Richie McCaw's apparent elbow to Francois Louw's head
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw could be cited for elbowing South African flanker Francois Louw in New Zealand's 20-18 win. However if you look closely at the incident it's his hip not his elbow which makes contact.
PT0M49S 620 349London: Richie McCaw could miss the World Cup final if he is deemed to have deliberately elbowed Francois Louw in New Zealand's 20-18 victory over South Africa.
Oh dear. Just saw this. McCaw appears to elbow Louw. This could be messy. https://t.co/IFV4XwMmFW
— Sam Peters (@Sam_sportsnews)
October 24, 2015
Under a shadow: New Zealand's captain Richie McCaw is caught in a ruck during the semi-final. Photo: Christophe Ena
The All Blacks captain struck Louw on the forehead 20 minutes into Saturday's last four showdown at Twickenham, sending the openside flanker reeling with a blow that is sure to interest the citing officer.
Louw finished the match with two wounds to his forehead requiring a total of 20 stitches. When asked how he incurred the cuts, the Bath flanker said: "I'm not sure, I think it was at the bottom of a ruck".
Striking with the elbow - which falls under law 10.4a of dangerous play and misconduct - has a low end sanction of a two-week suspension.
The citing officer has up to 36 hours after the match has ended to lodge a complaint, setting 6am on Monday (local time) as the deadline.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen praised the performance of McCaw and his senior players after the title holders fought back from a 12-7 halftime deficit in their Twickenham semi-final as indiscipline allowed Springbok five-eighth Handre Pollard to kick four penalties.
"I was really proud of the composure our guys showed to come back out (in the second half) and get a little bit of ascendancy," Hansen said.
"Experience allows that to happen. We've probably got the best skipper and player in the world," he said of McCaw, who won his 147th cap.
"It's ironic, in 2007 he was criticised a lot and I know that hurt him. His leadership skills have grown, our leadership group on the pitch have a massive amount of self belief."
McCaw led the New Zealand side beaten by France in the Cardiff quarter-final in 2007 before the All Blacks won their second title at home four years later.
Dan Carter, who surpassed Grant Fox as New Zealand's top World Cup points scorer by taking his tally to 172 on Saturday, won his 111th cap, Ma'a Nonu his 102nd and fellow centre Conrad Smith his 93rd, number eight Kieran Read his 83rd and replacement hooker Keven Mealamu took his tally to 131.
"We've had moments, one obvious one against Ireland, when we have to keep that self belief," Hansen said.
Ireland were on the verge of ending New Zealand's run of successive wins in a calendar year in Dublin in November 2013 at 13 tests before a last-gasp try put the scores level and Aaron Cruden converted at the second attempt for a remarkable 24-22 victory.
Hansen said the accumulated experience of a team with several players with more than 100 caps was crucial in seeing New Zealand pin South Africa back in the second half on Saturday and finally take the lead they would never relinquish with their second try.
"So it's about that process, 'what do we do now? If we get that right, what do we do next?'" Hansen said of game-saving decisions made by his leading players.
PA, Reuters
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