The Open Side

by Richie McCaw, Greg McGee

From the time his father told him as a child that 'he would enjoy his rugby more if he got fitter', Richard Hugh McCaw never looked back.
Captain of the All Blacks since 2006, he is the face of rugby in New Zealand and one of our best known and most admired figures.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Richard Hugh McCaw is a retired New Zealand rugby union player. He captained the national team, the All Blacks, in 110 out of his 148 test matches, and won two Rugby World Cups. He is the most capped test rugby player of all time, and has won the World Rugby player of the year award a joint record three times.

McCaw was the first All Black to reach 100 caps, and the first rugby union player to win 100 tests. He is the most-capped player in rugby union history with 148 caps, having overtaken Brian O'Driscoll's record in 2015. McCaw has also equaled the record for most appearances at the Rugby World Cup with Jason Leonard.

McCaw predominantly played in the openside flanker position for the New Zealand, Crusaders and Canterbury teams, but also played as a blindside flanker and no. 8. During McCaw's career, Canterbury won the NPC (later Mitre10 Cup) five times, and the Crusaders won four Super Rugby titles. In addition to winning two world cups, the All Blacks won seven Tri-Nations titles, completed three successful Grand Slam tours and won the Bledisloe Cup eight times.

He made his debut in 2001 for the Crusaders, and was selected for the All Blacks' 2001 end-of-year tour, despite having played only eight minutes of Super 12 rugby. His debut for New Zealand was against Ireland, where he was awarded man-of-the-match. McCaw became a regular selection for New Zealand, only missing a few games due to recurring concussions. In 2004 he was appointed captain of the All Blacks, whom he led at the 2007 World Cup. After their elimination in the quarter-finals, his captaincy came under criticism, but he was retained and eventually led the team to consecutive world cup titles in 2011 and 2015, becoming one of only twenty players who have won two rugby union world cups.

Reviews

[Wayne Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seriously enjoyed reading this book. While I do not normally read biographies I had to read this one, given my vivid memories of the RWC and my overwhelming relief when it was over. I felt it was my duty as a kiwi to read it in order to understand the background to that emotional time. I was not disappointed. The story is written in a non nonsense sort of way that I could imagine Richie doing so himself, focusing on the action and less on what was going on around him. I felt some of the ‘tunnel’ described by him if only as a faint shadow of what the reality must have been like. The intensity of his focus is incredible. Every kiwi should read this book to best understand the great man and the game most of us adore. And for those that reside beyond our shores, it is a way of getting a look into the religion that we kiwis call rugby. We kiwis do not have many heroes. You have to do something special – climb a bloody big mountain, or crack open an atom or two – and Richie’s up there too. For giving us back something that we’d thought we had lost forever.
Thank you.

[Brodief · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to read the book "Richie McCaw - The Open Side" because I had received the book as a Christmas present and was interested to learn more about Richie McCaw and about the Rugby World Cup.

On the bingo board this book covers the category of an autobiography. I was interested to read an autobiography about Richie McCaw because I enjoy all things rugby so I didn't think it would be too much of a hard read.

The main character in the book is of course Richie McCaw. It was interesting to learn more about Richie McCaw the rugby player and the All Black captain. I also learnt that he is very intelligent and has done very well academically and he also loves to fly gliders. He has been very successful and is a great role model.

My favourite quote from the book was "This jersey will show up the frauds, the imposters. It'll squeeze those who look for short cuts. You won't last in this jersey if you're not prepared to do the things you need to do to fill it". - Richie McCaw. This was a quote used by Richie McCaw when he was talking to the All Black team. I think Richie was trying to get across how important it was to wear the All Black jersey with respect but that you need to go the extra mile to hold onto the jersey and to do it justice. Only 110% effort will be okay.

Something I learnt from the book is how hard the life of an All Black is - that they work really hard and a lot is expected of them both on and off the field. I also did not realise the level of pain Richie was in with his foot leading up to and in the Rugby World Cup final.

[Tony Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes sports books can be hard going. Not so here with All Blacks Captain and Greg McGee dishing up an honest but expressive book about the player and leader who is at the very pinnacle of the game of rugby. You get to share the passion he has for the game, along with the grit and determination that make him one of the all-time greats, probably the best player and leader of the game in New Zealand, the "unofficial" home of the game. McCaw hasn't always had it his way, two Rugby World Cups without bringing the trophy home, one of them as leader. So, the contest at home in 2011 was more than important to him, the team, the coaches, to the whole country. Fortunately this time the All Blacks did bring home the bacon, with McCaw overcoming a serious foot injury and somehow managing to lead from the front. McCaw is no bull-headed sportsman, he's a deep thinker, a one-time academic, and with a passion for glider flying that almost matches his love of the 15 man game. I guess it shows that i also share his enthusiasm for the oval ball sport but I wouldn't have spared the rod if I thought McCaw and McGee's efforts weren't up to par. They are, and its a very satisfying read.

