This is the aftermath that was caused by Dave Ellis on Friday after they realised what he had let out of the bag. In the original interview he spoke of getting him in a maul. Letâs just hope that they donât return to their old ways & a good hard clean game is had. France not out to maim 'legend' McCaw France will not be looking to target All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw in Sunday's Rugby World Cup final despite claims to the contrary from their defence coach. France defence coach Dave Ellis told reporters on Friday that he was hoping McCaw, whose participation in the tournament has been hampered by a nagging foot injury, would not see out the final at Eden Park. "It would be nice from our point of view if McCaw struggled to stay on the field, as he did in 2007. "Can we get to him? I'd like to think so. Someone will stand on his foot, no doubt," the Yorkshireman said. But France captain Thierry Dusautoir says the All Blacks have more threats around the park than just the inspirational 30-year-old. "We are going to have 15 problems on the pitch tomorrow and not necessarily just Richie McCaw we're aware we have a lot of work to do but there is no question he is a vital player for the All Blacks," he said. Dusautoir, who will lead France for the 26th time in his 49th Test match, scored the first of their two tries in their quarter-final win over the All Blacks four years ago and also made a remarkable 38 tackles in the 20-18 upset. McCaw has great respect for the Ivory Coast-born Dusautoir, who turns 30 next month, and the feeling is mutual. "He is a legend in this sport. He has more than 100 caps for the All Blacks and has captained them for six or seven years. I have respect for him and this will go on and on but we have a lot of players we have to respect." Dusautoir is one of six players nominated for the International Rugby Board's played of the year award, a title McCaw has been awarded three times, but one he is yet to own although Monday's award ceremony was far from his mind. "It was a surprise for me, I was delighted to be on the list but what it is more important for me is the match tomorrow." http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/10716452/france-not-out-to-maim-legend-mccaw/
I'm sure that McCaw is streetwise enough to know that if he has a potential weakness, and the French know about it, then there's a good possibility that they will target him. IMO, Ellis is not telling McCaw, or the Blacks, anything they don't already know. However, perhaps Mr Ellis should learn to be a little more cautious with his comments.
