Home victory vital for McCaw
5 Aug 2011
Richie McCaw refuses to view Saturday’s Test in a World Cup context but is nevertheless determined to win in New Zealand’s last home game before the global tournament.
There’s plenty at stake for both teams this Saturday. The Wallabies will want to end a 25-year drought in Auckland, and score their first win on New Zealand soil in a decade. The All Blacks will want to ensure that Eden Park remains a fortress, and they will also want to retain the Bledisloe Cup and stay in pole position on the Tri-Nations log.
I wrote on Monday that the game could be a dress rehearsal for the World Cup final, as it’s possible that New Zealand could host Australia in the decider. On Friday, McCaw said that the All Blacks cannot afford to look that far ahead.
‘History shows that what happens now doesn’t count for a lot down the track,’ he told stuff.co.nz. ‘We’d love to have a good performance here. It’s the last time in New Zealand before the World Cup and obviously at the stadium [that will host the finals].
‘We’ve got to be careful we don’t get carried away with down the track. We’ve got to make sure we perform well this weekend. The Bledisloe is on the line and it would be nice if we hold onto that for another year.
‘If we do the job right then hopefully come October, if it plays out like that, it might help then. But we’ve got to make sure we get the job right for a big Test.’
The Wallabies have been vocal this week, and some of the All Blacks’ players and management have responded by calling the Aussies arrogant and lacking respect. McCaw said that the hosts won’t be sidetracked by the sideshows and that the real talking would be done on the field.
‘It’s what happens tomorrow night, not what happens beforehand. I know with our team we just want to get into it so all the talk and that sort of carry-on means nothing.’
23 Comments
5 Aug 2011, 10:41 am
Aussie Seed Dragons
5 Aug 2011, 10:50 am
The Aussies can sow a major seed of doubt in the All Blacks heads this coming weekend. But I think New Zealand will win tomorrow.
5 Aug 2011, 11:35 am
I have a small gut feeling that the Aussies are gonna take this one. Not enough to put money on it but still a feeling. Weepu no match for Genia and Digby can run circles around Sivivatu. The Aussie front row and pack has to lead the way, which will be hard as 2 of their first choice front rowers are injured, but this will be possible with Horwill and Pocock leading the way…. Gonna be a cracker of Test!!
5 Aug 2011, 11:54 am
Hate to say it but I think aussies going to win, they had physical battles and learned a lot more from playing against samoa and boks than Nz learned from cruising in 2nd gear past fiji and boks. Aussies by less than 4 points
5 Aug 2011, 12:01 pm
Crockett
Mealamu
Franks
Thorn
Franks
Kaino
The above to CRUSH Oz upfront-physicality and Mccaw/Read to do what they do best at breakdwon and link with backs.
This is not Reds vs Saders.
This is test match rugby at Eden Park with a team(NZ) that has 766 caps.
Oz only chance of winning is talented midgets in Genia,Cooper,O’Connor,Beale…..but with rubbish to no ball…be very hard.
5 Aug 2011, 12:45 pm
I got that choking feeling…
Whooa that choking feeling…
I got that choooking feeling…
Now its gone…gone…gone…
Gone away.
5 Aug 2011, 12:45 pm
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-4: You may have a point.
5 Aug 2011, 13:10 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-6:
Be careful, look what happened to David Carradine.
5 Aug 2011, 13:11 pm
@Nils(Nils)-8:
5 Aug 2011, 13:18 pm
All Blacks to make it 17 out of last 18 tests.
The Blacks will smash the Aussies up front, Carter will have a absolute field day with time and space as opposed to Cooper who will be on the back foot all day long.
The Aussie backline will have no quality ball to run with.
All Blacks 35 Wannabies 15
5 Aug 2011, 13:22 pm
ABs by 15
5 Aug 2011, 13:31 pm
ABs should win by 15+ unless
1) DC still searching for his kicking boots and/or
2) Aussies got an early advantage.
5 Aug 2011, 16:52 pm
@ lawsy25(lawsy25), stew(stew), Nils(Nils), you lads are way too optimistic, Aussie will give you a run for your money, if a safa backs aussie to win then you know that you in shiit. All blacks will do well in scrums, lineout and breakdown but won’t completely demolish aussies upfront. Carter will have a off day with the boot and beale, O’connor and cooper will cause havoc at the back, Nz will have to play like lomu on steroids to win this game! Believe it my “friendly with sheep” friends! Hehe
5 Aug 2011, 16:55 pm
@ lawsy25(lawsy25), stew(stew), Nils(Nils), BAA BAA BAA BAA BAAPROREN! Hahaha!
5 Aug 2011, 17:05 pm
MEN v boys, Blacks will run in six tries and the fastest running will be the medics dragging sick marsupials back into the bush. Expect to see one marsupial, with wandering hands, to be cut in two by tackles from Hell.
5 Aug 2011, 19:16 pm
Aidoc.. hehe That is so funny!! .
6 Aug 2011, 01:46 am
@RugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-13: Cautiously optimistic, I know if there are pests to cause trouble it’s them.
6 Aug 2011, 05:44 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-5: Have to agree. I think the AB’s by about 15-20, first half possibly quite even and the Wannabees may even hit the sheds with an advantage. The power of the forwards will wear the Wallys down, as will the midfield. Gear against O’Conner ?
Looking at our forward pack and platform we have the ascendancy all the way.
No disrespect to OZ, they have improved out of site without a doubt- but I dont think this will be their game, unfortunately they have some amazing players but probably not enough to get them over the line in this one.
Matching off head to head we have the strength, talent and experience by about ten over fifteen.
Still it will be a cracker of a game.
6 Aug 2011, 05:48 am
Well history has it against the Wobblies… I don’t see them winning… but if they do break the hoodoo… it’s going to shake the rugby world cup tree in many ways…
6 Aug 2011, 05:54 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-19: The ozzies will do all their own tree shaking if they win,loud and clear.
6 Aug 2011, 06:25 am
Conditions in the Home of the Bledisloe are cloudy, a consistent breeze and cool with the pressure valve slowly building to levels of Optimus Prime Time.
180mins to kick-off
lets get ready to
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrR U M B L E !!!
6 Aug 2011, 06:47 am
It’s pretty damp here, I hope it doesn’t become a scrappy affair.
6 Aug 2011, 11:38 am
I was wrong. All blacks were extremely potent. Carter was superb. Aussies have got a lot of homework to do. Boks can beat both these sides with our first choice players and correct tactical game plan and decision making. But you have to say that the All Blacks are definite favourites for Bill.
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