Richie McCaw admits he has to step up his game against the Springboks.
The Boks have been a persistent problem for All Blacks captain McCaw, touted as the world’s best No7.
He has played them 15 times for 10 wins and five losses. He was frequently outplayed by the Springboks in last year’s whitewash that saw the Boks win in Bloemfontein, Durban and Hamilton.
South Africa have brought Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Ryan Kankowski and Pierre Spies – all hugely physical and athletic loose forwards – here to negate McCaw’s skills at the breakdowns.
Asked if it was time to deliver personally, McCaw said: “Myself and the guys who have been around a little while have to do that.”
He conceded it was a tough time for him last year and he and his team needed to rectify that.
“I think as a whole we were frustrated we never got our game going,” he said of last year’s struggles with the Boks.
“We got beaten to the punch and out-muscled and were caught at the wrong end of the field a lot, so that makes it pretty tough on everyone. So I guess I got a little frustrated. Hopefully, it will be better this year.”
McCaw felt the All Blacks needed to produce the sort of effort they showed against Wales in the second half of the first test in Dunedin.
“The senior players really stood up and played well in that half and we have to make sure we do that and show the young fellas the way and I am certainly a big part of that.”
McCaw said if the All Blacks were to win back the Tri-Nations trophy they had to win these two tests in New Zealand.
The world champion South Africans open the defence of their Tri-Nations title at Eden Park on Saturday.
Springbok tight head prop BJ Botha believes the wet weather-conditions in New Zealand should suit him because he has played in similar conditions in Europe over the last two years.
Botha was part of a 25-man strong South African contingent that included part of the management and coaching team who arrived here on Sunday at a cold and wet Auckland airport ahead of Saturday’s first Tri-Nations encounter against the All Blacks at Eden Park.
Rugby writer Spiro Zavos said this in a article and i agree with most he said.
I’ve sometimes suggested that the Tri Nations is harder to win than the World Cup. There is an element of exaggeration in this in that by definition only three nations can win the Tri Nations. And, in theory, the 20 nations competing in a World Cup tournament can win it. In fact, only one nation outside of the Tri Nations powers has won a World Cup. That was England in 2003. And in that year, England did not have to defeat the All Blacks. South Africa won the 2007 RWC tournament without defeating either the Wallabies or the All Blacks. But to win the Tri Nations one of the teams has to defeat the other two national sides, the strongest sides in world rugby.
Spiro also said-
The All Blacks are a side in transition. Their squad contains six players who made their Test debut this season. Many of these new players have the X-factor, those dynamic skills bring match-breaking plays to their game. The issue for the All Blacks is whether these X-factor players, such as Israel Dagg, Victor Vito and Rene Ranger, can be fitted into the playing squad and then perform at Test level.
I say –
we better hit the All Blacks hard before they stand up, if we can derail them now the WC next year might just be…… Big inroads can be made this year.
The 24-year old is experiencing a dream season and his reputation could be further enhanced when he comes up against All Black captain Richie McCaw.
Flo as he is affectionately known, not only thrives on stealing balls on the ground at the breakdowns, but is also a devastating ball carrier and fearless defender. In his last Test against Italy in East London, he deservedly won the man of the match award.
The strong flanker is expected to combine with his Stormers teammate Schalk Burger and Bulls number eight Pierre Spies in the Bok loose-trio that will front up to their Kiwi counterparts in the key battle for the loose ball at Eden Park on Saturday.
Louw says he has been on the winning side for the Stormers in the Super 14 against the Blues at this venue before, but he expects the Test match against the All Blacks to be a completely different ball game.
“To beat the Blues in Auckland with the Stormers was very satisfying. Psychologically it means a lot for a player’s confidence, but facing the All Blacks on their home turf is the ultimate test. I expect the intensity to be much higher and I will have to up my game considerably,” said Louw.
“I’ve always wanted to face the All Black Haka in a Test in New Zealand. It’s something that you dream of when you grow up as a kid.
Keep the pressure up Bokke. We select right we should do well in this Tri-Nations. Can’t wait for the Tri-Nations to start.
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