Richie McCaw was in unchartered territory on Tuesday.The man regarded as one of rugbys greatest ever players -- if not the greatest -- a winner of two Rugby World Cups, seemingly endless Bledisloe triumphs and a handful of Super Rugby titles, was in unfamiliar surroundings.McCaw, in Sydney ahead of the premiere of the documentary Chasing Great, which charts his journey from talented rugby teenager to global superstar, experienced a foreign feeling: Australian admiration.Oh, yeah I probably am to be honest, when asked whether he was feeling the local love.I think youre right, a lot of the times you come over here [Australia], its leading up to the game on Saturday which has its, I guess, different feel about it.Given the fact this is in fact a Bledisloe Cup week, McCaw may have expected a more frosty or at least banter-heavy crowd at the Star Casino. But for the large show of corporates on hand, of which there was more than just a smattering of Kiwis, they were glued to his every word spliced between clips of a film which goes deep within the Test greats mind and the inner sanctum of the All Blacks.From his humble beginnings as an Otago schoolboy, the rapid ascension to the All Blacks and promotion to captain, the heartache of the shock quarterfinal loss to France in 2007 and then the ultimate double redemption of two consecutive World Cup triumphs, Chasing Great travels the highs and lows of McCaws astonishing career.And given he was there for the first eight victories of the current All Blacks record-equalling run, he will be as much a part of the new mark should New Zealand defeat Australia on Saturday to notch an 18th straight win.I think they have got better, theres no doubt, McCaw said when asked about how the All Blacks had performed since his retirement.Well Steve Hansen for a start was going to set the tone that that [a drop-off in form] wasnt acceptable if we did. But if you look at the guys that are still there, you know like Kieran Read whos captain, hes played 90-something Tests now; Owen Franks has played about that as well; so theres a lot of experience there.So having that as an excuse, you know I havent been too close to them, but just listening to the way they talk, theyve pretty much eliminated that as an excuse to drive them. And I think from my point of view and I think the same for the guys that are left, if they had dipped well that probably shows that we havent left it in the right shape that it should be.That was a big thing we talked about over the last four years, its got to be able to be whoever fills that jersey, whether youve been around for a while or not, you make sure its better. And I think thats what happened, which I guess from my point of view sitting back with a bit of pride, you know that the guys have got that drive to be better which is awesome.Chasing Great is in cinemas across Australia this weekend while McCaw will no doubt be looking forward to a spell away from the publicity trail.He will return to flying gliders and helicopters in New Zealands South Island, but given his amazing career and New Zealands rugby-mad public, he will always retain celebrity status.Asked to answer one final question on Tuesday, how he defined greatness -- an appropriate query given the films title -- McCaw responded: I think the one thing is: be consistent. Theres players that youd say had the most talent, could do the most special things; but they only did it for a small amount of time.I think people that can perform at a level thats right up there for a long period of time; that takes a lot of energy and effort. And thats what I think is a good criteria if youre going to talk about something like that.McCaws greatness few would dare question and now that we have his definition on that topic -- prolonged consistency -- a win on Saturday for the All Blacks team he left in such great shape will ensure they too ascend to the same category. Hydro Flask 32 Oz Wide Mouth Straw Lid . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. Hydro Flask Coffee Mug . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. http://www.hydroflaskcoffeesale.com/hydro-flask-standard-mouth/21-oz-standard-mouth-sport-cap.html . They reached the 100-point plateau for the fourth time in five games, bested the visiting Trail Blazers by 34 in the paint and scored 19 of the final 25 points in regulation. Hydro Flask 32 Oz Wide Mouth . