Bitter rivals: McCaw and Cooper
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All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has admitted in his new autobiography that his personal feud with Quade Cooper turned nasty.
In his autobiography, The Open Side, which was released on Tuesday, the record-breaking All Black flank revealed he regrets letting his on-field battle with the Wallabies fly-half last year become personal.
"There was a bit of post-game controversy around Quade Cooper's attempt to knee me in the head as he was extricating himself from a ruck," McCaw wrote.
"The intent of what he was trying to do pissed me off more than the execution. Shortly after that happened, I was carrying and should have passed, but I lit up and I saw Quade standing in front of me and clattered into him instead.
"I was disappointed in myself doing that, letting it get personal. There's no need - players like Quade get sorted. Sooner or later they get their beans."
McCaw also reveals that he backed Graham Henry to be reappointed as All Blacks coach ahead of Robbie Deans, under whom he played at the Crusaders, because he questioned Deans' ability to work collaboratively.
"Robbie doesn't appear to want to be challenged by his assistants and won't allow the kind of full-on debate that Ted [Henry] encourages with [Wayne] Smith and [Steve] Hansen," reads one extract.
"Robbie's approach is to say, 'This is what we're doing,' then convince people that's the way it's got to be. He's very good at that.
"But when you look at the record of Robbie's assistant coaches, there's quite a lot of turnover and fallout. Robbie's intransigence and reluctance to delegate might have been a factor ... if you look at the names of some of Robbie's assistants. Colin Cooper, Vern Cotter, Don Hayes, Todd Blackadder. It's tempting to draw the conclusion that if Robbie gets a strong assistant coach, the assistant won't last, and if he gets one that lasts, he's not that strong.
"The applications in front of the NZRU are telling. Robbie hasn't named his assistants, though [then Auckland coach] Pat Lam's has been mentioned in some reports. But Pat hasn't coached at Super 14 level yet. So the question actually is: Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen or Robbie Deans and unknown assistant coaches? That's a critical difference right there.
"...so when [NZRU CEO] Steve Tew phones me for an informal catch-up on this and that, I tell him I'm happy to work with either, but I do have a view on which option might be better for the All Blacks."
Comments
new_j4a says...
If the autobiography comes out as an eBook, it may well be on Quade's next laptop when he upgrades.
Posted 17:56 10th October 2012
new_j4a says...
@ArmchairGeneral that's a low, low blow....you're grounded.
Posted 17:44 10th October 2012
new_j4a says...
@whizz52 and the Trinuts lynch mob, to be fair, life would be a lot less interesting and a lot less humorous if it weren't for the occasional windup from our one-eyed Queensland friend?
Posted 17:42 10th October 2012
APV1 says...
@ kiwilad - I think you meant "only" copy sold in Oz...
I also heard that in pre-release, copies of the book kept falling on the wrong side of the bookshelf, maiking it almost impossible to punters to get their hands on anything. Just a rumour of course...
Posted 17:25 10th October 2012
hybrid187 says...
Trinats2 says...
hybrid187:
Yes "love" to hate him, he is a Kiwi after all (not a real one, then he'd be Maori !!!).
By this logic, the only 'real' Aussie in the Wannabies then is Beale ? Hmmm...
Posted 17:01 10th October 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Goes without saying NZ national bird is flightless otherwise it would have left.
Posted 15:47 10th October 2012
Trader2 says...
Trinats
Thanks for the www.supercheats.com link, however it needs a .au on the end and I used Trinats2 as a password and there was a great story about how the Wannabies have "cheated" the poor Oz rugby playing public each year by claiming that "this will be the year we will win back the Bledisloe Cup". Thanks for the headsup on that one. Oh and by the way a "real Kiwi" is a flightless bird, again just something to assist your lagging education.
Posted 13:31 10th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
sandal:
If you can't take negative remarks (even ones in jest) I suggest you leave the school playground ! Only sneer is on your face.
I doubt very nuch you have actually step foot on a rugby field, maybe you have at school boys but find it hard to see past that, you don't have the streetwise or humour.
Like I said before, lighten up.
Posted 11:35 10th October 2012
whizz52 says...
it is actually sad to read people like Trinuts, who I am sure has never achieved anything in rugby, constantly taking cheap shots at a really decent bloke who also just happens to be one of the greatest rugby players of all time.
Posted 09:44 10th October 2012
Borneo_Bug says...
Definitely getting his book and Matfield's book for Christmas!
Posted 08:25 10th October 2012
sandal says...
@Trinats
McCaw said something interesting. Unlike most other sports memoirs and biographies.
Give us a break, Trinats. Drop the sneer. Drop the cynicism.
Posted 06:51 10th October 2012
jonesy2 says...
very interesting stuff. will definetly have to give his book a read
Posted 06:25 10th October 2012
passtheball says...
Trader2 - very observant - those with their own agendas and fantasys will have no trouble filling in the blank pages.
Posted 01:01 10th October 2012
LeftRightOut says...
Trinits - I heard McCaw is putting in lots of pictures and small words just for you
Posted 01:00 10th October 2012
Phill_Moore says...
But really, Quade who?
Sadly for him, if at all, he will be remember for this:
- Remember that guy who tried to wind up Richie with cheap shots?
- Which one? There were dozens!
- Well, the one that was also scared to tackle and got convicted for burglary...
- hmm, wait, does ring a bell now...
Posted 00:56 10th October 2012
cdn_content says...
Kinda surprised that Mccaw took a swipe at Deans, talk about kicking a man when he's down (in reference to slamming someone who didn't get the job, not Dean's current state).
Though have to appreciate his honest assessment and that his comments actually may support Cooper just as olepete stated.
Funny that, two opponents that obviously don't get along, both agreeing on their mutual issues with a coach.
Wonder what is he says about the world cup final...
Posted 23:11 09th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
hybrid187:
Yes "love" to hate him, he is a Kiwi after all (not a real one, then he'd be Maori !!!). If he was a good boy it wouldn't be much fun, he'd be perfect. It's the fact that he is a little devil which makes it exciting !!!
Trader2:
It's probably the second book that I wont get around to reading this year, even if there were pictures and Father Christmans sent me a copy.
You can get an e-copy free at www.supercheats.com !!!
Posted 23:06 09th October 2012
Ramage says...
Oh Trader2 you have struck the nail on the head and the tears of laughter are still rolling down my cheeks. ' Trinuts (a liberty) the blank pages are for people such as yourself - enjoy. Lol, lol, lol . I promise you Trader2 that if he has any trouble understanding what he is looking at, as the pages are blank and dont have any pictures I will be pleased to help him understand as I will soon be in spitting distance from him.
Posted 22:56 09th October 2012
Sincero says...
'Autobiography', eh? Anyone have any stats on how many boxes of crayons Richie went through before his ghost writer set to work?
Posted 22:30 09th October 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
I think the qualities of the aforementioned persons are plain for all to see! One bloke represents his country,his team mates with aplomb! and provides for rugby a great role model of integrity & professionalism.He really is a good bloke! The haters can keep insisting he is a cheat...you focus on a part of his game(which exists with all great 7's) and pretty much dismiss everything else he has done admirably throughout his career..(SAD). As to Quade i think its plain to see the content of his character at the MO...hopefully dude sorts his shizz out and gets back to playing and enjoying rugby/league again. Its good to see Richie acknowledging he was disappointed with himself by letting Quade get to him..Honesty! good on ya mate
Posted 20:43 09th October 2012