The Rugby Geriatric Brigade of NZ

 Yeah, you're probably right about McCaw and Carter. Its a difficult issue for any coach to deal with their ageing stars. These two players are national heroes and Hansen is in the unenviable position of deciding their futures. I just hope he has the courage to make the right decision at the right time. It would be best if Carter and McCaw retired before being pushed out the door. 
Anyways, its not an uncommon problem for coaches to decide whether or not to play or bench their ageing stars. It happened to Gatland last year when he dropped B.O.D from his Lions squad. Gats decision was met with vehement opposition from angry fans who thought it was premature to drop the UKs greatest centre of the modern era. In the end Gats decision was right but it was a tough call nonetheless. 
In 2011 deVilliers was faced with a similar quandary with regards to John Smit. Smit had been a faithful servant to SA'n rugby and Piete was loathe to drop him from the run on XV. The net effect was that the worlds best hooker was sat on the bench whilst the less capable incumbent was given pride of place. We all know how that story ends. Who knows how things may have changed had Bismarck been given the opportunity to star at the RWC. I think its fair to say that de Villiers backed the wrong horse.
Now Hansen is in the same position. Arguably, his dilemma is much greater than deVilliers or Gatland. McCaw and Carter have 5 IRB player of the year awards between them. I dread to think of the number of trophies they have both won. It will take some major cahones to drop these blokes from your team but the time has come where he needs to consider it seriously. Its no secret that Hansen is hoping that he can squeeze one more RWC from these 2 players but it just may be a bridge too far. Im happy to reserve judgement until the conclusion of this years Test series provided Hansen has contingency players at the ready should they fail to deliver. 
Anyways, I agree Mike. It is time for Kiwis to consider an AB team minus the Mighty McCaw and Carter. 

Carter even if he is past his best, I think in a world cup match he is going to out play any flyhalf- as long as he stays injury free. He is having repeat injuries which is a sign of age or/and general wear and tear. Barrett looked good last year, but Cruden has been average at test level

I am not a medical doctor but I doubt someones thumb is stronger in their 20s than when in their 30's. 
A thumb injury is a freak injury and I doubt age would really have anything to do with this- unless Mccaw has a history of breaking his thumb, which I am confident this is not the case.  

Mccaw was not as good last year as what he was in previous years, but did he not make the final pass in the match winning try against the Irish? 
The World cup is going to be on the slow pitches of the Northern Hemishpere where space is less essential so the aging players will still be effective. 

 Nah, it was Dane Coles who made that last pass in the Irish Test. 

 well Mikey if our lads are so decrepit why arent  your lot winning all the silver ? 

 "In 2011 deVilliers was faced with a similar quandary with regards to John Smit. Smit had been a faithful servant to SA'n rugby and Piete was loathe to drop him from the run on XV. The net effect was that the worlds best hooker was sat on the bench whilst the less capable incumbent was given pride of place."

Hmmm, not quite so. Your point is valid but the example flawed. Bismarck had a terrible Super campaign in 2011 and showed little else at test level. In fact, a sharper ref would have red carded him for that throat job against that Samoan. He is good, but has yet to live up to that reputation, even last year he blew our campaign.

As per McCaw and Carter? McCaw is a talisman in name only. It was always Carter who carried the team of the past, but New Zealand do have capable options now anyway. I don't see this being a problem at all, New Zealand will carry on as it did last year but without them. The depth is there to cope with the transition.

 McCaw and Carter are young puppies - why, back in my day .........
Strict orders have been given to McCaw and Carter to win one more RWC and then move to the South of France to retire .

way too much being made of the whole time for king richie and carter to retire issue, of course retirement is on the horizon, as both are on the wrong side of 30.
but RWC is less than a year and a half away, and thats where McCaw will retire after winning us the RWC.

McCaw
king richies outings for the crusaders have been off the last few seasons. between sabbaticals and injuries, he hasnt been able to get back into his normal groove and just rip things up.
IMO, he is one of many players who while they play hard all the time, they save their best for when its time to don the black uniform of the greatest rugby team the universe has ever known, the mighty mighty All Blacks.

comments regarding McCaws performance the last few years been below par have been hogwash (theres a word i wont be using again, o_O).
in 2012 when carter won the IRB player of the year award, it was McCaw who should have won it, as he was clearly the most influential player for the All Blacks in a dominant year which saw us lose only one test (FYI same year that Boks lost three and had 2 draws).

i had posted many detailed threads with perfect time stamped examples on utube clips, as well as all the stats where admittedly not all was flattering, but showed that McCaw had contributed a lot ore than not only the opposition, but his teammates, especially the one where McCaws influence at the breakdown where he was consistently getting to the breakdown to contribute by being one of the first players there.
the multiple threads i have posted on the matter were always countered with opinions, but nothing of substance which is par for the course around here.

suntzu is correct in one aspect, once McCaw and carter for that matter are out of the All black picture for good, nothings going to change, the All blacks will continue to be the most dominant rugby force the world has ever seen, for that is the natural order of life.

dan carter
carter has already stated last year that he dosent see the 2015 as being his last year, which tells me that he has his sights set on the lions tour in 2017.

carter has started to suffer injuries at a more frequent rate than ever before (still nothing like goosen though), but at his worst, hes still better than anyone out there both in NZ and overseas.

but since 2012, the All Blacks have shown that the flyhalf is a zero issue, aaron cruden has more than proven capable of handling the All Black 10 duties, and we all saw barrets performance last year which added so much merit to the comments which said NZ had the top 3 flyhlaves in the world.

hell even when carter, cruden and barret were all out injured, we had tom taylor step in against heavyweights the wallabies and he did a fine job indeed, further testament that the All blacks flyhalves stock is in the best shape of its life to handle the post carter era.

i hope carter bows out after the 2015 RWC though, is just seems more fitting that way.

Haha! Should we be surprised? The dribbling half-wit Sun Tzwat . . . the same dullard who thinks Johan Goosen is crap, who thinks Morning Stain is a creative genius and who would like to see Wille Le Roux shifted to fly-half . . . reckons Bismarck du Plessis is crap!
Sun Tzwat is becoming a lot like Baboon-ou . . . you almost want these clowns to disagree with your rating of a player because in doing so, they give you so much credibility!
LMAO!

I would feel better as a Bok supporter if McCaw and Carter do not make the World Cup. Not that I am hoping they get injured but they both are difference makers and on form are the best in their position with the unique ability to affect games.

As much as I make fun of McCaw, I thought his form last year was good enough - I not am sure he is just keeping it in the tank until the World Cup rolls around.

And I would rather face a team with Cruden at flyhalf than Carter.

Yes, NZ has depth but these two guys are special talents

 well said oimatey ,there are one or two boks we would rather stay at home with the missus but hopefully you guys will continue with the wonderful morning stain  ,hes the best so you really ,really must keep him !And whats with the cricket ? arent you guys supposed to be good at it ? are the Black Caps twice as good as the proteas cos they beat india twice ?