McCaw cheat claims adds spice

2006-04-06 09:19

Wellington - Cheating allegations against All Blacks and Crusaders flank Richie McCaw are likely to spill over into the top-of-the-table Super 14 match with the Waratahs on Friday.

The allegations, which have dogged McCaw throughout his career, gained new credence after the Crusaders' 20-11 win over the Hurricanes last week, in which the champions finished on the wrong end of a 12-4 penalty count.

The majority of those penalties were awarded against McCaw for infringements around the tackled ball, leading some New Zealanders to ask whether one of their most respected players might be found too often on the wrong side of the law.

McCaw's critics allege persistent infringement at rucks and at the tackle is not only a central part of his game but that, because he is such a distinguished All Black, he receives unusual tolerance from referees.

National debate about McCaw's play

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper made no direct comment about McCaw's tactics after last week's match but pointed out the penalty count and the part McCaw played in it.

The match sparked a national debate about McCaw's play, in which a leading referees' administrator and a number of eminent New Zealanders spoke up on his behalf.

Wellington's Dominion-Post newspaper polled its readers on the cheating question and received a largely neutral response.

Most respondents agreed McCaw pushed the boundaries of the law but found it acceptable as long as he did so for New Zealand.

The national issue became an international one when the Waratahs weighed in this week with their opinion. Wallabies flank Phil Waugh, who will oppose McCaw on Friday, delivered his verdict on McCaw's playing style in a manner likely to heighten feeling around the match.

"You watch him play and he does get away with a lot of things that other players probably wouldn't at the tackle area," Waugh said.

"He's got a history of that and a history of getting away with it. I certainly watch games, watch him, and think: How does he get away with that?

"He got picked up a fair bit last week. But I was still surprised he got away with as much as he did."

Ball-killing tactics

The Crusaders vigorously defended McCaw against cheating charges, only weeks after coach Robbie Deans angrily accused the Blues of similar ball-killing tactics in their round-four clash.

McCaw was largely unconcerned about the claims.

"Things like that there's no point reading because if you don't agree it only makes you angry," he said.

"It's someone else's opinion and you move on. You can't get away from it totally but you just have to have a thick skin and believe in what we're doing here and what I do."

The controversy will almost certainly focus greater attention in McCaw's performance on Friday, adding pressure on the referee and linesman to monitor his activities.

Canterbury's game plan is based on slowing down their opponents' ball to allow an extremely flat defensive line to hobble opposing backlines.

That will be necessary on Friday because of the talent manifest in the Waratahs' backline but publicity surrounding McCaw will make it more difficult.

In other ninth-round matches on Saturday, the Highlanders play the winless Western Force, the Chiefs meet the Bulls and the Blues play the Stormers.

The Brumbies play the Cheetahs at Canberra and the Cats host the Reds.

- AP