KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Tuaman (Tokoroa)
Maybe, Maybe not Eddie has latched onto something.The thing is this....The All Blacks lost!So what! Its NZ's own damn fault for putting them up so high in the first place...we have the most skilled talented and abrasive Rugby Union team in the world. They have expectations on themselves to meet the standards already set. NZ Public and media especially hit the panic button straight away, the media is the reason why so many people fail to succeed, what do they know?? they sit at their desks, they don't play the bloody game!! Australia managed NZ,s mistakes better than NZ did and they won fullstop. Move on world. I didn't see much written on the Warriors (once again) yet they won against one of the top of the table teams.
Bleeding All Black in the USA
Why are you giving credence to Eddie Jones' comments on the All Blacks captaincy? He doesn't have anything to say that would be constructive criticism regarding the All Blacks. There is nothing wrong with Richie's captaincy. The team was exhausted. End of story.
The Missionary
Chris Rattue is a hack. When he first started reporting on rugby, the guy could always be relied on to get at least one point of fact wrong.He is tabloid at best and does nothing for this fine newspaper but display an air of arrogance, ignorance and a flair for being stupidly crass. Maybe he should be parked among the boorish fans in Valencia. Write something intelligent would you Rattue - or is that asking a bit too much? We need the Boks - end of story. Go a take a rugby history lesson.
tom
As a loyal wallaby supporter and an admirer of the all blacks i would like to make a few comments on saturdays' test.Jones is old news, the all black forwards did not hunt like a pack of killer whales like normal, they did not belt the aussies off the ball.Speed and mongrel at the breakdown by the aussies was the main reason for mortlocks' influence on the game not the defence of the all black centers.
Sam (Timboon Victoria)
McCaw is still the best person to lead the ABs. He has played better rugby since he took over the captaincy. He just have to be more street wise. It is something McCaw needs to look at. It will make him a better captain.But I strongly believe it wasn't the captain's fault why the ABs lost,it was the same old attitude,"Arrogance". Graham Henry had tried hard to educate the NZ Public, media and rugby critics about attitude. This time, it crept into the players. Why were Byron Kelleher and Carl Hayman smiling when they were getting ready for scrum? And the Aussie commentator was right when commenting about them two being arrogant. No other country plays better rugby than the AB's. But believe me, if you don't get your attitude right, you will not win the upcoming world cup. That was what cost the last three WCs. For McCaw, you did your best mate. You will be a better captain. Don't feel disappointed, that is not the end of the world. Learn from the mistake and move on.When you keep winning, don't let any feeling of complacency creep in, it will bite you harshly. If you can learn from the mistake, you will go on to win the tri-nation and two more WCs.
Strong ABs Supporter
There is no doubt that McCaw missed two tackles which led to the two Aussie tries however we can't just judge a guy by just one performance. It was just one bad day in the office for him but I'm sure he'll be back for the Springbok game next weekend. He's still the best openside flanker in the world - no doubt about this. As for Eddie Jones - face it Eddie. We know you're jealous that Australia does not have such a classy player like McCaw. It's time for you to realise that no one in NZ cares about what you say.
big Old Pete (Sydney)
Every 4 years we look forward to the stench of fear and self doubt that wafts across the ditch. Jones makes a valid point, but Kiwi rugby followers are so afraid of losing again, they've lost the ability to objectively analyse the game.
Jones's point: McCaw plays in the most heavily penalised position on the field, and that reduces his capacity to influence the ref, fire up his team and direct the outcome of the game. It's a fair point.And it's also a wind up, and you guys took the bait.If the fear factor gets any stronger, NZ should consider changing the national bird to the Cormorant - mother nature's favourite choker.
gisborne
If Eddie Jones has the balls to say that McCaw is not good enough, then fine. And lets not forget that he has said some interesting things over the past Super 14 season concerning referees which was spot on. On the other side of the coin lets not that under his tenure as coach, Australia became a team of easy beats. McCaw leads by example, not by mouthing off. But perhaps a few judicial words to the ref about gregans slow out ins to the scrum and some "love abs, hate abs" penalty decisions by the ref enabled Australia to press their slight advantage. I, for one, am totally behind Rithie McCaw as captain and I expect the abs will have taken the lessons on board for the return match. At least McCaw offered no excuses for defeat c.f. with John Smit and Gregan questioning the referees all the time, whingeing like little kids. Although it doesnt happen often the abs take their losses like men, the way it should be.
< Andy (Auckland)
Richie is doing a fine job - Eddie Jones is simply trying to wind him up a bit. Its good for the AB's to have a loss at the moment. They had an off game, kicked badly, tried to throw it around too much in the first half when they should've held on to it & driven it up the middle when the Aussies were clearly struggling. One loss now is trivial in the grand scheme of things and not enough to judge Richie McCaw on - this is a Cup year, the guys need to focus on getting up for the big one.
Monica
Well, I'm an Australian & I went to watch with a bunch of kiwi friends here in Oz & I was pretty much the only Australian in the place.. and despite the fear of being mauled, I was going to be cheering proudly for my guys! Then I saw McCaw & just about traded in my citizenship ... phwoarr! I'm sorry to say it, but patriotism only goes so far & the perv factor outweighed it.
Criticisms on captaincy? Forget them... the more shots of that guy doing anything, the better!
WOJ (Brisbane)
Nothing wrong with Eddie Jones, He speaks his mind and theres nothing wrong with that, I dont like the school teacher coach you fellas have over there in NZ. Richie McCaw will always be No 1 in there eyes and you fellas too, but I wouldnt be concerned about his captaincy being the coaches problem, Its the attitude of the players. When Hayman and Oliver snarl and get smart before they pack down for another scrum instead of intimidating the opposition and buckle them, well the mongrel wasn't there and you better get it back or else you fellas are going to be in a state of depression after Australia win the World Cup again for the 3rd time. I saw major problems with the ABs last Saturday night, Carter, McCaw,need a rest, I'd drop Kellaher,cos hes too slow, Bring Evens in to get the backline functioning again, Howlett,to replace Rico gear, Lauaki is a must for your impact player,Conrad Smith if hes fit,Mealamus confidence isn't there to throw a ball into lineouts, so if you cant handle it mate , you shouldn't be there, Axe him too ! Aussie are too clever for the All Blacks.
All Blacks fan
If the comments are from Eddie Jones - don't take too much notice - his coaching of the Reds explains his competency in giving advice. He somehow thinks he could instil doubts in the All Blacks captaincy and the All Blacks as a whole.
His comments are absolutely useless except he thinks it will cause some doubts in NZ rugby.
Andy (Mackay QLD)
I honestly dont think anybody takes anything Eddie says seriously, and i'd much rather have a hard working composed captain who does an excellent job like McCaw than a shrieking George Gregan who seems more concerned over what everybody else is doing on the field than actually putting in much effort of his own to assist his team in anything other than penalty gains.Also on a side note i was in the queen st mall on sunday and eddie jones was there and much to my delight somebody threw some plastic cutlery at him. Yeah Eddie even in qld nobody wants to hear what you say.
Richie (London)
Come on!! The press won this one, you all bit, awesome! Eddie Jones was sacked from being the Aussie coach because he was useless. His last post of manager of a Super 14 side that lost nearly 100 nil speaks for itself. Why take advice from a loser. He reminds me of Jeremy Gascot who always gets everything wrong. I wait for his comments during the game and then ring up mates, bet against him and haven't lost yet! Jones, you winner! Bring it on!
Pete
Hi,Ritches a gr8t player, & like all talented players he becomes a focused target of the opposition, however his captaincy is rightfully under the spotlight, joins has just fesiciously, remarked on it, Gregan, has always been a obnoxious, in your face, tell me what I want to hear (player)& before he got older & injured a good (player) but the loss on sat; highlighted the personality traits needed in ( winning @ all costs,captaincy , a Fitzy type in your face, mouthy approach brings rewards, as Gregan knows, but Ritche,s actually a (in my opinion, a calm, quite, type of guy, No good in the loud arrogant, world of the no-all,forceful,personality, of the test match, captain.
Simon Lattimer
The wallabies win one match they say now, that they are world beaters, their scrum is a mess, their back line no better, they have a louder mouth than the rest(Greagan)I believe the ABs lost the match in the second half because they changed their defensive pattern and became lazy, nothing wrong with R/M captaincy he has the respect of the team, they were not tired just complacent. The Aussies as they always do at this time of a world cup just try and put mental pressure on the Abs. Its about time someone starting talking about the way the Aussies cheat,and the cheap shots they give the Abs bring it on the Abs are biding their time, they will be back to their best come the Boks test and will give the Aussies a touch up during the Auckland test with Richie leading from the front as he always does.
Richard (USA)
You guys just don't get it. When it's ok for you then no worries, especially Australia who must be the biggest whiners on earth.You did not create the Zanzar deal Louis Lyt (South African) did (Not Moffet), he pioneered professional rugby. SA had the biggest pull on audience than both Aus and NZ, but we split the deal equally in revenue, which if you opened your eyes helped your rugby the last dozen years. Aus said they wanted to put Larkham and others in cotton wool because he was important to the world cup campaign, and we have seen the Aus team without Larkham and a few others perform pretty poorly. The only reason Larkham and Mortlock are playing is because they were injured for half the super 14 or I bet they would have been rested now. I don't want to see my teams stars injured before the world cup, just like you don't want. Besides our 2nd team which toured Europe last year beat England at Twickenham, and I believe they have as good a chance of winning against you as our best team.With travel, SA are a whole lot worse off than you guys and are on the road a lot longer than you.So no problem isolate yourselves to your new low deal television rights, and let SA hook up with the Northern Hemisphere with a much larger pool of cash. In any case most of your stars are playing up North. What you are really going to create is a power rugby tournament, more cash and better value up North. Where do you think the TV companies will put their budget, and yes they have a budget cap? They will put it where they have Millions of viewers not 10's of thousands of viewers. Your young players will then decide to play in Europe. Oh yes you can then continue to rape the islands, (who you call your friends) of their talent. Some friends stealing their best players who you take from school level and up.So bring it on, in fact I hope the boks leave and join the Northern hemisphere tournaments along with Argentina. 8 Nations tournament does not sound that bad. A lot better than the 2 Nations. Feel free isolate yourself, and limit the cash flow to your own Unions.
John Mancer (North Shore)
It is interesting to note that in the last 4 World Cups that the winning sides have all been captained by not only world leading players but players who also have a field presence that sees them influence and consult strongly with referees.Whilst no one can doubt McCaw'a playing skills he does not seem to be forceful on the field in his captaincy as were: Nick Farr-Jones, Martin Johnston & John Eales. All of these players have the communication skills that enabled them to influence referees - while George Gregan is struggling in form he once again showed on Saturday how an experienced player can influence a referee.If McCaw is unable due to age to become this type of player, he needs to be taught how or he needs to be replaced by a figure that can command this respect as an influencer on the field of play.Currently McCaw has a weakness here and the World Cup is no place to be found wanting again for NZ.
Sam (Sydney)
Eddie is a baffoon, not worthy to lick Ritchie's boots, his record in the past 24 months is something like lost 19, won 3 (starting a win over Italy by a point or two and ending with lossing by the highest margin in Super history).Don't be fooled, Rugby is big here in Australia, it still holds the largest crowd figures for any football code in the country 110,000 for a Bledisloe, I had 4 corporate box tickets to the State of Origin game two at the same stadium and couldn't give them away.Few people in NSW or Queensland would have been to an AFL game, no one outside of the Greeks, Italians and Croatians would have been to a soocer game. Every shopping mall gives away free League tickets and they still end up with very small crowds. Super 14 was packed all season despite two top states finish 13th and 14th.It's fact that if you wake up and don't hear the score in any event Australia lost, if an Australian came 5th they would mention it but don't expect to know who came ahead of them. Austalians are only interested in a sport they win. Expect huge interest now they have beaten the ABs (for two weeks anyway).
Joeli Vidiri (Sydney)
Leave McCaw alone ... geez, the ABs lose one game and the world has come crashing down. I would rather see a loss now then in the RWC.All NZers should get a life outside of rugby because life is not only about the ABs winning. Last week it was all praise! praise! praise! after the come from behind win over the Africans then this week, its problem in Centres! problem in Richie! problems in psych ... hey, it may be true but that comes with Sport ... geez, didn't someone tell you that with every win, you get one closer to a loss.All NZers should wake up.Anton Oliver said it last week - 'there's more important things than Rugby'. All Kiwis should support the ABs not be 'spectators' praising the team one week and crucify them the next. Its because our expectations are too high ... that's why the boys can't win another Cup, everyone expects them to waltz on into France and win the thing with a jog ... if we all just relaxed a bit and enjoy the greatness of our current team then we can see things unfold to how we dream.
Sam (Japan)
Captain Tackles is the man!He is a consumate professional in the same mould as Tana was. He knows what he can do and he does it, week-in, week-out! As an openside flanker he has no peer, anywhere. As a captain, his record speaks for itself.....18 tests as captain, 16 victories, 2 losses (1 of those being caused by a brain explosion from Rodney from Petone!).Eddie Jones is only worthy of polishing King Dick the 7th's boots!
Andrew
Presumably pre-occupied with making personal attacks on Eddie Jones, nobody here seems to have picked up on the fact that Eddie's comments were echoed by one John Drake in the New Zealand Herald. So maybe Eddie has a point.
Jason Mc
Perhaps the AB Captain isn't as good when he has to follow the rules like everyone else. It's like the AB's think they are the custodians on following the law and everyone else is wrong.As for Eddie Jones. He gave the overconfident AB's a right old touch up in 2003. I can see why so many replies attack the messenger rather than the message. All good for WC 2007.
watto (Thailand
I have always wondered about Richies captaincy and I still don't think the verdict is out. Sure he is a inspirational player, but captaincy is more than that. In fact he is so good, that equivalent inspiration from other players is just the norm and to be expected from Richie. Its almost like he has to be beaten up a bit until his team actually gets inspired.The game was read to perfection the week previous against the Boks. Take a pounding the 1st 30mins, even it out the 2nd 30 and run them off the park the last 20. But even then, the game was won with few minutes remaining and a yellow card for a bokker. However, there was no excuse for not closing out the Melbourne game and being sucked in (again)by an average Wallaby team. We never learn. The coaches are there to help the captain read the game and take appropriate action accordingly, and I felt they made some bad decisions on Saturday.Firstly, McAlister should not have even been on the field. If they wanted to try someone out against Mortlock, Nonu or Rico Gear would be better options. They pulled Kellehar and Oliver too early, and Nick Evans should have come on after about 65 mins when it was obvious Carter was struggling.The game was not lost because Hayman was carded or because Richie is a bad captain, but because they didn't score in the last 10 minutes before the half, and came out after the break with simply the wrong tactics. Sometime during the break, I think they forgot they were playing a test match.
Nga.na (Alice Springs)
Sorry Eddie thats why Ritchie Is playing and still All Black captain and you mate still coaching, oh bugga are you still coaching, even the Wallabies know they were lucky to win.
blackpearl (syd)
I think Eddie gets paid a dollar every time he opens his mouth.
Taiwan
What a complete wally you are eddie-jones..1 win for the aussies in more than 3 years against the all-blacks..wow big deal..Just as will they sacked you otherwise australian rugby would still be in the dark ages. Eddie engage brain before opening mouth.
Team Rugby NZ
Merely an attempt (and a pathetic one at that) to undermine the All Blacks in World Cup year. Mr Ed (TV programme)the talking horse made more sense.
Huia Gold Coast Aust
Richie McCaw is a good captain and a good player. His downfall is, he is not a loud mouth like Eddie Jones or George Gregan who are arrogant and have got far too much to say for themselves. Gregans mouth is always directed at the ref trying to influence the outcome. Jones is like a dog with out a home and if he was any good as a coach he would have been coaching the wallabies instead of Knuckles. McCaw is careful with his words and he is respectful which is something that is clearly lacking in many sports teams today. He can only get better and has the makings of a great captain further down the track.
