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McCaw blasts England
Author: Deniz Vehbi
Posted on:
01 December 2008 - 8:44 PM
Category:
Rugby Union
England have had the Autumn international series from hell because the Guinness Premiership is over-run with highly-paid foreign mercenaries, according to New Zealand captain Richie McCaw.Martin Johnson has suffered a baptism of fire as victory over the Pacific Islands was followed by heavy defeats to Australia, South Africa and New Zealand at a combined points total of 102-26.
Youngsters such as Danny Cipriani, Danny Care and Ugo Monye were taught a lesson by their southern hemisphere opponents.
And All Blacks skipper McCaw says England will take years to recover because they have allowed foreigners to rule the roost in the domestic game.
The flanker is adamant Johnson cannot be blamed as he doesn't have the depth of talent to choose from due to the influx of foreigners lured by high wages, such as All Blacks Luke McAlister, Nick Evans, Chris Jack and Carl Hayman.
And McCaw believes it is too late to close the floodgates, giving Johnson no choice but to stick by his chastened side.
"Without a doubt the amount of foreign players coming to the Guinness Premiership is affecting the England team," said McCaw, who will play for the Barbarians against Australia at Wembley on Wednesday.
"The England guys aren't getting any game time and aren't getting exposed to rugby at a high enough level.
"But I just don't know if you can stop it now. You're going to get so many players coming over now and more who want to come over.
"As it stands I don't think it's ever going to change. A lot of guys want to play in England.
"Can Johnson change it around? Well all he can do is pick the guys who are going to be here for a while and stick with them.
"They will only become more experienced as they get older - playing the game, winning and losing, is the only way to get experience.
"At the moment there is a bit of a gap between the northern and southern hemispheres. But from a New Zealand point of view we can look back on this tour and be pretty happy!"