Playing Style
McCaw predominately plays at openside flanker, although he has played in the other "loose forward" positions of blindside flanker and number eight for the Crusaders. The openside binds loosely to the side of the scrum farthest from the touch-line and is usually one of the first players to reach a breakdown. In defence McCaw tries to work with the backs to put pressure on at the tackle and force a turnover, while on attack his priority is to secure the ball for his team. McCaw is regarded as one of the best openside flankers of all time. When he received the IRB Player of The Year award for the third time former Australian lock and award chairperson John Eales described him as "an outstanding captain, a world class player and a role model for our sport". Along with Dan Carter, he is seen as one of the most influential members of the All Blacks. McCaw considers his ability to anticipate play as one of his most important skills. Australian openside David Pocock, who was also shortlisted for the IRB award, admires the way he reads the game as well as his ability to read the referee.
Not all agree however, with McCaw being labeled a "cheat" by former South Africa coach Peter de Villiers. Longtime Springboks lock Victor Matfield said in 2010 that the referees let "him get away with murder" at the breakdown. Shortly after the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final, veteran France back-rower Imanol Harinordoquy said about McCaw's play in that match, "He played the whole match in our camp. He did a lot of things and nobody told him anything. Three minutes from the end of the game, I saw him dive on the side of a ruck and he stayed there for ages." Media footage has been released pinpointing unpenalised transgressions during a match against Australia. Former Australian coach Eddie Jones and flanker Phil Waugh say he does no more than any other good openside, but his skill at judging how the referee will interpret the breakdown is the main reason for his success. McCaw admits that he tests the referee early "to know what you can get away with" and that only an "idiot" would not adapt to their rulings. Teammate Aaron Mauger, along with many New Zealand fans, have suggested that McCaw's influence and playing style has made him a target for illegitimate play. International players Phil Waugh, Jamie Heaslip, Marcus Horan, Andy Powell, Dylan Hartley and Quade Cooper have been accused of making "cheap shots" on McCaw. He has even been on the receiving end from his All Black teammates when playing for the Crusaders, with Neemia Tialata, Jerry Collins and Ali Williams becoming frustrated with his play. According to McCaw "what happens on the field stays on the field" and if he gets extra attention it is because he "must be doing something right".
In 2012, Wallabies fans and Australian media speculated about McCaw's possible decline. To counter the McCaw threat Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and selectors wagered the potential returns in finishing games with two openside flankers on the field. In September 2012 after the All Blacks v South African Test in Dunedin, current South African coach Heyneke Meyer said that McCaw was the greatest rugby player the world has ever seen.
Read more about this topic: Richie McCaw
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