Richie McCaw's quick-fix idea to help solve one of rugby's most problematic issues

Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw would like to see a stop-clock introduced to rugby during scrum time in a bid to prevent time-wasting.

The two-time World Cup-winning skipper did a question and answer session with fans for World Rugby on social media leading into last month’s World Cup final, and was asked what rule change the sport’s global governing body could implement to help improve the game.

“One of the things I get a bit frustrated by is the way a scrum can eat up a lot of time in the game,” McCaw said in response.

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“If I was going to change something it would be to stop the clock when awarding a scrum and it starts again when the ball comes in. You’d get quite a bit more rugby.”

McCaw was quizzed further about a range of topics during the question and answer session, including his coaching ambitions in the wake of the announcement of Ian Foster as the new All Blacks head coach.

Although he admitted he would like to coach at a junior level at some point in the future, the 38-year-old said he has no serious desire to coach in the professional ranks.

“I think I’d just get too frustrated,” he said.

“As a player I could get out there and do something about it. But when you are a coach I think you have to have a different way of looking at it. But I’d like to coach young kids one day.”

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The 148-test veteran, who was lost month inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame, revealed long-time provincial, Super Rugby and international teammate Dan Carter as the hardest-working player he has ever played alongside.

“The amount of work he used to put in to make sure he was right to play on Saturday meant everyone around him made sure they were doing their little bits. Having his direct things around the field made things pretty easy as a No 7.”

In terms of the toughest opponent he’s ever had to face, McCaw had a lot of respect for former Wallabies pilferer George Smith.

“He was pretty tough and I played him regularly throughout my career,” he said, while also adding that his favourite back row combination to play alongside was with Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read, who he partnered with to win the 2011 and 2015 World Cup titles.

You asked. Richie answered!

Richie McCaw on everything from his toughest opponent to his thoughts on Faf's hair… ? pic.twitter.com/A5STrMtWR8

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) December 16, 2019

After laughing off any chance of an unlikely comeback – “I’d last about 20 seconds I reckon before I was broken these days” – McCaw saved his last answer for a little dig at 2019 World Cup-winning Springboks halfback Faf de Klerk.

When asked for his thoughts on the Sale Sharks star’s trademark mop of blonde hair, McCaw didn’t hold back.

“He’s a back so he obviously does a bit of time in front of the mirror before he gets out there. As a forward we probably just wish we could do the same.”

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