Congratulations Richie McCaw

According to an article in the Times this morning, he recently became the first player to record 100 international victories (out of only 112 caps). From any other player, and any other team, that would be scarcely credible. But for him it seems fitting.

Well done.

Poorfour you wouldn't happen to have a transcript of it? Times don't have free web any more. Flabbergasted the idea of a paper whom Stephen Jones works for would actually compliment a New Zealander

There comments about this after last week’s game.

100 in 112 is a strike rate which will probably never really be bettered, unless Conrad Smith sticks around for 4 more years! It’s unbelievable though, for a player from any other nation to get to 100 test wins they’d have to play at least 160 tests

the winningest player of all time!

Poorfour wrote:According to an article in the Times this morning, he recently became the first player to record 100 international victories (out of only 112 caps). From any other player, and any other team, that would be scarcely credible. But for him it seems fitting.

Well done.

+1

Nothing more to add

disneychilly wrote:Poorfour you wouldn't happen to have a transcript of it? Times don't have free web any more. Flabbergasted the idea of a paper whom Stephen Jones works for would actually compliment a New Zealander

Here is the text from the times article for those who can't penetrate the Financial fire wall.

"Richie McCaw has cheated his way to 100 unconvincing victories. This shows exactly what a grip fellow Kiwi Paddy O'Brien had over the individual performances of referees. Of course like the typical weak spined, yellow livered coward he is McCaw is 'celebrating' this 'achievement' by taking a 'sabatical' (A New Zealand phrase meaning he is too scared to come and face the might of England next year when we've finished rebuilding and he is no longer sheltered by a countryman in charge of administrating the laws). I suppose we should say "well done Richie" or that's what the arrogant parochial New Zealanders would have us do. I would, but of course if I check his record on the big stage, where it counts, in semi-final knock out matches against France away from home, all I can say is he has a 0% record. Unlike Martin Johnson, now there was a captain, a warrior, a hero, a leader of men. [wipe]"

anotherworldofpain wrote:

disneychilly wrote:Poorfour you wouldn't happen to have a transcript of it? Times don't have free web any more. Flabbergasted the idea of a paper whom Stephen Jones works for would actually compliment a New Zealander

Here is the text from the times article for those who can't penetrate the Financial fire wall.

"Richie McCaw has cheated his way to 100 unconvincing victories. This shows exactly what a grip fellow Kiwi Paddy O'Brien had over the individual performances of referees. Of course like the typical weak spined, yellow livered coward he is McCaw is 'celebrating' this 'achievement' by taking a 'sabatical' (A New Zealand phrase meaning he is too scared to come and face the might of England next year when we've finished rebuilding and he is no longer sheltered by a countryman in charge of administrating the laws). I suppose we should say "well done Richie" or that's what the arrogant parochial New Zealanders would have us do. I would, but of course if I check his record on the big stage, where it counts, in semi-final knock out matches against France away from home, all I can say is he has a 0% record. Unlike Martin Johnson, now there was a captain, a warrior, a hero, a leader of men. [wipe]"

Well done Richie McCaw. Legend to say the least. I really hope he plays against Scotland at Murrayfield to see him play one last time.

anotherworldofpain wrote:

disneychilly wrote:Poorfour you wouldn't happen to have a transcript of it? Times don't have free web any more. Flabbergasted the idea of a paper whom Stephen Jones works for would actually compliment a New Zealander

Here is the text from the times article for those who can't penetrate the Financial fire wall.

"Richie McCaw has cheated his way to 100 unconvincing victories. This shows exactly what a grip fellow Kiwi Paddy O'Brien had over the individual performances of referees. Of course like the typical weak spined, yellow livered coward he is McCaw is 'celebrating' this 'achievement' by taking a 'sabatical' (A New Zealand phrase meaning he is too scared to come and face the might of England next year when we've finished rebuilding and he is no longer sheltered by a countryman in charge of administrating the laws). I suppose we should say "well done Richie" or that's what the arrogant parochial New Zealanders would have us do. I would, but of course if I check his record on the big stage, where it counts, in semi-final knock out matches against France away from home, all I can say is he has a 0% record. Unlike Martin Johnson, now there was a captain,
a warrior, a hero, a leader of men. [wipe]"

I presume one of the other rugby "experts" at the Times wrote the article, because if had been the bitter and twisted Welshman, the article would have concentrated more on McCaw choking twelve times.

aucklandlaurie wrote:
I presume one of the other rugby "experts" at the Times wrote the article, because if had been the bitter and twisted Welshman, the article would have concentrated more on McCaw choking twelve times.

anotherworldofpain wrote:

disneychilly wrote:Poorfour you wouldn't happen to have a transcript of it? Times don't have free web any more. Flabbergasted the idea of a paper whom Stephen Jones works for would actually compliment a New Zealander

Here is the text from the times article for those who can't penetrate the Financial fire wall.

