‘May not have the depth…’: Richie McCaw’s view on Wallabies’ struggles
When Australia plays New Zealand in any sport, there’s much more than bragging rights on the line. It’s simply a matter of national importance as the big brother goes toe-to-toe against its smaller foe.
If you ask any Aussie or Kiwi, they’ll agree that this rivalry means something else. But the heated battles are fuelled by overwhelming respect, with neither nation truly wanting to see the other crash and burn on the sporting field – but that’s exactly what’s happened.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones was uncharacteristically quiet as he walked into the mandatory post-match press conference after Australia’s record 40-6 loss to Wales at the Rugby World Cup.
That disastrous defeat ultimately spelled the end of Australia’s quest for rugby’s ultimate prize, with the Wallabies leaving the party in France before the business end of the tournament.
With coach Jones at the helm, Australia lost seven of nine Tests this year – a once unfathomably poor run for the Wallabies, and things have gone from bad to worse since.
Jones resigned just after the World Cup final, star wing Mark Nawaqanitawase reportedly met with NRL powerhouse the Sydney Roosters, and chairman Hamish McLennan was publicly ousted from the role by six member union states.
But even New Zealanders, who claim a fierce rivalry with their neighbours across the ditch, just want the hurt to stop for Australian rugby.
Two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain Richie McCaw believes New Zealand needs Australia to be successful for the betterment of both traditional rugby powerhouses.
"Obviously, disappointing from a Wallaby point of view that they didn't get out of the group stage," McCaw said, as reported by Nine’s Wide World of Sports.
"I was part of a team in 2007 that although we made the quarters, we came home well below expectations. When you've got people that expect better there is a lot of questions asked but you've got to make sure the passion and the people who really care get aligned on the things you need to do to turn it around.
“I know a lot of the players I played against who are extremely passionate and want to see Wallaby rugby and Australian rugby in general be successful.
"From a New Zealand point of view, we need the Wallabies to be successful to have a Super (Rugby) competition. They may not have the depth that they like but they certainly have got talented players."
While the Wallabies were left to rue what could’ve been after the World Cup, the All Blacks continued to overcome doubt, scepticism and scrutiny as they marched into another decider.
Playing against the Springboks at Stade de France about one month ago, the New Zealanders showed plenty of fight to stay in the contest after skipper Sam Cane was red-carded in the first half.
But it wasn’t to be. McCaw watched on from the stands at the Parisian venue as the men in black squandered genuine opportunities to win the final late in the piece, but the Boks held on for a thrilling 12-11 victory.
"If you're not even in with a chance you know you couldn't have won but the fact that they got close, I don't know if it makes it better or worse," McCaw added.
"As a fan sitting there watching, I felt for the guys. It's one of those things that will always sit with them, that they got so close but didn't quite nail it but that's the nature of World Cups, they're not easy to win and you've got to get everything spot on when it counts. It was hard to see them at the end being disappointed, but that's what happens in sport."
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> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
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