Richie McCaw Should Not Be Blamed for Final Crusaders Penalty

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: August 4, 2014

commentComment        

The defining moment from the 2014 Super Rugby final came when Richie McCaw was penalised in the dying stages. It was this penalty that enabled the Waratahs to sneak in front of the Crusaders and claim a one-point win (33-32) after an epic match.

There are few more controversial figures in world rugby than McCaw. It is not that he is a dirty player, but his work at the breakdown has always been the subject of debate. Some view him as a genius—others see him as a cheat.

Indeed, there is a fine line between the two. 

Likewise, when he succeeds he is a hero, and when he fails he is so often made a scapegoat.

The decision which saw him penalised has been heavily discussed over the past few days. Scour the comments sections of rugby websites, and you will find all sorts of opinions being put forth. Ditto if you have been listening to New Zealand talk-back radio over the past weekend.



McCaw himself admitted he "should have known better," per The Courier Mail. Perhaps he is right. He did open the situation up for interpretation.

But does he really deserve to be criticised for the penalty? 

Sure it was the incident that opened the door for the Waratahs to kick the winning goal. It was also an incident typical of the type that fans the world over have pointed to as being evidence that McCaw indeed is a cheat.

Did he actually infringe in this situation? Does he really deserve to cop any blame or feel that he should have done better?

The infringement he was penalised for was entering the ruck incorrectly. However, as is so often the case, one must question if there was ever a ruck for McCaw to incorrectly enter into.

Waratahs substitute hooker, Tolu Latu, went right from the pick-and-go and went voluntarily to the ground at McCaw's feet. There was never a tackle.

McCaw had all rights to the ball, standing...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

Latest News


Comments

Comments are closed.

Sponsors

Bruins Tickets The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Red Wings Tickets The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.

Penguins Tickets The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New York Rangers Tickets play their home games at Madison Square Garden, they are one of the oldest teams in the NHL, having joined in 1926 as an expansion franchise, and are part of the group of teams referred to as the Original Six.

San Jose Sharks Tickets The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States.

Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New Jersey Devils Tickets The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Washington Capitals Tickets The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.

Buffalo Sabres Tickets The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. Get the Sabres and all of your NHL Tickets here.

NASCAR season is on of the most attended sports in the world. NASCAR Tickets to the best tracks is a must every year. Some of these tracks are: Talladega Tickets, Lowes Motor Speedway Tickets, Pocono Raceway Tickets, located in Ridgeway Virginia you have Martinsville Speedway Tickets and southern US you have two of the most popular Atlanta Motor Speedway Tickets and Texas Motor Speedway Tickets. Don't miss all the racing events this year!

Boston Red Sox Tickets The Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since 1912, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. This is one of the hottest MLB Tickets sales of any team in the major league.

New York Yankees Tickets The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division. Get tickets to one of the hottest games of the season Yankees Red Sox Tickets.

Chicago Cubs Tickets The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League.

Phillies Tickets The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883.

Orioles Tickets The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Do you love wrestling? Get your WWE Tickets and WWE Survivor Series Tickets today!