McCaw hopes for consistency

Crusaders skipper calls for consistent refereeing

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 2nd February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

McCaw hopes for consistency

McCaw: Calling for consistency

Perhaps when players are almost on their feet, or getting up there's a wee bit of grey area there and some refs would allow you (to play the ball) and some wouldn't.

Richie McCaw
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Crusaders captain Richie McCaw has called for consistency from referees when applying the new breakdown laws during the impending Super 14 season.

The veteran All Blacks captain and flanker believes good rugby will emerge from the new emphasis on favouring the side in possession, and says accurate teams will profit from the changes.

"It's going to reward players who are really accurate. Perhaps when players are almost on their feet, or getting up there's a wee bit of grey area there and some refs would allow you (to play the ball) and some wouldn't," he said.

"They've said they're going to be pretty strict on it so unless someone who is really accurate gets in and contests the ball, the team with it will keep it and be able to play.

"It's all good in theory it will just be interesting to see how it goes.

"Technically, it would require the ball carrier to do everything right, and that should allow some good rugby to be played.

"Teams that are really accurate and figure that out how to get their breakdown right will be the ones that do pretty well."

Tighter

McCaw also cautioned that teams are likely to play a tighter game when the season gets underway on February 12.

"There's times when that's not possible (running the ball) but you have got to have other things up your sleeve. I think if all teams have that sort of attitude and I know all the guys in teams around New Zealand certainly want to play like that," he said.

"If they can do that, it is going to be good."

The 29-year-old is hoping Crusaders, who have seven Super Rugby titles under their belt, can deliver a strong start to their campaign to build a solid platform for the end-of-season play-offs.

A poor start to the regular season last year saw Crusaders travel to South Africa to face eventual champions the Blue Bulls in the semi-finals, where they fell to a 36-23 defeat.

"The vital thing is to start well because sides can't afford to be chasing all the way," added McCaw.

"It is also important to try and get one of the two top qualifying spots because it was tough having to travel to South Africa for the semi-final (in 2009)."