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Wed 19 Oct 2011 | 10:29
Midweek Madness - Richie McCaw's over the top ball steal

12
Comments

As you know by now, the All Blacks are through to the RWC final, where they will play France. On the way there they beat the Wallabies quite convincingly. Richie McCaw was a man possessed, so here is a short clip of him that many have requested. 

The All Blacks beat the Wallabies 20-6 at Eden Park, with McCaw coming out on top in the battle with David Pocock, another brilliant No.7. The New Zealand captain had come into the match under an injury cloud, but showed no signs of having a much talked about dodgy foot.

He carried well all night, made numerous tackles, and led from the front as only the 102 capped veteran knows how. He hailed his side's intensity after the game. 

"We are very happy with that and we have next week to look forward to, but I’m proud of the way the guys fronted up. The intensity was there - every single man out there did their bit, and that is what you have to do in knockout rugby. It was awesome. We realised that we were going to have to front up, we had to be on the job for 80 minutes," he said. 

If the All Blacks are to beat the unpredictable French in the final, they'll need McCaw to be on top of his game once again. He might also need to climb on top of a few Frenchman, as he did to Wallaby center Anthony Faingaa in the first half. There had already been a knockon so it didn't count, but he somehow affected the turnover anyway, ripping it from Faingaa while upside down. Freakish. 

Posted By: Grant Constable

12 Comments

  • skid986
    11:17 PM 03/06/2013

    Urban myth alert! Urban myth alert! There is no requirement for arriving players to allow a 'grounded' ball gatherer to get to his feet. A player off his feet is out of the game and must either stand or release the ball immediately. Arriving player is permitted to compete for the ball but is not permitted to go off HIS feet. There is no obligation to allow grounded player up off the deck.

  • browner
    12:06 AM 16/11/2012

    Hopefully !

  • mendorugger
    9:18 PM 03/10/2012

    How is this off your feet? was this a maul or a ruck (rhetorical)? Ever seen a back wait for a prop to run by him a bit then jump on his back like a lion on an elephant in order to finish the tackle. the crying from people everytime McCaw blows his nose is getting ridiculous. yes the man cheats, show me a player that doesnt. Hes not a dirty player though and that was not even a example of anything other then the guys desire to have the ball. Every time people boo hoo over lame stuff like this it cheapens the game. Go play Futbol ya cry babies.

  • mendorugger
    9:18 PM 03/10/2012

    How is this off your feet? was this a maul or a ruck (rhetorical)? Ever seen a back wait for a prop to run by him a bit then jump on his back like a lion on an elephant in order to finish the tackle. the crying from people everytime McCaw blows his nose is getting ridiculous. yes the man cheats, show me a player that doesnt. Hes not a dirty player though and that was not even a example of anything other then the guys desire to have the ball. Every time people boo hoo over lame stuff like this it cheapens the game. Go play Futbol ya cry babies.

  • mendorugger
    12:29 PM 03/10/2012

    If it had been a Polynesian making this move, it would be the mans head stripped from his shoulders not the ball from his arms.
    Every one gets the same treatment for crap tackles and misconduct. If it seems like there's a higher number of Poly's getting bans over players of other ethnic origin, then perhaps that may speak less to the prejudice of the game, and more to the style of their own play. Ever investigate that?

  • irish_ape
    4:10 PM 21/10/2011

    What a steal, McCaw is a Scouser. You heard it here first.............:D

  • guy
    7:53 PM 20/10/2011

    A lot of trolls crawling out of the woodwork again...I thought this new comment set-up removed quite a few of them.

    Legal or illegal is not really important. The ref was playing advantage to Australia anyway...What is far more interesting is the speed at which McCaw reacts to certain situations. He obviously did not plan this move so to come up with the ball this way is simply staggering.

    Imho he had a very, very good 101st test. Hope he is going to do even one better this weekend.

  • cheyanqui
    6:51 PM 20/10/2011

    If a Polynesian had of made this move, he would have been sent to the showers, cited, and give a 12 week ban.

  • chairmanrice
    3:00 PM 20/10/2011

    greatest move ever.

  • uhtiger
    12:10 PM 20/10/2011

    Man you people are knobs. Its not as if he went in trying to do that. He went in trying to wrap tackle Faiinga's upper body, found himself through momentum going over the top and had the "rugby instinct" to carry on going for the ball whilst upside down. Rather than automatically bagging the man just appreciate it for what it was, a freakish piece of ball scavenging from one of the best in the business.

  • jeroz
    12:01 PM 20/10/2011

    love this scene. Thanks for highlighting it

  • beerholder
    10:36 AM 20/10/2011

    The act is spectacular, but it looks very dangerous from my point of view. What was that he tried to accomplish? Win the ball or tackle the player? From what I know jumping on or over the adversary is illegal.

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