All Blacks face double-edged sword

By DANIEL GILHOOLY

DURBAN - The All Blacks must contend with a double-edged sword in a Tri-Nations rugby tournament which can produce little more than quick-fixes for supporters, says flanker Richie McCaw.

The balancing act required to peak for seven tests leading up to the only prize that really counts -- the World Cup -- is a challenge for every All Blacks player.

It meant lifting themselves for the white-hot atmosphere at Loftus Versfeld against old foes the Springboks early on Sunday (1am NZT), all the while knowing that the result will be little more than newspaper wrapping in four months.

"We are focused on these four games but we're looking at the big picture," McCaw said.

"On Saturday we have to play to the peak of our performance and we have to do that each week.

"But you have to build towards the end of the year. Come World Cup time, you look back on the Tri-Nations and if you do well at the World Cup, people won't talk about it.

"But right here and now, it's the most important thing and if the All Blacks are to do well and for us to perform is hellishly vital and everyone realises that.

"Saturday we'll see whether we're on the right track."

Victory would go a long way towards helping New Zealand defend their Tri-Nations title. They won the equivalent game in Durban last year, which proved to be the only away victory by any team in the six games.

The All Blacks completed preparations at their Durban base today and were to fly to Pretoria tomorrow. McCaw said it was a tough mental exercise to go from their resort surrounds to one of world rugby's most hostile stages.

The Springboks said this week that passion would play a key role in the match. They used it to beat Australia last week and are sure to spurred on by a crowd farewelling their local hero Joost van der Westhuizen, the most capped Springbok playing his last game on home soil.

The biggest winning margin in Tri-Nations history came at Loftus when the home side hammered the Wallabies 61-22 in 1997.

South African coach Rudolf Straeuli expected a close tussle tomorrow, regarding the All Blacks as sterner opponents than the Australians.

"Both of those sides were beaten by England and if you look at the two different games, I thought New Zealand was the better side," Straeuli said.

Captain Corne Krige said the All Blacks should have beaten England.

"I think they were really good. If they had taken their points against England, maybe they could have won that game.

"We'll show them the necessary amount of respect."

South Africa's interest in England stems from their crucial World Cup pool encounter with the world No 1 side in Perth on October 18.

The losers face a far more difficult assignment to win the tournament, including a quarterfinal against the All Blacks.

Teams:

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga, Joe Rokocoko, Aaron Mauger, Carlos Spencer, Steve Devine, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Reuben Thorne (captain), Greg Somerville, Keven Mealamu, Carl Hoeft. Reserves: Caleb Ralph, Daniel Carter, Justin Marshall, Rodney So'oialo, Brad Thorn, Kees Meeuws, Mark Hammett.

South Africa: Brent Russell, Stefan Terblanche, Andre Snyman, Ashwin Willemse, De Wet Barry, Louis Koen, Joost van der Westhuizen, Juan Smith, Corne Krige (captain), Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Wickus van Heerden, Richard Bands, Danie Coetzee, Lawrence Sephaka. Reserves: to be named.

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland).

- NZPA