on. We've got a great karma and leadership group that keeps the team really grounded and focused on what we need to achieve. That's been great for our side so far this year."
Meanwhile, All Black wings Hosea Gear and Julian Savea have been nominated, along with South Africa's Bryan Habana and France's Julien Malziew for IRB international try of the year.
Gear's bulldozing effort in the third test against Ireland this year is an early favourite, but Savea's second against Scotland in Edinburgh and Habana's individual chip and chase against the All Blacks in Dunedin provide strong competition.

All Blacks touch down for business end of tour

2012-11-22T19:56:00.001+01:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7968680/All-Blacks-touch-down-for-business-end-of-tour
TOBY ROBSON IN CARDIFF
19/11/2012

From Bulgari watches, classic cars and the Colosseum to the charms of Cardiff and Welsh rugby's latest crisis.
There is little doubt the All Blacks end of year tour has entered a new phase.
The squad flew out of Rome today with injury concerns over Beauden Barrett (ribs), Keven Mealamu (calf), Aaron Smith (knee) and Aaron Cruden (shoulder).
Barrett is the most pressing and be will have x-rays to ascertain the damage done during the first half of Sunday's 42-10 win over Italy.
But coach Steve Hansen is confident only utility Tamati Ellison will be unavailable for selection this week.
Wales' woeful run of five losses, the latest against Samoa, has raised questions over the status of the third tour match being the first of two "big tests" for the All Blacks, but the build up will definitely be a change of pace.
In Rome the All Blacks were treated like rugby royalty.
Midweek the players dined as guests at the home of Nicola Bulgari where they were given a look at the collection of the 350 classic cars in his basement.
Several players later took one of the cars for a spin during a sponsor's commitment.
Italy's economy might be a wreck with students marching around the Colosseum to protest against the lack of jobs this week, but there is enormous wealth in the luxury goods market.
Bulgari recently released a limited run of 250 All Blacks watches which retailed at around 12,000 Euros (approximately NZD$18,800) each.
They sold out so fast another 250 were quickly produced and the New Zealand Rugby Union's watch maker, they signed on as official partners for two-years back in March, made sure they milked the All Blacks visit for all it was worth.
The watches were advertised heavily in Rome's major papers on match day and there is little doubt the NZRU sees further potential to push their brand in Italy.
When the All Blacks played in Milan two years ago nearly 81,000 crammed into San Siro Stadium in the fashion capital.
But last time the All Blacks visited Rome, in 2004, they could only pull 27,000 at Stadio Flaminio.
Eight years on Stadio Olimpico's 80,000 seats sold out and the merchandisers around the complex could barely keep up.
Ma'a Nonu was stopped wherever he went and instantly recognised from the moment he arrived.
No wonder NZRU chief executive Steve Tew was in town meeting with representatives of a company recently acquired by Louis Vuitton.

And no wonder Hansen, captain Kieran Read and the other players talked up the test, arguably beyond its station, at the after-match.
That said it was a great occasion, if not a perfect All Blacks performance, and the home side produced a display their fans could be proud of before wilting in the final 15 minutes.
It gave Hansen a chance to see unproven players like Dane Coles, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Beauden Barrett under pressure in front of a hostile crowd.
All three passed with flying colours, while Aaron Cruden got valuable game time at pivot, but, like a number of others, looked short on recent match play.
Hansen expects everyone to be available for selection of what he's indicated will be his top 23.
Mealamu had "history" with his calf, so would be monitored, but Ben Smith's broken cheek bone was no longer an issue and Israel Dagg (bruised buttocks) was good to go and Smith and Cruden were unlikely to be an issue.
Meanwhile there is no movement on a possible IRB review of Adam Thomson's one-week ban for trampling against Scotland.

CARDIFF: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has named his strongest starting line-up for Saturday's one-off Test against Wales, restoring skipper Richie McCaw and star fly-half Dan Carter to the side.
After experimenting in the first two Tests of the tour to give all of his 32-man squad a run, Hansen opted to take no chances against an out-of-form Wales desperate to redeem themselves by downing the world champions.
"We have always known that this game will be a fiercely contested match... we have known since the World Cup that this would be the the game they would be targeting in this series," Hansen said.
"So any recent performances or results won't have any bearing on this match."
McCaw, rested for last week's 42-10 win over Italy, takes the captain's armband back from Kieran Read, while Carter replaces understudy Aaron Cruden at No.10 after warming the bench in Rome.
In all, there are nine changes from the side that defeated Italy with Tony Woodcock the only survivor in a revamped tight five featuring Andrew Hore, Owen Franks, Luke Romano and Sam Whitelock.
Liam Messam was retained as blindside flanker over Adam Thomson, whose one-match ban for stamping on Alasdair Strokosch in a 51-22 win over Scotland is being appealed by the International Rugby Board as "unduly lenient".
Hansen said he did not want the appeal to disrupt the team's preparation.
In the backs, Hansen stuck with the experienced centre pairing of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, who played a key role in demolishing Italy.
Fullback Israel Dagg returns from injury at the expense of Beauden Barrett, while Cory Jane replaces Hosea Gear on the right wing.
Julian Savea, this year's top international try scorer with 10 five-pointers in seven Tests, kept his place on the left wing, making him the only player to start in all three of New Zealand's tour matches.
Aaron Smith held off a challenge from a resurgent Piri Weepu at scrum-half, although Hansen conceded it was a close call after Weepu's strong performance against Scotland.
The All Blacks are on a run of 19 Tests undefeated and have posted 24 straight wins over Wales since they last lost to the Red Dragons in 1953.
They enter the fixture as overwhelming favourites against a Wales team reeling after a run of five successive defeats, including a 26-19 loss to bogey team Samoa last week.
Hansen said the hosts would be determined to end their horror run and return to the form that delivered this year's Six Nations championship and a semi-final berth at last year's World Cup.
New Zealand wrap up their tour at Twickenham on December 1 against England, who are the last team to defeat them on a northern hemisphere tour, with a 31-28 win in 2002.
New Zealand: Israel Dagg; Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea; Dan Carter, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam; Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano; Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Replacements: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Brodie Retallick, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith.
AFP

