Richie relishes dry conditions
25 Jul 2009
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw says his team will look to get the ball to the wings as often as possible.
The Kiwis weren’t blessed with prime conditions for last week’s Tri-Nations opener, but they stuck to the basic tenets of Test rugby to grind out a win over Australia. They relied on territorial appreciation and a stern defence to see them through, and while they won’t deter from the blueprint, McCaw said they would try be more expansive if the situation allows.
‘We’d like to have a bit of a go, that’s what we attempt every week if we can,’ McCaw told keo.co.za. ‘It’ll be nice to have good weather for a change, but first you have to win that contest up front. It would be great to get the ball to Rocks [Joe Rokocoko] and Sivi [Sitiveni Sivivatu].’
Although no rain is forecast in Bloemfontein on Saturday, the temperature is expected to drop to a minimum of negative four and a high of just 13. Coach Graham Henry said they would have preferred a 3pm kick-off.
‘The dry conditions should help us and the way we want to play,’ said Henry. ‘We would have liked the earlier kick-off with the sun on our backs, but that’s not our decision and it was made for other reasons [broadcasting times].’
Although not all the tickets have been sold for the fixture, McCaw said South African grounds still provide an imposing venue.
‘The atmosphere is a lot different to back home. The crowds are very close to the field and they are a bit more vocal. Sometimes it’s difficult to hear calls, but we can’t let that distract us.
‘I’m sure there’ll still be a few people there, we don’t worry about ticket sales. It’ll be nice if it’s a bit more quiet, but we can also silence the crowd through our performance.’
Both John Smit and Victor Matfield have labeled this the ultimate Test for the Boks, and McCaw had similar sentiments, without going over the top.
‘I guess it is,’ he said. ‘I feel playing in the Tri-Nations is playing the toughest two teams regularly and we have to be at our best to succeed. The Boks are always physical, and it’s a mental challenge too.’
Henry was more complimentary and tried to hand over the ‘favourites’ tag to the hosts.
‘The Boks have a settled unit and have an experienced group. They are the best side in the world right now. This is the greatest rivalry in world rugby, that’s what makes this game so special.’
By Grant Ball, in Bloemfontein
330 Comments
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25 Jul 2009, 16:23 pm
#295 Big Hit:
no
I referred to Sheridans debut when they were even worse. A joke even.
he must have been laughing by the time the RWC came around and saw the same 2 idiots.
Greenwood. I can name you plenty of centres that people would say “oh but he had lovely hands”. It usually means they couldnt think of anything else nice to say. Since when do centres get away with NOT having ‘lovely hands’ ? (De Wet Barry and Lachie Cameron excepted)..
25 Jul 2009, 16:25 pm
#300 Big Hit:
yep, those papps just dont know when to quit do they ?
25 Jul 2009, 16:25 pm
Skinstad has copied my 4 point prediction
25 Jul 2009, 16:25 pm
#296 greatest13gerber:
I remember Big Hit espousing Capriati as the Messiah of English Rugby.
25 Jul 2009, 16:27 pm
#304 cane: Jonny is the messiah, but Cipriani will do a pretty good impression.
#301 WakaNathan: Greenwood’s passing was special tho, almost on par with Larkham’s. Scored a lot of tries too, which considering he wasn’t the quickest is pretty impressive.
25 Jul 2009, 16:29 pm
I was hoping to stay awake for the match.
But….
When I lifted my last sip of “Two Oceans” SA Sav Blanc….it hit my eye socket……….
The AB’s will just have to do it without my karma.
8)
25 Jul 2009, 16:32 pm
#306 cane: you going to sleep? can’t imagine having to stay up to 3am to watch a test match.
25 Jul 2009, 16:32 pm
#303 Big Hit:
Bobby always did have loose morals.
25 Jul 2009, 16:37 pm
#305 Big Hit:
almost on a par with Larkhams.
fella, your World and mine dont live in the same universe, system or or Big Bang machine. If that wasnt aready immediately obvious. Larkham was THE Pass King, but was so good that he was a bit more than just ‘lovely hands’.
CMON BLACK !
25 Jul 2009, 16:38 pm
#306 cane:
Dont do it to yourself Cane, you know you’ll regret it in the morning.
DOH !
25 Jul 2009, 16:41 pm
Amazing finish to the penultimate stage of the TdeF. Those guys have really got guts. Now I can switch to the rugby!
25 Jul 2009, 16:41 pm
#309 WakaNathan: yep, and Greenwood’s was almost as good, awesome hands.
25 Jul 2009, 16:42 pm
sourpuss Henry lookin nervous
25 Jul 2009, 16:42 pm
#300 Big Hit:
“the one” hahahahahaha
Naas Botha hee is nott..next Wilkinsonn he is not. BIG HIT, I predictt Wilkinsonn will returnn to hiss best comee RWC..much likee he didd last RWC.
25 Jul 2009, 16:42 pm
#307 Big Hit:
Such are the demands of being a Rugby Supporter in NZ.
Even home games are played to suit NH/Saffa “pay for view” TV audiences.
Oooops that SA Sav Blanc hit my nose.
The only time we see the AB’s in daylight(when the sun shines on their backs) is when they play in SA.
And we love to see it……..no lights, firm surface, cocksure opponents.
25 Jul 2009, 16:45 pm
#314 greatest13gerber: hope you’re right about Wilkinson, don’t write Cipriani off though, he was playing with a metal pin and plate in his ankle last season.
25 Jul 2009, 16:45 pm
#312 Big Hit:
I watched his whole career here and assuredly they were not.
NZers said the same thing about Bernie McCahill. And his werent either.
25 Jul 2009, 16:46 pm
#316 Big Hit:
and the one in his head ?
25 Jul 2009, 16:46 pm
#317 WakaNathan: I also watched his whole career of both players and I disagree with you. Re-watch some old footage, Greenwood’s passing was sublime.
25 Jul 2009, 16:48 pm
#306 cane:
South Africa 1, Kiwi 0.
If it only takes a bottle of SA wine we can get rid of Suzie.
25 Jul 2009, 16:48 pm
#318 WakaNathan: that’ll come with age/maturity.
25 Jul 2009, 16:51 pm
#319 Big Hit:
No.
His passing was sublime
when you compared it to his England-rivals.
25 Jul 2009, 16:52 pm
#320 David: still need someone to open it for us David
25 Jul 2009, 16:53 pm
#322 WakaNathan: no, his passing was sublime compared to anyone, he played 10 for about half an hour v the boks in 2002, his passing was equal to that of Larkham from that position. Open your eyes, there’s a reason people talk about his passing.
25 Jul 2009, 16:56 pm
#323 poppa69:
Schalk can pop the cork with his fingers.
25 Jul 2009, 16:58 pm
game on
Kia Kaha BLACK !!!
25 Jul 2009, 17:00 pm
Bakkies doing his ritual prayer not to be sent off!
25 Jul 2009, 17:03 pm
#325 David: just like eyes
lmao
25 Jul 2009, 23:05 pm
#245 WakaNathan: Joburg’s the highest at 2000m, then Pretoria at 1700m and Bloemfontein is only 1400m above sea level.
25 Jul 2009, 23:07 pm
#329 TheTackler: enjoy the game tackles?
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