McCaw happy north finally clicked on ELVs

LAWRENCE SMITH/Stuff.co.nz

CLICK: England star Jonny Wilkinson leaves Twickenham after his side was beaten 19-6 by the All Blacks. All England's points were from kicks.

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All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is relieved to see the northern hemisphere is finally waking up to the game's problems.

An analysis of England's Guinness Premiership this week has revealed the number of tries has dropped drastically this year.

Guardian columnist Paul Rees has lamented the state of the game and former England hooker Lee Mears has said the rules are now designed to reward kicking.

Statistics have revealed just 2.2 tries per match have been scored during the autumn test season and just three in the Tri-Nations, the lowest for nine years.

There were 65 kicks a match in the Six Nations and 60 in the Tri-Nations and a big increase in injuries, which has prompted RFU boss Rob Andrew to call for a reexamination of the laws.

On the eve of the All Blacks final test of the year McCaw, who was a big fan of the ELVs dismissed by the north, couldn't help but chuckle.

"They've figured it out aye," the openside said. "I guess it is frustrating we did not all go the same way with things. The fact they are seeing that now, at least they are acknowledging it."

McCaw was clearly staggered that after voting to lock in the new laws for the next two years, the English were now calling for change.

I guess over the next two years thought needs to be had in whether there are things that are going to help. It's interesting coming out now."

McCaw doesn't hide from the fact that he enjoyed playing under the ELVs which allowed referees to use free kicks instead of long arm penalties to punish infringements at the ruck.

"I did enjoy the game [more]. Tests are a little bit different [to the Super 14], but certainly the free kick kept the game flowing... I don't think that was totally the answer, but there's something there that can help a wee bit."

McCaw also weighed in on the length of the season, although he said he was resigned to the long international schedule for the foreseeable future.

"As a whole you look at the season, you know 14 tests, I have said and everyone has said it's too many. But it's the reality of the climate at the moment... there's no point in moaning about it, so you just have to get on with it."

McCaw said he had spoken to the New Zealand Rugby Union's bosses about the situation and realised there was little that can be done.

"They'd love to play less, but that's the reality, so that's the path we have to take. That's [money] a big part of it. But that's a reality of New Zealand rugby."

The All Blacks' players have spoken this week about their mental tiredness after five weeks on the road.

McCaw believed the squad were primed to play France despite a slow start to the week.

"It's been good. I think we've had to balance keeping the guys fresh, but we've achieved what we needed to so the guys are good.

"A lot of the guys played last week, they realise it's another big week. They haven't been too bad and you can see the excitement starting to build yesterday and today."

- © Fairfax NZ News