Richie McCaw will lead the defending champions out for the World Cup final on Hallowe’en night, but not before he received a bit of a fright.
The All Blacks captain was his typically imperious self in New Zealand’s nervy 20-18 win over South Africa on Saturday, but one first-half incident in particular – missed by virtually all viewers – came to dominate the aftermath.
The debate over whether or not McCaw would be cited for a perceived elbow on Francois Louw generated headlines around the world and confirmed that #RWC2015 is the first Rugby World Cup to be truly influenced by social media.
It all began not long after the match finished when Irish rugby writer Andy McGeady shared a vine.
20 minutes in, McCaw takes a tight line and clips the famous Louw corner.https://t.co/OGRyrBDB25
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) October 24, 2015
That vine was shared by a voluble rugby pundit with lots of followers and lots of opinions.
https://twitter.com/brianmoore666/status/658002761552953344
@Steve4Quins @andymcgeady I'm very tired of the mis-use of that term. Goodbye.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) October 24, 2015
It wasn’t long before the messenger was taking flak, so said pundit offered his definitive opinion to quieten the masses.
McCaw – players rarely do anything by accident but that vine doesn't prove intent & he shouldn't be cited on it.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) October 24, 2015
On Sunday, the day of the Australia-Argentina semi-final, the possible McCaw-Louw incident was still generating conversation.
"The @rugbyworldcup final needs Richie McCaw!" The @btsportrugby team defend @AllBlacks' captain over alleged elbow. https://t.co/lwKj22bLKn
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) October 25, 2015
Despite no word from World Rugby on the possibility of a citing, McCaw’s coach Steve Hansen found himself discussing the matter at his press conference on Sunday.
Steve Hansen not concerned about so-called McCaw incident. "Nothing in it." #RWC2015
— Emma Keeling (@EmmaKeelingNZ) October 25, 2015
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen refuses to buy into talk that Captain Richie McCaw could be banned from the World Cup final due to foul play.
— Newshub (@NewshubNZ) October 25, 2015
Meanwhile Twitter users were having fun as the world waited for word from the citing officer.
https://twitter.com/neilfissler/status/658002328503656448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Nervous wait for Francois Louw for 3rd/4th place game after his head made contact with Richie McCaw elbow!!! #citing#rwc15#consistency
— Kevin Dobbs (@dobbsyk) October 24, 2015
#BREAKING Richie McCaw to be cited for an elbow on Ben Smith. #RSAvNZL #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/tMDHxSyI4k
— iamjonnyking™ (@iamjonnyking) October 25, 2015
Despite the original footage appearing to be far from conclusive, there emerged the rugby “Zapruder Film” that would exonerate McCaw.
Richie McCaw 'elbow' video: New footage appears to clear New Zealand captain ahead of Rugby World Cup final https://t.co/qpx3UNyAYj
— Daily Mail Rugby U (@MAILrugbyunion) October 25, 2015
As others, such as the TV3 panel, backed the World Cup-winning captain.
Thank God for a bit of sense from #keithwood and @MattRCNM dismissing the notion that Richie McCaw could be cited for Louw incident.
— Pat Geraghty (@patgeraghty54) October 25, 2015
About 25 hours after the storm first started brewing, the citing report was made public, exonerating McCaw and confirming his eligibility to face Australia.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will be clear to play in #RWC2015 Final – World Rugby's announced no citings from #NZL win over South Africa
— John Cushing (@JohnCushing_) October 25, 2015
Even if some media outlets continued to use suggestive pictures on their stories.
Richie McCaw won't be cited for ‘elbowing’ Springbok Francois Louw and is clear to skipper the ABs for #RWCFinal. pic.twitter.com/TtsYd82yt5
— EatSleepRugby (@eatsleeprugby) October 26, 2015
.@AllBlacks captain Richie McCaw will be free to play in the final after being cleared of striking. #9MorningNews pic.twitter.com/37yIrfsQ9L
— 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) October 26, 2015
On social media there was anger with the newspapers for reporting on a story that had its origins on social media.
https://twitter.com/guywilliamsguy/status/658399424947744768
But some were not going to let McCaw’s innocence get in the way of a good joke.
Meanwhile Richie McCaw parks his car. World Rugby fines owner of white car for not rolling away. #RWC2015 #allblacks pic.twitter.com/RY89ZrR7Pe
— Tom Wald (@tomwald76) October 25, 2015
Richie McCaw cleared of elbowing Francois Louw. Didn't look like an offence, but even if it was, he would have been cleared because its him
— MikeyRoss (@MikeRossP) October 25, 2015
Of course Richie McCaw wasn't suspended. It's Richie McCaw… #RWC2015
— Rewster (@Rewster7) October 25, 2015
After the whole thing died down both teams could turn their attention to first ever all-Antipodean World Cup final, even if the ABs have been much more quiet than the Wallabies.
Cheik's a happy chap at today's Press Conference! Check out the gallery at https://t.co/okaN4vh7nv #StrongerAsOne pic.twitter.com/jJVVuTTAjN
— Wallabies (@wallabies) October 26, 2015
With one final game remaining, now is the time to gear up and support your #AllBlacks: https://t.co/00PfKeSYKx pic.twitter.com/no7FVDBmqD
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 25, 2015