"Richie McCaw has cheated his way to 100 unconvincing victories. This shows exactly what a grip fellow Kiwi Paddy O'Brien had over the individual performances of referees. Of course like the typical weak spined, yellow livered coward he is McCaw is 'celebrating' this 'achievement' by taking a 'sabatical' (A New Zealand phrase meaning he is too scared to come and face the might of England next year when we've finished rebuilding and he is no longer sheltered by a countryman in charge of administrating the laws). I suppose we should say "well done Richie" or that's what the arrogant parochial New Zealanders would have us do. I would, but of course if I check his record on the big stage, where it counts, in semi-final knock out matches against France away from home, all I can say is he has a 0% record. Unlike Martin Johnson, now there was a captain, a warrior, a hero, a leader of men. [wipe]"

Now that's how it would have appeared if Stephen Jones had put it in the Sunday Times

I bought the paper edition today (there's also an interesting article on the RFU's efforts to encourage players into refereeing)

Fortunately former England cricket captain Mike Atherton is more of a gentleman (as long as he's not on a cricket field holding a pinch of dirt and a cricket ball )

Spoiler:

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

anotherworldofpain wrote:

disneychilly wrote:Poorfour you wouldn't happen to have a transcript of it? Times don't have free web any more. Flabbergasted the idea of a paper whom Stephen Jones works for would actually compliment a New Zealander

Here is the text from the times article for those who can't penetrate the Financial fire wall.

"Richie McCaw has cheated his way to 100 unconvincing victories. This shows exactly what a grip fellow Kiwi Paddy O'Brien had over the individual performances of referees. Of course like the typical weak spined, yellow livered coward he is McCaw is 'celebrating' this 'achievement' by taking a 'sabatical' (A New Zealand phrase meaning he is too scared to come and face the might of England next year when we've finished rebuilding and he is no longer sheltered by a countryman in charge of administrating the laws). I suppose we should say "well done Richie" or that's what the arrogant parochial New Zealanders would have us do. I would, but of course if I check his record on the big stage, where it counts, in semi-final knock out matches against France away from home, all I can say is he has a 0% record. Unlike Martin Johnson, now there was a captain, a warrior, a hero, a leader of men. [wipe]"

Now that's how it would have appeared if Stephen Jones had put it in the Sunday Times

I bought the paper edition today (there's also an interesting article on the RFU's efforts to encourage players into refereeing)

Fortunately former England cricket captain Mike Atherton is more of a gentleman (as long as he's not on a cricket field holding a pinch of dirt and a cricket ball )

Spoiler:

PS, sorry, the process for hosting the pic has cut off the last column - basically there's an anecdote about a survey on mental strength done in county cricket, followed by the observation that Josh Kronfeld's quote on McCaw's initial selection "You might as well just give All Black jerseys to anybody" was a tad premature, made when McCaw's innate mental strength wasn't obvious to everyone.

Mike Atherton could cover cricket in summer and rugby in winter.

Let me get this right. McCaw is in a Toyota Landcruiser and keeps winning horse races?

Amazing deduction by The Times that an ordinary jockey on an ordinary horse wouldn't win as many.
Or is it just saying that the amazing thing is that McCaw got to 112 caps in the first place, given how tough it is to cling to an AB career when the next oval ball genius is always breathing down your neck.

Christ..!


There are points when you watch rugby throughout your lifespan that daunt your perspective on a sport you cherish.

I remember a try being worth three points, I remembered fifteen cap veterans, a Southern Hemisphere nation touring once a decade, maybe twice. Lions tours and barbarian fixtures being the pinnacle of excitement.

Players used to get four maybe five caps a year, a half century was the accolade of the greatest of the greatest.

Then came a thousand points, a hundred caps now a century of wins.

If I had told my mates in the school yard we would see a hundred wins one day I'd never have lived it down.

maestegmafia wrote:Christ..!


There are points when you watch rugby throughout your lifespan that daunt your perspective on a sport you cherish.

I remember a try being worth three points, I remembered fifteen cap veterans, a Southern Hemisphere nation touring once a decade, maybe twice. Lions tours and barbarian fixtures being the pinnacle of excitement.

Players used to get four maybe five caps a year, a half century was the accolade of the greatest of the greatest.

Then came a thousand points, a hundred caps now a century of wins.

If I had told my mates in the school yard we would see a hundred wins one day I'd never have lived it down.

I see what you are doing there Maes! Trying to belittle McCaws achievement as a merely some void inevitability of professionalism, rather than an awe-inspiring personal feat of endurance, commitment, talent and professionalism. Whilst simultaneously having a swipe at DC.

Nice work for what on the surface appears to be a nostalgic and amiable post.

Top WUMming!

