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Richie McCaw rates 2007 World Cup exit as the 'best thing to happen' to him in rugby
Former All Black captain Richie McCaw has opened up about how the 2007 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal loss to France in Cardiff is the ‘best thing’ to happen to him in rugby.
“People ask me what is the worst thing that happened to you in rugby? For a while I’d say the 2007 World Cup quarter-final but probably now I’d say it was one of the best things that happened to me,” McCaw told the A Few Hard Men podcast.
“Because I wouldn’t have put the time and effort and work into what happened for the [next] eight years … I don’t think the All Blacks would have been successful for the [following] eight years had we not gone through that.
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“Yes, it was tough at the time but the learnings we got out of it and where it took us, the path it took us, wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t gone through that.
“It showed you how tough it is to actually win a World Cup. It put that right in perspective. You never took anything for granted after that.”
Referee Wayne Barnes has since admitted the decision to not call a forward pass in the lead up to a crucial French try in that match is his biggest refereeing regret.
“I think, perhaps the most high-profile mistake was in 2007 when there was a forward pass in the lead up to a French try against New Zealand, the fallout from that was pretty huge,” Barnes told BT Sport.
“I think I was voted the third most-hated man in New Zealand that year so it was pretty impressive.
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Former Test lock Ali Williams has detailed the changes in preparation the All Blacks underwent when avenging their infamous 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter-final exit four years later.
Williams spoke about transforming pressure into privilege as the All Blacks set off towards World Cup glory in 2011, their first title since 1987.
“Let’s walk towards it rather than shy away,” Williams told RugbyPass Legends.
“Graham Henry put himself out there. Put himself through all that pain knowing what had happened when we’d failed, to do it again.”
As the team embarked on the task of making amends and winning the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Williams recalls just how focused McCaw was during the tournament.
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“Richie [McCaw], one of my good mates, and he sits behind me in the bus,” Williams said.
“He sits behind me and during the Cup it was literally like ‘mate, talk to me when you’re relaxed’. For that four – probably five – weeks we didn’t talk much. He was just so – doing his own thing, internally focused.”
To Williams’ surprise, McCaw eventually broke his silence.
“I think it was the semi-final, he came up and said ‘hey mate’ and I said ‘oh you’re back, nice to meet you, good to see you.’ That was just how he was dealing with it. He obviously had high pressure on his shoulders.”
McCaw went on to lead the All Blacks to back-to-back World Cup triumphs in 2015 before retiring from all rugby as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Rugby World Cup stadium guide – Kumamoto:
Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
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