McCaw ordered to rest

Richie McCaw

SUN CITY, South Africa - All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will be ordered to take at least a month off rugby starting next week, more than double that of his teammates.

Coach Graham Henry said McCaw would be given "four or five weeks" away from rugby to freshen up for the November tour of France, Wales and England, after a torrid Tri-Nations series.

"He's had more rugby than anyone else and he's played outstandingly, the best he's ever played at international level. He'll have an extended rest before he plays again," Henry said today.

McCaw has captained the All Blacks in eight of their nine tests this year, missing only the away test against Argentina in June when Jerry Collins took over the captaincy.

Henry said "one or two others" would be ordered to take a month off after they arrive home from South Africa next week.

The remainder of the Tri-Nations squad would be given an automatic two-week stand-down from the Air New Zealand Cup to freshen up.

Collins, who is usually hardest to convince he needs a break when he'd rather be playing for Wellington or his Norths club, said he would take Henry's directive on the chin.

"Two weeks is two weeks, I'll take what I can get I suppose. It has been a pretty tough last couple of weeks and everyone's entitled to a break," Collins said.

He said the players were generally feeling fit and fresh despite playing nine tests in 12 weeks and having to adjust to high altitude and hard grounds in South Africa.

"It's pretty good. Winning our first game helps -- you always feel better when you're winning."

- NZPA