McCaw & Carter=McGrath & Warne?

Just saw this comparison used. I'd say it's pretty accurate. Both won pretty much everything-glaring omissions obviously being 2001 and 2005 for the Aussies and 2007 and 2009 for the Kiwis.

I'd say Warne and McCaw are top 5 greats for sure in the game and the other two not far behind at all.

I'm not going to write "Discuss." as I hate that but wondering what other 606ers think of that analogy? And any other double acts-eg Johnson/Wilkinson?

I never like these comparisons. It's like suggesting a player is the new Lomu. It's a disservice to both players and does them no favours. A legend of the game deserves to be thought in his own right and a new player can well do without the misguided hype and expectation of people.

If you look at the type of player McGrath was, you wouldn't say he had wondrous pace, incredible movement or a fluid action. What he did possess was incredible consistency and constantly attacked the right channels at the same length. You might say McCaw is very good at performing consistently but I think the comparisons should be the other way round. Warne and McCaw were the innovators and did things that no other player really did. McGrath and Carter were more players who were blessed with a very complete game who were able to provide key contributions on a consistent basis at the right time.

But really cricket and rugby have no comparative skill sets and the comparison is as valid as saying McCaw and Carter are the Jimmy Page and Robert Plant of the rugby world.

When you're that good, you've earned the right not to be compared to anybody. You're a unique sportsman who excelled in what you did and comparing somebody unrelated to your sport is about as useful as giving a pronunciation guide for Polynesian Players to UK commentators. It won't make one iota of a difference and won't serve any purpose.

That said Ryder and Hanson make for a very good comparison.

It's not really thought of in what they bring to the table skill wise rather the success in terms of quantitative performance. The "double act" as it were in terms of statistics. Carter or McCaw not playing hurt NZ as did say McGrath falling over that ball in the 05 Ashes (which had it not happened would have stayed in Australia no doubt). All four belong in the pantheon of respective sports (no hype needed here as the Aussies are retired and even though Carter and McCaw are thankfully still striving to get better you can safely say they are the finished article.

Sorry to mention that I was on about stats rather than skill sets. I don't judge musicians either. Art's in the eye of the beholder, always has been, always will be and all you can critique I suppose is technique. Sport usually produces a victor which renders it different.

Stats for those duos don't mean anything for me either. Maidens versus missed tackles. Cricket lends itself easier to analysing stats but what stands out for me are more the moments. Carter in 2005 against the Lions in the second test, that delivery by Warne to Gatting. Obviously those stats all collated together make up those memories. I guess it depends how deep you're willing to look.

I also have a problem though with judging individuals in a team game. Again, I think individual brilliance can stand out more in cricket but rugby is more of a collective effort at all times and the players around an individual player have a lot to do with their performance.

and the point of this thread is?

mowgli wrote:and the point of this thread post is?

Just saving paper.

That and it's Friday. What did you want to do, work?

Historic double acts.

Felix and Oscar
Tom and Jerry
Bert and Ernie.... I'm not getting this right, am I.

disney and chili?

Mowgli and Baloo?

GG and AWOP?

dry, ageing slightly rotten meat and Biltong?

mowgli wrote:dry, ageing slightly rotten meat and Biltong?

It's actually cured, salted and spiced.

Wales and England? e.g., the bickering thread a la Norris and Rita.

BTW McCaw just announced he'll exercise his six month sabbatical after the autumn tour. Thought he'd do it a year later to be honest.

Good stuff DC, seems even McCaw is being pragmatic about it. Is it 6 months off or an OE?

Any NH teams need a kicking first five? Anscombe is available, apparently he's eligible for wales. Kinda feel for the young lad after the horror of the blues.

Rest or.................. em, a different rugby experience?

I hear he's heading to Bath. Or Treviso, who will then win the HEC

Good stuff... the HEC needs new winners to freshen it up

He may travel to bath to watch a game as a spectator, sorry guys. McCaw's 6 month sabbatical
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10835963

And the ten 'best of' cheap shots on McCaw
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10835953

Ten 'best of' sly McCaws??????

I'd make a comparison:

McGrath & Warne = Ali Williams and Piri Weepu.