Richie McCaw, does he still have plenty to offer?
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen disagrees Richie McCaw is a fading force but insists neither he, nor his captain, will be afraid to make the right call to end his illustrious career.
On either side of the Tasman, there are growing concerns an ageing McCaw won’t make it to next year’s World Cup.
AAP
At 33, the 128-Test great’s best years are behind him and even his most respectful admirers, like former Wallabies skipper Nathan Sharpe, hold doubts he will continue to justify his starting selection in 2015.
Referees are also more prepared than ever to penalise him at the breakdown – as shown by Craig Joubert’s match-deciding decision in this month’s Super Rugby final against the NSW Waratahs.
With Sam Cane and Matt Todd in form, New Zealand has other specialist No.7s to choose from but Hansen maintains McCaw remains his long-term leader.
“He’s playing well,” he told AAP, pointing to his effort in last week’s 12-12 draw with Australia. “His work rate is tremendous and he’s leading well.”
McCaw was credited with 20 tackles and two turnovers at ANZ Stadium, but was penalised three times by Jaco Peyper.
However, Hansen said Peyper admitted in the lead-up to Saturday’s second Test at Eden Park that he got one wrong – due to the flanker’s speed at the ruck.
“We got an apology,” he said. “It was done so quickly and the referee thought the picture didn’t look right so he penalised him.”
While Hansen believes fans and critics should have more faith in the All Blacks skipper, he acknowledged time is a factor as he turns 34 at the end of this year.
With the World Cup now 13 months away, the coach pulled up short of saying he was confident McCaw would have the same influence defending the title in England.
“I’m confident that while he has got the desire, his performance will be of high enough quality,” he said. “And I’m also confident that if he doesn’t think it is, and we don’t think it is, then we’ll make the right change.
“I can understand why people over here say that he won’t [make the World Cup] because they are worried that he won’t.
“And I understand why they are saying it in Australia because they don’t want him to make it.
“Human nature being what it is, if you have a fear because you really want something to happen you become a little bit fearful that it might not.”
Speaking of McCaw, he senses an edge in the All Blacks’ camp but says they need to put words into actions against the Wallabies in Auckland on Saturday night.
The teams are backing up from a 12-12 draw in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney, an outcome that denied New Zealand a record 18th Test win in a row.
The All Blacks came away unhappy with how they went at a wet ANZ Stadium and McCaw said the result felt more like a loss.
“When you review the game on Monday, it was a similar sort of situation, and that puts guys in the front of their seats,” he said on Friday.
“We have a bit of edge there, but it’s all words so far. It’s about putting it into action tomorrow.”
Australia have been McCaw’s most-familiar opponents in his 128-Test career, having faced them 32 times.
He drew an analogy between this week’s build-up and that after the first Bledisloe Test six years ago, which the Wallabies won 34-19.
The All Blacks bounced back to prevail 39-10 in Auckland, before also claiming the last two trans-Tasman Tests that year.
“There have been occasions where, with a week apart, things change a lot,” he said.
“I just think back to 2008. We got put to the sword in Sydney and there was a fair bit of edge that week.
“But just because you’re a little disappointed last week doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to come out (on top).”
Unlike last weekend, the conditions are forecast to be dry at Eden Park.
McCaw said both teams would think that suited them, but the key would be who won the battle up front and could get front-foot ball.
He felt his pack did well in the opening stages of game one, but let the Wallabies’ forwards back into the game and then have the upper hand over the second spell.
One big incentive for New Zealand is that victory will mean they lock up the Bledisloe Cup for a 12th successive year with one match to play.
They do have history on their side. They haven’t lost to Australia at Eden Park since 1986 or to any nation since 1994.
A major talking point from the Sydney Test was the refereeing.
South African official Jaco Peyper whistled a series of free kicks against the All Blacks over the scrum pre-engagement and also showed them two yellow cards.
However, McCaw said the All Blacks “would be kidding ourselves” if they believed the difference in that match was that decisions not going their way.
“We need to focus on what we can and make it as easy as possible for the guys to whistle,” he said.
“If we do that, hopefully we don’t have any excuses for things you may not agree with.”