Episode 9 (S3) Richie McCaw on Australia's best flankers, the Deans era and more

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

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Rob Dunn (0:28)

Kia ora whanau, welcome to the All Blacks Podcast powered by SAP. New Zealander Joe Smitt has taken over the reins of the Wallaby Rugby site, the third New Zealander to be the head coach of the Australian team. So I thought we'd take a trip down memory lane to the very first time this happened, all the way back in 2008, when today's guest was just 27 years old, I think, and a man that he had been coached by at the Crusaders, Robbie Deans, became the first Kiwi to coach the Aussies. welcome to the pod, Richie MCaw. How you going, mate?

Richie McCaw (0:56)

Very good, thanks, yeah. That seems to be a while ago now, 2008

Rob Dunn (1:00)

It does. Every time I chat to you, mate, these memories are just that little bit further away, but I'll ask to see what you can dig up. Firstly, mate, what's going on? It's always good to have a chat first. Like, is it, have we got some big events on the horizon, or are we just an Uber service for the girls? Like, what's taking up the majority of your time?

Richie McCaw (1:19)

Oh, yeah, three young kids keeps things fairly busy. Not quite at the stage where, you know, sport's taken over yet, but it'll be coming, I'm sure. But yeah, I got a few things keeping us busy, and yeah, in terms of events, nothing too major on the horizon. Going to do the Coast to Coast next year again, that's in the plan, so the scheme's like sticking over during the winter months to make sure I turn up in a reasonable shape then.

Rob Dunn (1:48)

Yeah, I've no doubt that you're doing all of that. And you're saying the girls, are they starting to get into a little bit of sport?

Is it a hockey stick or is it a bit of cross country? Or is there a little bit of organized sports starting to get on the radar for some of the girls?

Richie McCaw (2:02)

Yeah, my oldest is five and a half, and she's started sort of Saturday morning hockey, which is...

Rob Dunn (2:11)

What do you got to offer there, Rich?

Richie McCaw (2:13)

Well, I'm zero. I don't offer anything. But Jim would probably say that she chose it, that the girls chose it, but I guess it was encouraging in that way, but all their friends are playing it. So it was really cool. It's great to watch them get out and about and run around. So yeah, that's the start of that side of things with young kids.

Rob Dunn (2:37)

And what are we seeing? Any characteristics from mum and dad? Is she got a big motor or is she all aggression?

You know, like is a bit of back chat or you know, what's, you know, any traits coming through?

Richie McCaw (2:50)

Nah, not that I could notice. Like just looked like all the other kids out there running around. There was nothing that you'd pick out was anything different. But I think the big thing that you realize as long as they got a smile on their face and out there with their friends, that's what it's all about. And until you actually see that, you know, it sort of reinforces what you kind of know in the back of your mind, that how good sport is for camaraderie, getting out, getting fresh air, getting some exercise, all those sort of things. And learning to be, you know, learning something along the way, that's what it's all about, isn't it?

Rob Dunn (3:31)

Absolutely. Look, I love asking people like yourself this sort of question, particularly as the Olympics have just been, but like, did you watch a bit of it? And were there some events in particular you enjoyed or took in or admired the athletes and how they went about their business?

Richie McCaw (3:47)

I really enjoy a lot of all the sports that you can watch. But I guess, you know, we're from a New Zealand perspective, you know, try and try to catch as much as I could. Like the rowing and the kayaking, pretty amazing. Those guys and girls, what they achieved. I think one of the things I, you know, had a wee bit to do with some guys in the rowing, like if you want to know what training tough, big tough and training hard is, go and see what those guys do. Like, man, they know how to empty the tank.