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/hansen-takes-no-chances-with-fullstrength-all-blacks-named-for-wales-clash-20121122-29sm5.html#ixzz2Cylh9nBw

Time-wasting All Blacks tests: What's the point?

2012-11-18T19:03:00.004+01:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7966972/Time-wasting-All-Blacks-tests-Whats-the-point
GLENN MCLEAN
19/11/2012

OPINION: I've heard all the sporting cliches after the All Blacks' win over Italy at the weekend.
"This will be really good for world rugby" and "Italy have learnt a lot in recent years" have, predictably, been hauled out.
The best thing about the game, by far, was thankfully it did not resemble the borefest of three years ago in Milan.
Yes, great atmosphere, equally good stadium and the weather was perfect, but don't for a minute think that was good for world rugby.
Sure, the Italians have learnt a bit, that's only natural, but they are never going to beat the All Blacks. Not yesterday, not next year, probably not ever.
Same with Scotland. The gulf between Scottish rugby and New Zealand rugby is wider than ever.
So why then does the New Zealand Rugby Union play these sides so regularly?
I know there are International Rugby Board regulations that these matches must take place but the All Blacks meet Italy and Scotland enough times at the Rugby World Cup without having to schedule these waste of time tests on end of year tours.
It's time these tours actually started becoming meaningful.
There is a counter argument that these occasions provide a platform for All Blacks coach Steve Hansen to blood young and untried players, but what does he really learn from seeing the rookies come up against opposition who would barely find a place in most Super Rugby teams, Australia aside?
Not much, I would suggest.
Yes it was nice to see Taranaki's Beauden Barrett given an opportunity, but his time will come.
It's time for these end-of-year tours to comprise three-test series, preferably against France, England or Wales, although the last might be pushing it given their awful form of late.
When was the last time the All Blacks actually played the trio in a proper series away from home?
It should not be that these series are solely reserved for New Zealand shores.
For starters, it is totally unfair on the sides north of the equator to have to come all the way down here, always at the end of their taxing seasons, to try to win a series.
One-off tests, which rugby fans are fed year after year, provide no real insight into how the teams compare.
A series provides strong test nations the opportunity to learn how to beat their opposition, forces coaches into actually coming up with different game plans and puts pressure on teams and players to perform when injuries hit.
Another counter argument would be the vast majority of these series would be dead rubbers by the time it came to the third test but that should not be an influencing factor because England and France are capable of taking a test off the All Blacks, if given the chance.
NZRU boss Steve Tew skilfully negotiated a return of $4 million for his union's coffers for next month's test at Twickenham.
Why not treble that and put some real money in the bank?
The appetite of England and France supporters would certainly be there and it would force the All Blacks into unfamiliar venues, which in itself would bring different challenges.

The All Blacks are victims of their own success at the moment and it is starting to reflect in their play. The fact Hansen made 14 changes from the side that belted Scotland meant it was always going to be a second-rate All Blacks performance against Italy and that was certainly the case for 65 minutes.
The All Blacks kicked away far too much possession, were inaccurate with a lot of their play and were static in their attack for long periods.
Maybe if the weekend's game had been a second test against meaningful opposition it would have been a completely different story.

McCaw and Hansen warn against privatisation

2012-11-18T19:02:00.006+01:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7965771/McCaw-and-Hansen-warn-against-privatisation
LIAM NAPIER AND TOBY ROBSON IN ROME
18/11/2012