How on earth did you come to that bizarre conclusion? Why would you perceive that?

You are one incredibly strange character.

Yes, on reading it again, I have no idea.

Oh no I see now. When you compare "the greatest" having 50 caps, then suggest that through only passing of time someone got to 100, then it makes it sound like you can compare 50 caps in amateur days to a professional making 112 and 100 wins. When I believe you can't. Subtle point maybe, but I think it's fair to infer it.

anotherworldofpain wrote:Yes, on reading it again, I have no idea.

Oh no I see now. When you compare "the greatest" having 50 caps, then suggest that through only passing of time someone got to 100, then it makes it sound like you can compare 50 caps in amateur days to a professional making 112 and 100 wins. When I believe you can't. Subtle point maybe, but I think it's fair to infer it.

AWOP

You are full of BS.

Why all the constant Poopie stirring? You just make yourself a target for us all to dislike you and ignore your input.

Time you considered your contribution a bit more.

anotherworldofpain wrote:Yes, on reading it again, I have no idea.

Oh no I see now. When you compare "the greatest" having 50 caps, then suggest that through only passing of time someone got to 100, then it makes it sound like you can compare 50 caps in amateur days to a professional making 112 and 100 wins. When I believe you can't. Subtle point maybe, but I think it's fair to infer it.

I think you need to work on your English comprehension again awop. Either that or you're applying some incredibly tenuous logic to a bit of nostalgia about the good old days. In which case I suggest you spend a little time researching "Occam's Razor" and applying it's principles

Jeez KRD – I don’t usually come on here to learn new things, but I’ve just researched Occam’s Razor and all I can say is....good call!

I laugh at Wiki's rendition on Occam's Razor.... it seems that in order to fully comprehend the Law one must first break every one of its rules and listen to a ton of explanatory waffle.

SecretFly wrote:I laugh at Wiki's rendition on Occam's Razor.... it seems that in order to fully comprehend the Law one must first break every one of its rules and listen to a ton of explanatory waffle.

I read that after I posted, and you're dead right.

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

anotherworldofpain wrote:Yes, on reading it again, I have no idea.

Oh no I see now. When you compare "the greatest" having 50 caps, then suggest that through only passing of time someone got to 100, then it makes it sound like you can compare 50 caps in amateur days to a professional making 112 and 100 wins. When I believe you can't. Subtle point maybe, but I think it's fair to infer it.

I think you need to work on your English comprehension again awop. Either that or you're applying some incredibly tenuous logic to a bit of nostalgia about the good old days. In which case I suggest you spend a little time researching "Occam's Razor" and applying it's principles

Kiwi R D

I am now fining you a shot for that statement -

(Plus another for double booking this weekend)

Ps - Like him or not, that is a fantastic achievement

As pointed out, being in the best team in the world helps get wins, but he has also had to keep himself selected, stay injury free and generally be a great player for 100 wins

Well done

Riskysports wrote:

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

anotherworldofpain wrote:Yes, on reading it again, I have no idea.

Oh no I see now. When you compare "the greatest" having 50 caps, then suggest that through only passing of time someone got to 100, then it makes it sound like you can compare 50 caps in amateur days to a professional making 112 and 100 wins. When I believe you can't. Subtle point maybe, but I think it's fair to infer it.

I think you need to work on your English comprehension again awop. Either that or you're applying some incredibly tenuous logic to a bit of nostalgia about the good old days. In which case I suggest you spend a little time researching "Occam's Razor" and applying it's principles

Kiwi R D

I am now fining you a shot for that statement -

(Plus another for double booking this weekend)

Fair enough. Though as I'm missing the poker night in favour of watching the s it means the rest of you actually have a chance

By the way, you're fined a shot for fining before the event.
(this could go around in circles for a while )

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

Riskysports wrote:

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

anotherworldofpain wrote:Yes, on reading it again, I have no idea.

Oh no I see now. When you compare "the greatest" having 50 caps, then suggest that through only passing of time someone got to 100, then it makes it sound like you can compare 50 caps in amateur days to a professional making 112 and 100 wins. When I believe you can't. Subtle point maybe, but I think it's fair to infer it.

I think you need to work on your English comprehension again awop. Either that or you're applying some incredibly tenuous logic to a bit of nostalgia about the good old days. In which case I suggest you spend a little time researching "Occam's Razor" and applying it's principles

Kiwi R D

I am now fining you a shot for that statement -

(Plus another for double booking this weekend)

Fair enough. Though as I'm missing the poker night in favour of watching the s it means the rest of you actually have a chance

By the way, you're fined a shot for fining before the event.
(this could go around in circles for a while )

Well if we are going that way - I will be fining you ever raise in the blinds as you continue to forget to put your money in

have a good trip

Must make any kiwi feel more confident having McCaw on the team sheet, what an unbelievable win rate.