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'Part of you would like to be out there' - McCaw gives verdict on Crusaders

By Tom Webber
Former All Blacks and Crusaders captain Richie McCaw

Former All Blacks and Crusaders captain Richie McCaw says his new watching brief is difficult at times, but gave coach Scott Robertson his thoughts on what the Crusaders must do to win their Super Rugby semi-final against the Hurricanes.

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The defending champions put themselves under unnecessary pressure in their last-eight clash against the Sharks before clinching an ultimately comfortable 40-10 victory in Christchurch.

Former Crusaders captain McCaw won four Super Rugby titles with the franchise and offered his former team-mate Robertson some advice ahead of Saturday’s meeting at AMI Stadium.

“I was just talking about it to Razor [Robertson]. It’s the little mistakes, back-to-back mistakes or penalties allowing the momentum to go against you, it can just be one or two things like that,” McCaw told 1 News.

“You can go from being on the front foot to all of a sudden with the guys that the Hurricanes have got, they are good enough to build that pressure and all of sudden it can cost you seven points.

“It will be just those little opportunities.”

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New Zealand’s most-capped player McCaw, who turns 38 this year, admits he misses taking part in play-off matches but is trying to enjoy simply being a spectator.

“I was sitting in the stands last week and you sort of remember back to the times that you were lucky enough to do that,” he said.

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“There is a little bit that sits there, but you get past that. I am just really enjoying seeing the guys carrying on keeping the Crusaders at the top of the list.

“That is pretty cool to watch, but part of you would like to be out there, but you know can’t do that anymore, just got to try and enjoy it like everybody else.”

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Jon 8 hours ago
The case for keeping the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific

I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.

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