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20th Match - New Zealand v Australia
- Thread starter Zinzan
- Start date
Can he read?
Zinzan
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Want some sensationalism? Try this for size... from Australian news website news.com.au 
Cricket World Cup 2015: Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum could have been an All Blacks star
BLACK Caps captain Brendon McCullum holds the key to breaking a New Zealand World Cup drought over the next month, but incredibly he could have done the same thing four years ago for the All Blacks.
Dan Carter — an icon of New Zealand and the premier No.10 in world rugby — was reduced to bench warmer status in the South Island secondary schools rep team back in 2000.
Why?
Because McCullum was the one calling the shots at starting five-eighth.
The Telegraph UK tells a story that McCullum’s rugby talent was so worrying to New Zealand cricket that one day when desperately trying to borrow a pair of football boots, then selector Sir Richard Hadlee advised the teenager’s friends not to lend him any.
For more than 13 years now McCullum has lined up his big hits with a cricket bat instead, so one can only wonder how much more miserable life would have been for the Wallabies had he stayed in rugby.
McCullum’s decision to chase his Black Caps dream could bring the opener a World Cup medal, albeit in a different sport.
Carter was injured in 2011 when the All Blacks ended two and a half decades of national mourning to lift the Web Ellis Cup at Eden Park.
But the underdog mission led by McCullum is gathering serious momentum as the Black Caps prepare to face Australia at the same venue on Saturday in a trans-Tasman cricket clash for the ages.
If the little brothers of New Zealand sport can lift the World Cup trophy on March 29 at the MCG, it would do wonders for cricket in the rugby-obsessed country.
And it begs the question that if Carter is considered a sporting God in the land of the long white cloud, what will that make McCullum should the Black Caps go all the way?
McCullum has enjoyed overwhelming success since he took the reins as Black Caps captain in 2012, but when he was initially appointed under controversial circumstances as Ross Taylor’s replacement he was one of the most condemned athletes in New Zealand sport.
Perceived as arrogant and even lacking in integrity, McCullum — who is greatly respected by Australian players — showed his toughness and stuck to what he believed in.
“When it started I knew it was going to be tough,” McCullum said in an interview earlier this month.
“Not everyone agreed with the decision (to remove Taylor) so I took over the job in extreme circumstances but felt I was the best candidate and the situation wasn’t beyond repair.
“The first thing I did was crunch down what I believed was important to the team. What did we want to be known for?
“What were the key things people want to see when we play? As a result we’ve developed better fighting qualities.”
McCullum isn’t the biggest man, so playing rugby in the front-line would have required plenty of courage.
Coach Mike Hesson says that sums up the leadership qualities of his close ally.
“He’s willing to throw everything on the line, including his body at times,” said Hesson.
“He leads by example on and off the park and expects excellence from his team.
“The guys respect that and they enjoy playing for him.”
Shane Watson says Australia like their chances against McCullum because he’s “high risk”, but they are equally wary of his devastating ability to take a game away from the opposition.
The Wallabies haven’t beaten New Zealand at the Eden Park graveyard since 1986 — so it’s scary to think that for a fair portion of that time the best general in the All Blacks system might have been playing cricket.
On Saturday night, the lack of goalposts will give Michael Clarke’s Australia more hope than their sorry rugby counterparts.
But the bad news is McCullum will be there leading from the front.
Cricket World Cup 2015: Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum could have been an All Blacks star
BLACK Caps captain Brendon McCullum holds the key to breaking a New Zealand World Cup drought over the next month, but incredibly he could have done the same thing four years ago for the All Blacks.
Dan Carter — an icon of New Zealand and the premier No.10 in world rugby — was reduced to bench warmer status in the South Island secondary schools rep team back in 2000.
Why?
Because McCullum was the one calling the shots at starting five-eighth.
The Telegraph UK tells a story that McCullum’s rugby talent was so worrying to New Zealand cricket that one day when desperately trying to borrow a pair of football boots, then selector Sir Richard Hadlee advised the teenager’s friends not to lend him any.
For more than 13 years now McCullum has lined up his big hits with a cricket bat instead, so one can only wonder how much more miserable life would have been for the Wallabies had he stayed in rugby.
McCullum’s decision to chase his Black Caps dream could bring the opener a World Cup medal, albeit in a different sport.
