Rugby Update: All Blacks Captain McCaw on two weeks rest
All Blacks captain and the most favourite player of the last decade, Richie McCaw, has announced a two week rest, as he did last year. He will join the Crusaders Investec Super Rugby 2011 later this year. McCaw will not be playing his first match till March
4 round-three match at AMI stadium against Waratahs.
Richie McCaw, debatably the All Blacks if not the planet’s most high-ranking player, will bear the immense burden during an extensive Super Rugby tournament, the Investec Tri Nations and Rugby World Cup 2011 effectively following from one campaign to another.
Todd Blackadder, the Crusaders coach has affirmed though that All Black captain is the only All Black to get this privilege of taking rest at the start of their season. Lock Brad Thorn, has also been hinted to get a short spell in this season, and it is
assumed that the 36 year old lock will have week off prior to the last round.
None of the All Black players will be granted a sabbatical as the season will progress, although the idea of giving test players a break a week prior or after the last round is something that has been wilted by Graham Henry the coach. This issue has been
discussed in detail, when Super Rugby counterparts met All Blacks coaches in December in order to solve the issues in player management.
Speaking to the press, Blackadder said that McCaw’s case was expected and he needed some rest too. He said,
“He is probably in the most demanding role of anyone in rugby, isn't he.”
Highlanders and Rebels trial fixtures will be featuring All Blacks, as confirmed by Crusaders coach.
For Richie McCaw he added, “He was the Crusader of the year last year ... It was great what he gave the team, so that will be reciprocated and he gets that extra two weeks off.”
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