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Rugby News: Richie McCaw Eyes 2015 World Cup, Takes 6-Month Sabbatical
Published: September 25, 2012
The move is a bid intended to prolong his career and see him through to the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.
This may be a fairly optimistic aim, with the 31-year-old having taken his fair share of knocks over an illustrious 11-year career which has left his body battered. By taking a sabbatical it is hoped he will be able to freshen up and last another two-and-a-half years in the black jersey.
Many have questioned McCaw’s ability to continue to play at the top level, saying he is now past his best and has been surpassed by another youngster across the Tasman as the world’s best open-side flanker.
However, if McCaw’s recent performances in the Rugby Championship are anything to go by this is far from the case; he's been playing some of the best rugby of his career over the past month.
He may no longer have quite the same impact at the breakdown as he did in his younger years. Whilst he is still capable of snaffling the ball from his unsuspecting foe, this is no longer the sole focus of his game as he has developed into an all-around player.
He is now a strong ball-runner, a tough defender and an option at lineout time. There have been few open-side flankers in the history of the game that can claim to have mastered all of these skills, and is really what separates McCaw from the rest.
His leadership too will continue to be of great value to the All Blacks, as they look to blood a handful of new players, all of whom will benefit from McCaw’s guidance.
Of course there are the likes of Kieran Read, Keven Mealamu and Conrad Smith, who could be called upon to lead ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union
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