"It's important we get the little things right. We've played the Pumas a few times now over the past couple of years and they have got better," McCaw said after yesterday's Captain's Run, their final trot at the park before the test.
"The last three or four have been a challenge but our big boys are up to the challenge."
McCaw stressed it wasn't just the Pumas pack which has attracted the ABs' attention.
"They have some pretty good defensive systems and their 12 [second five-eighth Juan Martin Hernandez] and 15 [fullback Joaquin Tuculet] scored some good points against the Springboks. If we give them easy ball at the right end of the field, they've got the ability to make you pay."
McCaw, who will play his 130th test, three less than All Black great Colin Meads' record of 133 games (55 tests, 78 matches), pointed out the excitement of the 51-20 win against the Wallabies in Auckland three weeks ago is still around.
"We've worked hard with the aim of backing that up and being better than last time."
McCaw said the ABs' discipline lapses in recent games had been addressed and he was confident the hosts would be on a similar page to French referee Pascal Gauzere. The All Blacks could appreciate the excitement surrounding "a small town test".
"The Ranfurly Shield is here as well ... we can feel the buzz. It was hard work getting a coffee in town this morning ... there were lots of people around, everyone wants to get involved in the occasion which is great."
When asked if he got the coffee cheap, McCaw said fellow loosie Kieran Read paid for it.
What else is going to happen?
Expect an early kicking duel as both teams search for the territorial advantage. Magpies fullback Israel Dagg should give the ABs the edge in this department ... he'd better on his home ground. However the Pumas' kicking game will be vastly improved on previous visits to New Zealand.
Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports' favourite son Dagg, wing Julian Savea, Read and second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu will be among the tryscorers in a 31-13 win to the All Blacks. All Blacks first five-eighth Beauden Barrett will also shine in the tactical kicking department and have another successful night with his goalkicking, as he did when playing for the Hurricanes at the same venue back in April.
Magpies prop Ben Franks will get at least seven minutes in his 200th first class outing, something for his MAC clubmates to toast with a lemonade or two.
The Pumas will score one try. Their steak eaters up front will enjoy long periods of parity.
Lock Tomas Lavanini, who had a training stint with the Chiefs earlier this year, will do enough to attract more Super Rugby interest. Expect the midfield pair of Hernandez and centre Marcelo Bosch to try to retain possession more than Pumas midfield duos have done in the past.
However the ball the Pumas backs kick away will feature in counter-attacks from the likes of Dagg, Savea and right wing Ben Smith, particularly in the final quarter when the Pumas forwards will be running low on petrol and the fitter ABs will be running riot.
That's the type of performance which will make the post-match chat and ales around the Ahuriri waterfront a night to remember. No pressure McCaw and co.