Carter was injured in 2011 when the All Blacks ended two and a half decades of national mourning to lift the Web Ellis Cup at Eden Park.
But the underdog mission led by McCullum is gathering serious momentum as the Black Caps prepare to face Australia at the same venue on Saturday in a trans-Tasman cricket clash for the ages.
If the little brothers of New Zealand sport can lift the World Cup trophy on March 29 at the MCG, it would do wonders for cricket in the rugby-obsessed country.
And it begs the question that if Carter is considered a sporting God in the land of the long white cloud, what will that make McCullum should the Black Caps go all the way?
McCullum has enjoyed overwhelming success since he took the reins as Black Caps captain in 2012, but when he was initially appointed under controversial circumstances as Ross Taylor’s replacement he was one of the most condemned athletes in New Zealand sport.
Perceived as arrogant and even lacking in integrity, McCullum — who is greatly respected by Australian players — showed his toughness and stuck to what he believed in.
“When it started I knew it was going to be tough,” McCullum said in an interview earlier this month.
“Not everyone agreed with the decision (to remove Taylor) so I took over the job in extreme circumstances but felt I was the best candidate and the situation wasn’t beyond repair.
“The first thing I did was crunch down what I believed was important to the team. What did we want to be known for?
“What were the key things people want to see when we play? As a result we’ve developed better fighting qualities.”
McCullum isn’t the biggest man, so playing rugby in the front-line would have required plenty of courage.
Coach Mike Hesson says that sums up the leadership qualities of his close ally.
“He’s willing to throw everything on the line, including his body at times,” said Hesson.
“He leads by example on and off the park and expects excellence from his team.
“The guys respect that and they enjoy playing for him.”
Shane Watson says Australia like their chances against McCullum because he’s “high risk”, but they are equally wary of his devastating ability to take a game away from the opposition.
The Wallabies haven’t beaten New Zealand at the Eden Park graveyard since 1986 — so it’s scary to think that for a fair portion of that time the best general in the All Blacks system might have been playing cricket.
On Saturday night, the lack of goalposts will give Michael Clarke’s Australia more hope than their sorry rugby counterparts.
But the bad news is McCullum will be there leading from the front.
Zinzan
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Dick Rockett
International Vice-Captain
Give yourself an uppercut for that.
kiwiviktor81
International Debutant
Schoolboy rugby is one thing. Carter must have 6 inches and 25kg on McCullum now though.
hendrix
Hall of Fame Member
I agree that schoolboy rugby is no guarantee of anything, but he still has 25kg on Cruden yet Cruden is currently the better player...
That said, no first five has ever or will ever touch 2003-2008 Carter.
kiwiviktor81
International Debutant
I think it's closer to 15kg on Cruden. Agree that no-one's getting close to mid 2000s Carter though.
In any case, it's a moot point as Cruden is much bigger than McCullum.
In any case, it's a moot point as Cruden is much bigger than McCullum.
Last edited:
Zinzan
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Why? It's a common term used in both business & sport commentary these days. Is 'proposition' too big word for you or something tins?
Zinzan
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Yeah, either way, that article was sensationalism at it's very worst...
Not only presuming that McCullum would have made the senior ABs team, but assuming he would have been better than arguably the best first 5 of all-time. Absurd.
Dick Rockett
International Vice-Captain
Haha, maybe.Why? It's a common term used in both business & sport commentary these days. Is 'proposition' too big word for you or something tins?
It's a business weasel word, intended to sound impressive and obscure the fact that the user is bull****ting. It can easily be substituted for something far simpler and that makes actual sense. You could've left 'proposition' out of your sentence entirely.
Other odious examples are 'key' used as an adjective, when 'important' would do, and (ugh) 'learnings' for 'lessons' or lessons learnt'.
I realise I'm ranting here, but I have to listen to this **** every day.
Anyway, NZ are gonna win. Weather's looking good and I can't wait to hear "Warner's a wanker!" C'mon Auckland, make yourself useful!
ankitj
Hall of Fame Member
Huge praise from Hadlee: Southee, Boult NZ's best ever new-ball pair - Hadlee | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo
Really love hearing the great man whenever he speaks up.
Really love hearing the great man whenever he speaks up.
