McCaw calls off French assault

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw has insisted that his bitter criticism of France, who he accused of “filthy” play in the World Cup final, had been taken out of context.

McCaw had also said he was surprised French centre Aurelien Rougerie was not cited over the alleged gouge late in the October 23 final, which New Zealand won 8-7.

“They were taken out of context. I was at a dinner and was talking with someone and I simply said I was surprised that Rougerie had not been cited by the disciplinary officer,” McCaw told French radio station RMC.

“I was really irritated by the way my words were reported.”

According to Fairfax Media McCaw has had these scathing comments to make about Rougerie’s rake across his eyes in the final.

“The French are worse when they are scared…. They were as bad as they have been and were going for the eyes,” he said at a business function in Christchurch.

“My eye was a bit sore for a while and I was struggling to see for a bit. I was surprised they didn’t cite him.”

The 30-year-old also confirmed to the Daily Telegraph that he has no interest in continuing his career in Europe, as New Zealand is where his heart is.

“It doesn’t really interest me,” he said regarding t the prospect of playing overseas.

“I love playing my rugby in New Zealand, it’s where I’m happy.”

McCaw was also adamant that he isn’t ready to follow veteran England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson into international retirement just yet.

“Jonny’s a little bit older and it comes down to whether the thing that gets you up in the morning starts to flicker a bit. That’s obviously what he’s decided and that’s what is ahead of me at some point,” he said.

AFP and rugby365.com