Former All Black captain Buck Shelford (left) and incumbent Richie McCaw share a joke at Waikato Stadium yesterday. Photo / Sarah Ivey
All Black captain Richie McCaw seemed free of the ankle trouble that sidelined him recently when he fronted up to dozens of admiring schoolchildren in Hamilton yesterday.
But the outstanding flanker put himself at further risk - this time from repetitive strain injury - as the demands of
professional rugby kept him busy signing arms, backs, rugby balls and whatever else the fans could put in front of him at Waikato Stadium.
The All Blacks leave for South Africa today and must win their remaining two matches to retain their Tri-Nations title.
Recent history favours the Springboks at Newlands, where they beat the All Blacks 22-16 in 2005, but McCaw said the team couldn't wait.
"It's always a hell of a challenge going to South Africa ... The stands [in Newlands] are really close and she's like a shoebox really - it's a hell of an atmosphere to play in."
His undefeated predecessor, Wayne "Buck" Shelford, agreed the assignment in the republic was a "bloody tough one" but believed the All Blacks could still win.
"But that's only if they play the way they did against Australia last weekend."
In between posing for photographs, endless handshakes and back slaps, Shelford said the highly publicised departure of Sonny Bill Williams to rugby union was "possibly a little disappointing" and "maybe lacking in professionalism".
But he said his future probably lay in the centres or as a blindside flanker.
"He's the guy who tends to break the line and offload in various forms ... He's got very good skills and his hand-eye co-ordination is outstanding."
All Black centre/wing Richard Kahui said that while Williams had "all the attributes", he had never seen him play the 15-a-side game.
