Share

McCaw to test broken ribs

Wellington - Captain Richie McCaw entered the annals of New Zealand rugby folklore by playing in the 2011 Rugby World Cup with a broken foot but the pain was nothing compared to taking on England last month with fractured ribs.

McCaw, who makes his return for the Crusaders in their Super Rugby semi-final against the South African Sharks on Saturday, played part of the second Test and all of the third in pain.

"By the end of that third Test I was pretty sore," he told The Press newspaper in Christchurch. "With an injured foot it doesn't hurt when you go into contact - it is only when you are running.

"With the foot it didn't even enter my mind...towards the end of that World Cup. But with the ribs I knew towards the end of the game it was going to cause me a couple of weeks being laid-up - I paid for it afterwards."

The 33-year-old McCaw, who said he had trouble sleeping after the third Test, sat out the Crusaders' final three Super Rugby matches of the regular season to allow the injury to heal.

The Crusaders' bye in the first week of the playoffs then gave him an additional week to alleviate any trepidation he may have had about going into contact against a bruising Sharks pack.

McCaw told coach Todd Blackadder that had he any fears about forcing himself back on to the field he would have told him so because he did not want to compromise the team's performance.

It was a similar approach he had with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen during the Test series against England, he added.

"If I was going out there and worried about going into contact I wouldn't have played," said McCaw who will start at blindside flank on Saturday.

"As the game went on I got a few whacks and it got a bit worse. I wasn't hesitant about contact and felt it was a good decision to play."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1271 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1469 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2240 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE