The stupidity of McCaw's offence is not in dispute. That much was obvious when coach Steve Hansen and his embarrassed skipper fronted at their post-match conference. It was a brain explosion right in front of referee Wayne Barnes and an unforgiving Wembley crowd.
I reckon the 143-test veteran spent some time after the test penning some extra notes into the exercise book which accompanies him throughout every season.
His analysis of his reaction would make fascinating reading.
Here's a bloke whose job is to pilfer and protect possession, time after time during a high-velocity impact sport. McCaw has to make an array of decisions as he arrives at any breakdown.
Is he onside, what are his rights to the ball, is it a tackled ball situation, a ruck or a maul? Where are his teammates, is it worth having a go for the ball or are the All Blacks on a warning? Decisions, decisions, decisions.
When McCaw was binned after 30 minutes at Wembley, it was just his third time in 143 tests.
His first exit was in 2006 when referee Dave Pearson sent McCaw to the cooler against Wales in his 48th international. In spite of urgings from some UK press that McCaw should be binned every time he takes the field, he was not back in the naughty chair until 2014 against the Wallabies.
That was test 129 and an eight-year interval. A year and 14 tests later McCaw is back in the bin.
It may be part of the rising trend of dismissals with 12 All Blacks binned between 2008-11 but 25 sent to the cooler since Hansen took over in 2012.
Those who view these issues from a more sinister perspective will suggest it's a sign McCaw is slowing down or that his reaction is a sign of the heat which is following the All Blacks' latest RWC campaign.