Charlie
Eddie is right for the wrong reasons. Fitzy is our yardstick -, hates to lose , a great manipulator of referees, ability to get under opponents skin and still do his job as a hooker . I believe mccraws head is buried too deep in rucks have a broad and accurate tactical overview of the game, 100 per cent of the time. The Abs could learn alot from watching the crusaders videos -consistently tactically outwitting opposition, Maybe talent, and instinct stymies the development of rugby brains - should we revert to a team of lesser skilled caleb ralph's/rueben thornes to nourish the intellectual game?
Fatuatia (Wellington)
Eddie, Just leave McCaw alone.He had lead the All Blacks well.Maybe you is the only one who doesn't respect him.I personally believed that the Referee play a big part in the AB's lost last week.Anyway good luck to Australia this week before the AB will give them a lesson next time.
TRH (Queensland)
I'm a Queenslander, a former kiwi however, so I think I'm qualified to give a balanced view here. Ritchie McKaw is very much like Darren Lockyer, they lead by example. Sport at the elite level is more from the heart and soul than a few mistakes or referees decisions etc. From that point of view I could think of no better person to lead a rugby union side than McKaw. If his enthusiasm, commitment and ability does not inspire his team mates I suggest his team mates look for another side to play in. As for Eddie Jones, his recent record speaks for itself and I would suggest that Ritchie would be amused as a first class player to receive comments from a second class coach.
John St Ives UK
Seeing the match on TV in UK, captaincy did not seem a problem. I did wonder before the match whether two tough matches in one week with the effects of jet lag
might cause problems.
Taniwha666 (Mangapai)
think Eddie Jones was all confused and was watching Matt Dunning with his wonky eye instead of Richie McCaw. Obviously he was searching with his good eye closed and mistook Richies blinding speed to the breakdown for Fat Matt's charge to the sideline for a frequent raid to the 4'n' twenty stand for another couple of pies. Obviously the new scrum laws were devised in conjunction with Jenny Craig and OSh so as to level the playing field and further over complicate an already over ruled game by a bunch of show pony Ref's. I mean how else can someone like Fat Splat Dunning compete on the same field as a legend like Richie. We need more parity on the field with consistent refereeing and commonsense rules to allow the cream to rise to the top and not have a cyclops and a butter ball compete in a way that spoils a game that demands excellence, and drags down the top to their lowly level.
smaaxrichie
I'm a Bok thru and thru, but I will admit that Richie is a great captain. A man knows that there are battles that matter, and those that dont. I'm quite sure he would've preferred to win that match, but it happens. Everyone has off days, and for all his skill, his superhuman performances, Richie is still a man and now & then he will have a not so great day. And if one has watched his matches, we would all agree that he leads by example, and proves you don't have to be a brash loudmouthed badass (read Gregan) to lead a team to victory. So Eddie, if u looking for flaws, u might wanna start in ur own backyard. We smaak Richie. nuff said.
Kevin Lassen
Whilst it is never good to lose a test match, Saturday's was probably the "best" one to forfeit this year. In the grand scheme of things, as long as the AB's win their remaining home fixtures, the Tri-nations and Bledisloe trophies won't be going far any time soon. If the Wallabies are given a good seeing to in a fortnight, any thoughts of psychological advantage will soon be forgotten. Deep down even the most myopic Ocker must realise that every ball bounced in their court in Melbourne - the weather, the ref, home crowd, 50/50 calls for their woeful scrummaging, and an All Black team that could hardly play worse if they tried. New Zealand did more to lose this test match than anything Australia did to win it. To my mind this is markedly different to the other RWC years where Australia have imposed themselves on NZ in matches leading up to the tournament starting (7-28 in 1999 and 12-21 in 1991).The other positive about a loss now is that should New Zealand have won all of their matches this year, they would be playing for a world record 18th consecutive victory in the WRC Final - even more unnecessary pressure for a team carrying the burden of expectation.One more thing. Byron Kelleher please note - a halfbacks primary role should be distribution. Stop taking the ball into contact so often! You're becoming too predictable and often stifling better chances of attack further out.