[Darkpool · Rating 5 out of 5]

An old family friend described this as the best rugby book he'd ever read. Rob's the kind of guy who has read a lot of rugby books. Me, not so much. I went through a bit of a phase of reading sports books in the '80's, but really not bothered in more recent times, so Rob's high opinion probably carries a bit more weight than mine!

I think this would be a fantastic book for a young player. There seemed to be a lot of detail about goal setting, having a plan and getting the right head-space. All the stuff about planning & training for the unexpected I thought had the potential to turn on lights in the brains of high school aged kids.
I also liked the way the story was structured, with the narrative being based around the journey between the 2 world cups. It gave the book a really strong shape, and I guess this is the difference between having a sports journalist and a successful novelist as the ghost writer. Having said that, I also felt the voice sounded authentic.
If you're not that interested in rugby tho - give this a miss.

[Jeremiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

i picked this book because its about one of the best all blacks. i learned that richie was a hard worker that didn't give up. its interesting that he has been all blacks captain for a long time but he has only won the RWC once.

[Artemis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biographies aren’t usually the sorts of books i gravitate towards when selecting something new to read, but i’d be buggered if i couldn’t get my hands on this one. Seeing the Mighty All Black Richie McCaw show a side (pun not intended) of himself that was hidden for years, makes me openly (pun not intended) respect him more than i have. I understand his tunnel vision. I understand now why he refused to attend Prince William’s wedding. He is very epitome of keeping your eyes on the ball, in a manner scarcely talked about. Whats more is that he’s very genuine in spite of the fame that comes with being a kiwi rugby player. McCaw wasn’t just a good skipper, he’s the best there’s ever been.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm way behind the eight ball with finally reading this book after a decade of it sitting on my bookshelf. Even thought it maybe a bit out of date now, it was still a good read getting Richie's side of some very significant moments in his career and life. The book covers it all from his upbringing and throughout his record-breaking and groundbreaking career as the most successful All Blacks captain ever.

The legacy Ritchie has left behind on the game of Rugby is evident in every page - the hard work and sacrifice he made to make his dreams come true and to become one of the best rugby players of all time. This is a insight read behind the scenes of his life during this time.

[North Harbour · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book spends most of its time trying to give readers an insight into what it takes to prepare for test match rugby, which on the face of it seems like a reasonable thing for a rugby biography to do. The problem is that stuff is pretty generic and doesn't need another entire book devoted to it.
McCaw decided to stay away from his personal life, which is fair enough, but the passages about his love of gliding were kind awful to be honest.
To me the book was at its best when it gave blow by blow descriptions of test matches from the player's point of view. Richie McCaw is a once in a generation player and his observations of a game as it develops are genuinely interesting and I would have liked to see more of them in the book. (Although filling a book with detailed game description wouldn't exactly set best seller lists alight).
Unlike the player it describes, this book is pretty mediocre, which is a shame because I don't think rugby has ever got the literature it deserves.
In my opinion it's the best spectator sport in the world - it offers the perfect mix of strategy, skill, vision and physical courage. It's also a big part of the culture in New Zealand and a few other countries - surely there are writers out there good enough to make something interesting out of that.

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

While waiting in line today for the All Black Captain,and one of the great Rugby Players ever,Richie McCaw, to sign my book, I read it from cover to cover.
If you are after a book that details this New Zealand icon's private life, this is not the book for you, If you want a book that details his rugby career, then it could interest you.
I purchased this book thinking I would get an insight into this great sportsman’s life, but he is, from all appearances, a very private man. His Private life is just that, His private life.
The book is not well written and I had already told Whitcoulls staff, if I miss out on getting it signed, I was going to ask for a refund, after all I had finished it, and without his signature in it, it was worth nothing to me.
I have no doubt in my mind though, the person who is getting this for Christmas will be over the moon, not because of this being a “great” book, but because it is a signed copy of his all time Rugby Hero. For this alone it was worth using my lunch hour to stand in a long, long queue.

