INSIDE: Need for speed Sport B13

Sports Editor: Greg Ford Contact: [email protected] 03 943 2752 THE PRESS, CHRISTCHURCH Friday, January 13, 2012 B16

RUGBY McCaw is still ‘I don’t want to make on the easy list

Matt Richens

The most famous foot in New Zealand is on the mend but Richie McCaw will miss ‘‘at least the first few’’ games. any mistakes again’ McCaw was walking with no sign of pain at ’ Matt Richens training yesterday and the All Black skipper said he should says staying be running again next month. sober for a year is going to be ‘‘I’ve had a few weeks off hard, but he knows it’s a must crutches now and been back after hitting ‘‘rock bottom’’. doing some cross-training and When the 22-year-old it seems to be going all right.’’ should have been enjoying the He’s been spotted at a afterglow of the All Blacks’ number of different pools Rugby World Cup win, late around the South Island doing last year he was in the lengths over the holiday headlines for all the wrong period and has spent plenty of Richie McCaw reasons after a booze-fuelled time on the bike. night in Rarotonga where he He’s itching to get back, that were involved and every walked naked and bleeding but just when McCaw will other guy is worried about the into a bar before getting into a return to the field for what Crusaders and this side doing stoush with patrons. will be his 12th Super well. His public fall from grace campaign remains up in the So we have to make sure led Crusaders coach Todd air. we’re worried about that and Blackadder to warn the Super The Crusaders have a bye not focusing on the past. We Rugby campaign was ‘‘no Stretching in the fourth round and have to move on because the second-chance saloon’’ for the out: Crusaders McCaw hinted that extra teams from South Africa and talented wing who was sus- wing Zac week off might be necessary Australia sure won’t care pended for three pre-season Guildford and that he’d return for the about it.’’ games and one Super match. trains with the side’s week five clash against While the side talked down Clearly nervous about Crusaders at the Cheetahs at Rugby League the impact of having to leave speaking to the media Rugby Park in Park. Christchurch for every game yesterday at Rugby Park, Christchurch. ‘‘We’ll just have to wait last season, following the Guildford said he’d ‘‘definite- He is and see,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m February 22 earthquake and ly’’ learnt his lesson and that recovering reluctant to put a time on it the damage that caused to it was time to grow up. from a groin but things are progressing AMI Stadium, McCaw said he ‘‘I think I have’’ he said. injury. how they should.’’ was rapt to have a home ‘‘It’s a pretty tough lesson Photo: JOSEPH McCaw was one of several venue sorted for 2012. to learn but I think you have JOHNSON/ injured returning All Blacks He said the side had to to hit rock bottom to bounce FAIRFAX NZ who sat out part of Crusaders ignore it last year because back up. I don’t want to make training yesterday. they had no choice, but any mistakes again.’’ While McCaw and his doubted even his side could He said the end of 2011 had Guildford’s new catchphrase, ‘‘I don’t want to make the ‘‘I didn’t realise how high groin injury and took only a And he’s still got his sense fellow All Blacks are no doubt have done it again. been a dreadful time for him, but one that must please same mistakes I’ve made in profile I was and that I was in limited part in the Crusaders’ of humour. still getting pats on the back ‘‘I don’t think you could do but he was looking forward to Blackadder and the NZRU. the past. the spotlight so much,’’ training yesterday but When asked what his non- and the odd free pint from the it two years in a row and it’s playing with the Crusaders. He’s promised to lay off the ‘‘I just want to be a good Guildford said. expects to be fit before his alcoholic drink of choice was, general public, the second nice to know we’re going to ‘‘I was right down in the booze completely for the rugby player and a good ‘‘I just thought I could do suspension ends, and be he replied: ‘‘If I’ve had a feed World Cup-winning All Black have games at home.’’ dumps and I didn’t know Crusaders’ campaign. person.’’ the things my mates did and available for the Crusaders’ then I like to drink Coke Zero skipper said the memories of McCaw was joined on the where I was going or what I However, because of his He knows how much he what I’d always done at second-round game against but if I’m just kicking about that win had to be shelved sidelines yesterday by Zac was doing there for a while,’’ history of drinking, it would has to lose and knows a slip- school. the Highlanders in Dunedin then I’m happy with the old within the Crusaders’ Guildford, Corey Flynn and he said. be difficult, he said. up would likely lead to the ‘‘I now know it’s time for on March 3. Pump [water] bottle. environment. who were all on ‘‘[But] I think being in this ‘‘I think it’ll be pretty NZRU ripping up his contract. me to grow up.’’ He’d been nervous of his ‘‘Actually, I’d better say ‘‘You have to realise that limited workloads but environment will improve me tough because I haven’t gone But the eight-test All Black ‘‘I’m turning into a big boy treatment from the public, but the Richie McCaw water that’s done,’’ he said. Crudasers coach Todd Black- as a person.’’ a whole year without said he’d learnt his lesson and now, I’m 23 in a month.’’ said it had been largely because he’s my and I ‘‘You come back here and adder said none were major Improving as a person is drinking before but we’ll see. changed his ways. Guildford is nursing a positive. want to play this season.’’ there’s only half a dozen guys concerns.

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AT A GLANCE

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