All Blacks' coach Steve Hansen and captain Richie McCaw have urged caution in the face of increased Super Rugby privatisation, strongly stressing the need for the New Zealand Rugby Union to retain control of its players.
New Zealand's new-age rugby landscape shifted further towards full privatisation last week when investors bought large shares in the Hurricanes and Crusaders.
The Blues and Chiefs - but not the Highlanders - are likely to follow suit by selling around half of their rights.
In exchange for their cash injections, wealthy private investors get match-day gate-takings and marketing and sponsorship benefits.
But there are fears they will soon push for more privileges, including control of the players, in what appears to be the start of a new era in professionalism.
The risk is that players will be driven to exhaustion, as currently occurs in Europe and South Africa.
Under the current central contracting model the NZRU remains in charge of all players.
Hansen and McCaw have both warned against ever altering that system and allowing wealthy backers too much power, fearing it could jeopardise one of the All Blacks' greatest advantages over their rivals.
"Centralisation is one of our big advantages," Hansen told the Sunday Star-Times.
"We recognise it's one of our strengths. In business you'd be very silly to give away one of your strengths."
At present Hansen is able to work closely with all five New Zealand Super Rugby coaches to ensure player workloads are carefully managed.
That avoids burnout and ensures key figures are consistently performing at their peak for the national team.
If private ownership is taken further and investors can dictate the terms of a player's involvement, the foundations of the All Blacks' success could be eroded.
That scenario is not far-fetched. Not so long ago, the prospect of a sponsor's name on the front of the All Blacks jersey seemed improbable.
Eventually, an investor might make the franchises an offer they can't refuse, at the cost of the right to control New Zealand rugby's greatest asset - the players.
"We should never get into that situation and I don't think we ever will," Hansen said.
"It's a massive advantage to us and one that we should always keep, regardless of who the coach is. We are working hard at the relationships with Super Rugby coaches and hard on player welfare."

In Europe and South Africa, provinces hold all the power and the players are often physically driven until they drop.
After losing to the All Blacks in Soweto this year, Springboks players were made to turn out for their Currie Cup teams while the New Zealanders enjoyed a week's rest.
McCaw believes the balance of power is correct and he singled out the ability of New Zealand's coaches to communicate in a constructive fashion as fundamental to the All Blacks' success.
"The season is tough to manage at the best of times without having an outside influence," he said.
"We are lucky that the hierarchy is that the All Blacks are most important to New Zealand rugby and it works down. That's the way it should be and we are very lucky we have a balance and understanding between everyone.
"The key is who is running the cutter. The coaches are going to want the best out of their players. The clubs over here [in Europe] worry just about what's happening and I guess that's what you get with private ownership.
"But the coaches [in New Zealand] understand they can't afford to hammer guys if they want them right at the business end of the season.
"With test matches in between, they know unless they are managed through that period they will end up with guys who are just buggered. You might get away with it for one year, but the following year that's when the cumulative [fatigue] comes in."

Richie McCaw relaxed about his time off

2012-11-18T19:01:00.006+01:00

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7965786/Richie-McCaw-relaxed-about-his-time-off
TOBY ROBSON IN ROME
18/11/2012

Richie McCaw is a man with feathers on his shoulders.
The All Blacks captain is about as relaxed as he gets during test week when he wanders into the team hotel lobby for a chat.
He's still got his trusty Warwick B4 notebook in tow, but it's in his shoulders and his eyes that the load looks a little lighter.
In four weeks he'll get the break he craves. He'll head to the beach for two months before boarding a flight to the United States for a belated OE.
It'll be the first time since he started captaining the All Blacks fulltime in 2006 that he'll have a summer to himself.
No sponsors, no media, no planning, no pressure.
McCaw got a sneak peek this past week into looking at the All Blacks from the outside in when he handed the captaincy to Kieran Read.
At the captain's run the openside struck an unusually solitary figure on the far side of Stadio Olimpico as his team-mates huddled around Read for their final instructions.
Next June the distance will be far greater.
It could be construed as a stressful time, perhaps one for second thoughts about taking a six-month sabbatical.
What if McCaw's battered body shuts down without the urgency of his rigid preparation and recovery regimes? What if the mental flame flickers just a little? What if a young lion prowls into his jungle in his absence?
The 31-year-old shrugs his shoulders at all three. It's the alternative that he can't fathom.
"If I'd gone into next year and worn myself down and that mental desire to be there starts to waiver then you are useless anyway," he said.
"But look, yeah, I'm at that part of my career where you know there are no guarantees anyway. You control what you can and I have an opportunity to come back physically in pretty good shape and mentally raring to go.
"If that doesn't happen then it was never going to happen ... what selections are made and all that soft of stuff, well it's out of my control anyway, that's how I look at it.
"If someone flies past you, well, that's just life, isn't it. As long as you do everything you can to be your best. I believe guys get worried about who is coming behind, but if someone's good enough to pass you then so be it."
It's a glimpse into what makes McCaw tick. He's a realist, but he's also an optimist.
"We have a thing in New Zealand that just because you hit a certain age we look at all the things you do wrong rather than the things you do right," he said.

"Yeah, some people fall off and, physically, injuries come into it, but a lot of it comes down to that mental side and whether you have that burning desire to still do it. As soon as that goes, then the form goes, and physically everything else will follow."
It's hard not to conjure images of McCaw's former team-mates Jerry Collins and Rodney So'oialo whose slides were surprisingly dramatic.
McCaw doesn't plan to suffer the same fate and hopes his time off will kick him through to 2015.
"If we have a culture of guys who say, ‘why can't you be [the other side of 30] then guys will be excited by it and if the workloads are managed somehow then, hey, there's no reason why not."