Volatile mix has All Blacks fizzing

Published 19 August 2009 | By Swanie
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE in Sydney – Stuff.co.nz
 
 Desperation, excitement and impatience make for a volatile mix and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw knows his team are going to have to keep a lid on things in the leadup to Saturday’s vital clash with the Wallabies.

New Zealand have to channel their emotions into the right areas as their Tri-Nations title goes on the line and the Bledisloe Cup beckons as well.

But McCaw also senses a bit of confidence surfacing in his camp and that might be the most crucial ingredient for a side eager to atone for their twin losses to the Springboks.

It’s been a long two and a half weeks since then with McCaw’s men brooding on things.

“We had some time away and it’s nice to be able to get back and put in place the things we want to get right for Saturday. I think the guys are pretty excited about it,” McCaw said, adding that there was also “a little bit” of impatience.

“We have to make sure that we don’t play the game today or tomorrow. We just have to make sure that we leave it right for Saturday.

“I think the guys understand that. Certainly the guys are pretty excited about getting out there. We’ve just got to make sure we hold them back a wee bit. But that’s a good thing.”

McCaw said that adding to his team’s challenge was the fact that the Wallabies were also smarting after getting their butts spanked twice in a row in a Tri-Nations tournament that has been upended by the Boks.

“We have to remember that we are up against a team that’s in exactly the same boat so that’s going to make for a pretty good test if you get two desperate teams,” he said.

“The thing is you have to make sure that you don’t let that get on top of you. You have to go out and execute what you are after. If you do that you give yourself a chance.

“It’s not the nicest situation to be in but you will see how good guys are at being able to get themselves back up and performing.”

From experience – the All Blacks have twice been on the end of two losses in a row under Graham Henry’s reign – McCaw said there wasn’t a massive need for motivation. The results tended to do that themselves.

“Last year the guys were pretty desperate to get it right and that’s the same this year. You don’t have to do a whole lot. Most of the guys understand that we didn’t play as well we could have and they are pretty desperate to get that right. They are pretty proud sort of guys.”

While the All Blacks might enjoy a mental edge over Robbie Deans’ Wallabies, having won three tight encounters against them in their last tests, the New Zealanders had shown similar vulnerability against the Boks this year.

McCaw believed this weekend’s test would be a lot about composure.

“We got under pressure in Bloemfontein and Durban and they (the Springboks) capitalised on that. We had an opportunity and we let it slip.

“It would be nice to take advantage of that but the way some games go, you get put under pressure and you make mistakes. That’s what disappointed us and I’m sure the Wallabies will be the same.

“So you aim to make sure that when you get your critical periods – and there’s probably a couple in each test match – you have to make the most of it or you come second.”

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