With news of this magnitude, you could almost sense the nation collectively stifling a spontaneous sharp intake of breath. The kind of reaction caused by some startling revelation, barely comprehensible.
The man who so many had felt was indestructible was showing signs of age and wanted time out. How wouldthe All Blacks cope without their leader extraordinaire for a full six months? Could Richie McCaw take that long out of the game and simply slot back in at the highest level? With half a year on the sidelines, or elsewhere, would he even want to?
Anyone who suggests that the self-imposed layoff is some show of weakness must not have been watching the Dunedin test against South Africa. McCaw certainly showed no sign that age had dimmed his spark, or endurance, and aside from what appeared to be a few hundred metres of tape, there was no signal of weakness in his oft-battered body.
Remember McCaw has been at this for a long time now, at the highest level. Lesser beings would have long since faded into obscurity. And let's not forget the time he has to devote to captaincy and promotional activities.
I must confess to having been a bit stunned when I first heard of the sabbatical, but once the surprise had worn off, I was able to support the move.
It also can be no coincidence that the news was released with the man himself out of the country on All Black duties. That, at least, saves him from much of the intense scrutiny such a decision would put him under at home.
Now the test for the All Blacks is to find a suitable replacement to lead the side while McCaw is out, and see what depth there is to warm his coveted No7 jersey until his return.
In days past, it would have been anathema for an All Black - and the captain too - to willingly give up his shirt lest they never win it back again. It is hard to see that happen to McCaw, rather the opposite. A refreshed, revitalised McCaw is something opposition players should be very fearful of, and for rugby purists and All Blacks fans, something to anticipate with relish.