Adam
Yes there is something wrong with Ritchie McCaw as captain. On Saturday night he was anonymous and seemed a by-stander as the All Blacks were beaten. He reminded me of Taine Randell in another famous game that we lost to the French in a similar style. When the tide turns against your team, a captain needs to snap them back into focus, give inspiration and structure. No one seemed to do this better than Sean Fitzpatrick and I think he was our last great All Black Captain. Another who did this was Martin Johnson. Compare McCaw with these two and you can see that he not in the same league and he needs to be if we are to win the world cup. ( yes I know fitzpatrick didn't win a world cup but we all remember why ).
polopo
Why does the media even print anything that Eddie Jones has to say? The guy came last in the super 14! Is it not obvious that he knows very little about rugby?
The Allblacks loose one game and he thinks he has a right to call our captain useless. Well Eddie, I'd just like to call you useless for ever game your team has lost this year.
Bella
Eddie Jones is just trying to stir up controversy, he knows full well, that Richie McCaw is not only and outstanding captain, but also arguably the best player in union at the moment, (albeit not on form in the wallaby game). The whole point of Jones making his comments is to seem controversial and get his name on peoples lips so he is not forgotten and to boost his media career. He probably also has some merchandise coming out soon that he'll be looking to tout. I find it insulting to players, fans and families/loved ones of players that people like Eddie Jones feel the need to criticize certain people to put thenselves back in the spotlight. Having been in the position himself, he should know better. Of course he is entitled to his opinion, and if it was warranted, or fair, then fine. However in this case it is neither and he is well aware of that. I normally hold my tongue in regards to comments of this nature as I don't believe it deserves any further coverage, but this comment made my blood boil, so I guess, Eddie has achieved his aim and got the attention of many.
Ben
Yup, it's the best way to develop cohesion in the sport. Bigger isn't always better. We need to be able to follow our teams game by game through a efficient and intense season. Sure the Boks won this year. Good for them, but who actually watched the semi's and final? Not me. I only get up that early for Test matches!
Mark Berghan
I agree that the Super 14 needs a revamp (I particularly like the idea of including Pacific Island teams); but it should be kept smaller with a shorter season (maximum 10 teams in total). The rugby viewing public just gets overloaded in the current format! But what I would also love to see is the rebirth of the North - South games; they could be run along a State of Origin format. What it would do is remind the viewing public that All Blacks start off in teams like Horowhenua, Northland and Buller, and that cannot be a bad thing for the provinces. And as Chris mentions, there is nothing wrong with a bit of tribalism and rivalry within the sport.
Bruce
Like it or not we need the 'boks and we need Argentina too. SANZAR should be SAANZAR, the official body of southern hemisphere rugby with its own rules and regulations. There is power and influence in numbers. Having just three nations has always been problematic, and we're seeing another example of that now and not for the first time). Professional rugby is not sustainable with just NZ and Australia, the market is simply too small. Go with that plan and within a generation all our rugby talent would be playing in Europe. The so-called travel factor is a non-issue and better evened out with Argentina in the mix especially from a South African perspective as well as a New Zealand perspective seeing as it's closer to us than South Africa is.
Mark
About the comment of North Harbour having a team in the Super 14 or Australasian competition. I think this is a great idea, I have never thought it to be right us harbour players supporting the blues and have always felt harbour are outcasts in this competition, thus I have never been that passionate about Super 12. We were the 2ND best team in the country when Super 12 began and they cut us a super raw deal. Bring back the battle of the bridge rivalry, North Harbour doesn't like Auckland never have never will lets bring back the clashes we used to have. eg 1994 NPC final.
Lewis
No NZ and Australia can't go it alone. Why not introduce Argentina to replace South Africa in the Tri-Nations and let South Africa still play in the Super 14. Considering the amount of talent available to Australia and the amount the players will be getting paid might be greatly reduced if we get rid of South Africa. Australia don't get enough TV nu