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Hydro Flask 18 Oz Wide Mouth . Galatasaray said in a statement on its website Monday that Mancini signed a three-year contract and will be paid 3.5 million euros for the upcoming season, with his salary upped to 4. PARIS -- Home advantage has counted little for host nations in recent European Championship history.Since the finals tournament era kicked off in 1980, only France has kept the trophy at home -- 32 years ago with Michel Platini in his prime.France can take some home comfort from this exception ahead of the Euro 2016 semifinals starting Wednesday.First, Portugal plays Wales in Lyon one day before the French face Germany in Marseille, where captain Platini inspired his team to beat Portugal in a memorable semifinal in 1984.Still, history teaches us that a semifinal is most often the stumbling stage for home hopes.Here is how five European Championship hosts fell short of glory:---PORTUGAL, 2004Portugal just had to win the Euro 2004 final. Or so it seemed.Playing in Lisbon, with a star-packed lineup against a Greece team of journeymen.Luis Figo was in the team, along with a 19-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.Portugal even had the lesson of an opening-game loss against Greece to learn from.What could go wrong?A classic from the Greek playbook: Another 1-0 win built on tight marking, robust defense, a headed goal from a rare scoring chance.Ronaldo left the field in tears and is yet to win a title with Portugal.---NETHERLANDS, 2000How the Netherlands managed to lose a Euro 2000 semifinal is still hard to believe.After Italy was down to 10 men from the 34th minute in Amsterdam, the Dutch failed with two penalty kicks in 90 minutes and three out of four in the shootout after extra time.Italy was even without first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon who injured a hand in a pre-tournament friendly.Francesco Toldo was a capable deputy. The Fiorentina `keeper saved Frank de Boers first-half spot-kick and watched Patrick Kluivert strike the post in the second half.Though Kluivert scored in the shootout, De Boer missed again and Italy won it 3-1.---ENGLAND, 1996England has never again been as close again to tournament success since a semifinals loss to Germany.This 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium is recalled as one of the best in the era of the `Golden Goal rule, whenn the first goal scored in extra time ended the game.dddddddddddd.An English shot hit the post, what seemed a good a German goal was disallowed, and Paul Gascoigne was a toes length from connecting on a ball trickling across an empty German goalmouth.Germany, inevitably, won the penalty shootout and Andreas Moeller celebrated his decisive spot-kick with a chest-strutting, peacock pose.---SWEDEN, 1992In the last eight-team European Championship, Sweden was ousted in the semifinals by a newly unified Germany team.Sweden topped a group that eliminated a Platini-coached France and ended Gary Linekers England career when Tomas Brolin scored in a 2-1 win.A West Germany team that won the 1990 World Cup now could call on several East Germany stars including midfielders Matthias Sammer and Thomas Doll.One of the World Cup winners, Karl-Heinz Riedle, scored twice in a 3-2 win, though Denmark would stop Germany getting back-to-back titles.For Sweden, the experience was a key step toward reaching another semifinal, at the 1994 World Cup.---WEST GERMANY, 1988For once, the Netherlands got the better of neighbor and rival West Germany in a major tournament.A German team in transition from Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to Jurgen Klinsmann leading the attack lost to an exceptional Dutch team in the semifinals.The teams traded goals from penalties in Hamburg, before Marco van Basten stretched to score an 88th-minute winning goal.The match is also remembered for what happened after Ronald Koeman, who scored the Dutch equalizer, swapped shirts with Olaf Thon. Koeman then delighted visiting fans by seeming to act out wiping his backside with the white Germany shirt.Two years later, on its way to winning the World Cup, West Germany beat the Netherlands 2-1 in a bad-tempered Round of 16 match.---This story has been corrected to remove the reference to Luis Figo ending his international career at Euro 2004. He retired from the national team in 2006. Chiefs Jerseys China Cheap Nike Chargers Jerseys Cheap Nike Raiders Jerseys Wholesale Cowboys Jerseys China Cheap Nike Giants Jerseys Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys For Sale Wholesale Redskins Jerseys China Cheap Nike Lions Jerseys Packers Jerseys China Cheap Vikings Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Panthers Jerseys Hoodies Cheap Saints Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Nike Buccaneers Jerseys Cardinals Jerseys China Cheap Rams Jerseys Hoodies Cheap Nike 49ers Jerseys Seahawks Jerseys China Bears Jerseys China Cheap Nike Bills Jerseys Ravens Jerseys China Wholesale Falcons Jerseys China ' ' '