[Mikaere Wiki]

The Open Side
Extended Text Response
Author: Richie McCaw, Greg McGee

Q1: Who is my favourite character and why?
Tis question is an easy one that is why i chose it. My favourite character is Richie McCaw the main and pretty much only character in this book. Richie McCaw is my favourite character because even before reading this book he was my idol. Growing up and playing rugby as a kid i always looked up to Richie McCaw and this book demonstrates just how big of a leader he is to young kiwi rugby players and even those he leads in the might All Blacks.

Q9: What did this text make you think about? Why?
This text made me think about the future. What it would be like to be such a role model and play rugby at a high professional level. My dreams to aspire to be an All Black follow behind Richie McCaw. I wanna be like him. I want to take on the path of being an All Black but i always doubt myself and say i can't, but when i read this book it really lifted my hopes up and makes me push on harder!!

Mikaere Wiki

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written around a four year time period from 2007 where The All Blacks were knocked out of the rugby world cup in the quarter finals stage to the world cup in NZ in 2011. With snippets of Richie's early playing rugby career, the book focuses on the psychological and physical journey Richie undertakes in assessing the All Blacks down fall in 2007 to be part of the winning team in 2011 ensuring the lessons have been learn t, and including his playing for the Crusaders.

The book is full of insight into his mind and playing patterns with chapters detailing almost minute by minute game accounts which is good if your heavily into rugby play and tactics although at times I found it a bit heavy to read.
I found the book an eye opener and it gave me lots to think about in how much time the players spend travelling around the world to play games and the effects of this on the body, the friendships that are made and of the earthquakes in Christchurch.

Good read.

[Logan Sowter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously enjoyed reading Richie McCaw:the open side. i chose to read this because of my memories of the rugby world cup and my relief when New Zealand had won. I felt i as a kiwi i had to read it in order to understand the background to that emotional time. I was not disappointed. The story is written in a non nonsense sort of way that I could see Richie doing it himself, focusing on the action and less on what was going on around him. I felt some of the ‘tunnel’ described by him if only as a small shadow of what the reality must have been like. The intensity of his focus is incredible. Every kiwi should read this book to best understand the great man and the game most of us adore. And for those that live beyond our shores, it is a way of getting a look into the religion that kiwis call rugby. kiwis do not have many heroes. You have to do something special – climb a big mountain, or crack open an atom or two but Richie would be up there too.

[Richmond Seve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This text is a good one about a well known man and leader for new zealand also is a inspiration to young althetes in nz. What this text made me think about was that i could be like him if i worked hard in school and do the basic stuff right and also was a part in there that wanted motivated me for my career in the future that you just need the skills to be a good leader.This text also reminded me of other rugby hereos for me like Jonah Lomu , Brian Lima and my favourite the Tuilagi Brothers because it says that there will be big players out there that are physical on the field but if there don't have the mentality then they won't last very long on the field.

[Carl Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very simply written book, that gives the reader a fly on the wall look into Ritchies life. You can almost feel the moods change in the book - when we are learning about his love of gliding he is at his most relaxed. When he is on test duty you can feel the tension. Not many major rvelations into his life and you dont find much out that wouldnt be available in the public domain. Worth a look

[Keepa Wiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A hero in our country and to many Kiwi boys, It was interesting to know what his life growing up was like. It is also very inspirational to read, learning about his setbacks and him bouncing back was pretty cool. overall, I enjoyed this book, because I can relate to it and I took a lot from this book.

[Fraser Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because it is about the struggles and the triumph that Richie McCaw and the All Blacks faced as they searched for world cup glory.This book is about Richie McCaw, his personal life and his rugby career and the effort he put in to reach the top. This book is enjoyable, interesting and is even better because it has some picture of him from back in the day.

[Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall enjoyed this a lot, it is a lot better than a lot of other rugby biographies going around. However, the chapter about the World Cup Final bored me. I saw the game, I don't need a play by play description, I wanted more feelings, more emotion, more insight.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie McCaw's story is set mainly between the 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cups with a few excusions into his earlier years. I really enjoyed his telling of how he saw certain matches. His captaining of the winning 2011 World Cup All Black team with a broken foot was some feat.

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit, you need to be a rugby tragic to really enjoy this on. That is ok as you probably would not pick it up unless you already are.

[Ruth Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific insight to a master of the game. The best biography I have ever read.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a book about rugby. Lucky I like rugby.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start and finish - dragged a bit in the middle

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is lots of remembering of rugby games in this book but I found it an easy and interesting read.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real ripper, as a new reader of sport autobios I was pretty in to it. You also feel like a real southern man when you carry a book with Richie's face emblazoned upon it.

[Racheal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it difficult to read the bits about Cardiff ... still.